Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for a second round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States, aiming to address ongoing nuclear program concerns. The crucial discussions, mediated by Oman, are scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as reported by Nhandan.vn. This follows an initial round of talks held earlier this month in Muscat, Oman, as confirmed by Xinhua.
chinadaily.com.cn reported, The Iranian delegation, described as "diplomatic and specialized" by Iran's Foreign Ministry, is led by Araghchi, who also met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Monday. These technical discussions precede the main negotiations, highlighting the complex nature of the issues at hand, according to Modern Diplomacy.
Oman continues its pivotal role as a neutral diplomatic channel, facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi is actively involved in the mediation efforts, as noted by AL-Monitor and The Jerusalem Post. This indirect format underscores the persistent mistrust between the two nations, as highlighted by Iranian officials.
news.cn noted, A key sticking point remains Iran's uranium enrichment levels, which reached 60% purity before the Iran-Israel war in June 2025, according to Naharnet. Iran insists on its "inalienable rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)" for peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, as stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, is pushing for a deal to limit Iran's nuclear program, while also keeping military options on the table if diplomacy fails, CGTN Africa reported. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi signaled Tehran's willingness to compromise on uranium dilution in exchange for sanctions relief, but firmly ruled out zero enrichment, the BBC reported on Sunday.
moderndiplomacy.eu reported, These renewed negotiations occur amid heightened regional tensions and a backdrop of past military actions, including US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, as detailed by Modern Diplomacy. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi emphasized that Tehran would not submit to pressure and arrived in Geneva with "real ideas" for a fair agreement.
Economic considerations are also central to the talks, with Iran pressing for the lifting of long-standing US sanctions that have severely impacted its economy, Naharnet reported. Discussions reportedly include potential economic cooperation in oil, gas, mining, and even aircraft purchases, according to Xinhua.
- The current indirect nuclear talks in Geneva represent a critical juncture following the collapse of earlier negotiations and significant regional instability. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), established in 2015, aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 under President Trump, reimposing sweeping economic penalties.
- Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, despite increasing its uranium enrichment activities significantly beyond JCPOA limits since 2019, reaching 60% purity, as noted by the Arms Control Association. This escalation has raised international concerns about Iran's "breakout time" to produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon.
- Key stakeholders include Iran, seeking sanctions relief and recognition of its enrichment rights, and the United States, aiming to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and potentially broaden talks to include Iran's missile program and regional influence. Israel also remains a critical voice, advocating for "no enrichment capability" for Iran.
- Oman has historically served as a crucial mediator between Iran and Western powers, facilitating dialogue in sensitive diplomatic situations. Its continued role in these indirect talks underscores its strategic importance in de-escalating tensions and fostering communication between the estranged nations.
- The negotiations are unfolding against the backdrop of an Iran-Israel war in June 2025, which involved US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, leading to a suspension of previous talks. This military context adds urgency and complexity, with Iranian officials expressing deep mistrust due to past actions.
- Potential future developments hinge on the willingness of both sides to compromise on core issues, particularly Iran's enrichment levels and the scope of sanctions relief. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi indicated flexibility on diluting highly enriched uranium if all financial sanctions are lifted, but rejected demands for zero enrichment.
- The economic implications for Iran are substantial, with the country's economy under severe pressure from international sanctions. Any agreement would need to ensure the "real and usable" release of Iran's frozen assets abroad to be considered meaningful by Tehran, according to Xinhua.
- The involvement of the IAEA, with Director General Rafael Grossi meeting with Foreign Minister Araghchi for technical discussions, highlights the ongoing need for monitoring and verification in any potential agreement. Iran's cooperation with the IAEA has been a contentious issue, particularly after a law passed by the Iranian parliament suspended some collaborations.
