“I’m in Geneva with actual concepts to attain a good and equitable deal,” Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned. File
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Iran’s prime diplomat met with the top of the U.N. nuclear watchdog company on Monday (February 16, 2026), forward of a second spherical of negotiations with the USA over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, director-general of the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company, and mentioned he would additionally meet with International Minister Badr al-Busaidi of Oman, which is internet hosting the U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva on Tuesday (February 16).
“I’m in Geneva with actual concepts to attain a good and equitable deal,” Mr. Araghchi wrote on X. “What will not be on the desk: submission earlier than threats,” he added.
Iran open to compromise in trade for sanctions reduction
On Sunday (February 15), Iran’s Deputy International Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi signalled that Tehran could possibly be open to compromise on the nuclear concern however is in search of an easing of worldwide sanctions led by the USA.
“The ball is in America’s court docket. They must show they need to have a cope with us,” Mr. Takht-Ravanchi advised the BBC. “If we see a sincerity on their half, I’m positive that we’ll be on the street to an settlement.”
“We’re prepared to debate this, and different points associated to our program supplied that also they are prepared to speak concerning the sanctions,” he added.
Oman hosted a primary spherical of oblique talks between the U.S. and Iran on February 6.
The U.S. can be internet hosting talks between envoys from Russia and Ukraine in Geneva on Tuesday (February 16) and Wednesday (February 17), days forward of the fourth anniversary of the all-out Russian invasion of its neighbour.
Related talks final yr between the U.S. and Iran about Iran’s nuclear program broke down after Israel launched what grew to become a 12-day struggle on Iran, that included the U.S. bombing Iranian nuclear websites.
U.S. retains navy strain excessive
U.S. President Donald Trump initially threatened to take navy motion over Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests final month however then shifted to a strain marketing campaign in latest weeks to attempt to get Tehran to make a deal over its nuclear program.
Mr. Trump mentioned on Friday (February the usGerald R. Ford, the world’s largest plane provider, was being despatched from the Caribbean to the Mideast to affix different navy property the U.S. has constructed up within the area. He additionally mentioned a change in energy in Iran “can be the perfect factor that would occur.”
Iran has mentioned if the U.S. assaults, it’ll reply with an assault of its personal.
The Trump administration has maintained that Iran can don’t have any uranium enrichment below any deal. Tehran says it received’t comply with that.
Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceable functions. Nevertheless, its officers more and more threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Earlier than the June struggle, Iran had been enriching uranium as much as 60% purity, a brief, technical step away from weapons-grade ranges.
The direct assembly with Mr. Grossi is a major step after Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA following the June struggle with Israel. The 2 additionally met briefly on the sidelines of the United Nations Normal Meeting in September. The IAEA mentioned it has been unable to confirm the standing of Iran’s close to weapons-grade uranium stockpile for the reason that struggle. Iran has allowed IAEA some entry to websites that weren’t broken however has not allowed inspectors to go to different websites.
“Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% might enable Iran to construct as many as 10 nuclear bombs, ought to it determine to weaponise its program,” Mr. Grossi beforehand advised The Related Press. He added that it doesn’t imply that Iran has such a weapon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to Washington final week to induce Mr. Trump to make sure that any deal to incorporate steps to neutralise Iran’s ballistic missile program and finish its funding for proxy teams comparable to Hamas and Hezbollah.
Printed – February 16, 2026 04:45 pm IST