Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed optimism on Wednesday over the outcome of a third round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and Middle East adviser Jared Kushner.

After negotiations resumed in the wake of Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters in January, the two sides have traded threats, with the United States threatening military consequences if a deal is not reached and Iran warning of strikes on U.S. military bases in the region if it is attacked.

Trump issued an ultimatum on Feb. 19 of 10 to 15 days, but Pezeshkian nevertheless struck a hopeful tone.

“In relation to the talks, we see a good outlook, tomorrow in the meeting that Dr. Araghchi will hold in Geneva … We have tried, with the guidance of the supreme leader, to manage this process to get out of the ‘no war, no peace situation,'” he said on Iranian state TV.

In addition, Araghchi said that a nuclear deal is “within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.”

The concern over Iran’s nuclear program is tied to its ability to develop a nuclear weapon that will threaten the existence of Israel. Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but its nuclear enrichment far outstrips peaceful use and is in fact close to supporting the requirements for building a nuclear bomb.

Meanwhile, Germany has taken a firm stance against Iran’s ability to procure a nuclear bomb. Germany has insisted that Iran cease both its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and stop funding and supporting its proxy terror groups in the region, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Johann Wadephul, Germany’s Foreign Minister, said on Wednesday that Germany has “a special responsibility for the security of the State of Israel” after emphasizing the need for Iran to stop funding terror across the region.

“We expect Iran to seize the opportunity to engage constructively in the talks,” a spokesperson for Germany’s foreign office added.