Iran's foreign minister is holding talks with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog in Geneva. The meeting comes a day before Abbas Aragchi takes part in a second round of indirect negotiations with the US on curbing his country's nuclear programme.

Tehran suspended co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last year after Israel and the US attacked its nuclear facilities. That conflict also led to the collapse of Iran's preliminary talks with the US. Those discussions were aimed at reaching deal on Iran curbing its nuclear development in return for sanctions relief.

Despite the defiant tone from Tehran, the US continues to build up military assets in the Middle East. That's putting pressure on Iran to strike a deal with Washington. But the US Secretary of State is optimistic that an agreement can be reached this time.

Al Jazeera's Tohid Asadi has more from Tehran, Iran.

Karim Haggag is Director at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. He is also a Member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament.