Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi. File.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Iran’s Overseas Minister has arrived in Geneva forward of a second spherical of negotiations with america, Iranian state tv stated Monday (February 16, 2026), as Washington retains up strain on the Islamic republic.
In keeping with Tehran, “oblique” Iran-U.S. nuclear talks mediated by Oman shall be held on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), though Washington has beforehand pushed for different matters to be mentioned together with Iran’s ballistic missiles and help for regional proxies.
Tehran and Washington restarted negotiations this month after earlier talks collapsed when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing marketing campaign in opposition to Iran final June.
Appreciable uncertainty surrounds the destiny of Iran’s stockpile of greater than 400 kilogrammes of 60-percent enriched uranium that was final seen by nuclear watchdog inspectors in June.
“The Overseas Minister has arrived in Geneva on the head of a diplomatic and professional delegation to participate within the second spherical of nuclear negotiation,” Iran’s state-run IRIB wrote on its Telegram channel.
Throughout his go to to Geneva, Abbas Araghchi is anticipated to carry talks along with his Swiss and Omani counterparts in addition to the top of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company, Rafael Grossi, and different worldwide officers, Iran’s international ministry stated.
Washington has dispatched Center East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White Home confirmed on Sunday (February 15, 2026).
The newest talks comply with repeated threats from Trump of navy motion in opposition to Tehran, first over Iran’s lethal crackdown on anti-government protests, after which extra lately over the nation’s nuclear programme.
The West fears the programme is geared toward making a bomb, which Tehran denies.
On Friday (February 13, 2026), Mr. Trump stated a change of presidency in Iran can be the “smartest thing that might occur”, as he despatched a second plane provider to the Center East to ratchet up navy strain.
Iran’s Deputy Overseas Minister advised the BBC that Tehran would think about compromises on its uranium stockpile if Washington lifts sanctions which have crippled the Islamic republic’s financial system.
“If we see the sincerity on their [American] half, I’m certain we shall be on a highway to have an settlement,” stated Majid Takht-Ravanchi.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that any deal should contain the removing of all enriched uranium from Iran in addition to Tehran’s means to counterpoint extra.
“There must be no enrichment functionality… dismantle the gear and the infrastructure that means that you can enrich within the first place,” he stated throughout a speech in Jerusalem.
‘Viable’ deal
On February 6, Mr. Araghchi led the Iranian delegation in oblique talks with Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner in Muscat.
Switzerland has performed a key position in diplomatic relations between Iran and america for many years.
It has represented U.S. pursuits in Iran since Washington broke off relations with Tehran after the 1980 hostage disaster, a 12 months after the Iranian revolution.
Iranian Deputy Overseas Minister for financial diplomacy Hamid Ghanbari stated Tehran was in search of a take care of america that will generate financial advantages for each international locations, notably in sectors similar to aviation, mining and oil and gasoline, the Fars information company reported.
“For the settlement to be viable, it’s important that america additionally be capable to profit from it in areas with sturdy and fast financial return potential,” he was quoted as saying.
Revealed – February 16, 2026 12:44 pm IST