Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves throughout a gathering in Tehran.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Iran’s supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) that the U.S. warship deployed within the Gulf could possibly be sunk, as nuclear talks between the 2 nations began.
“We always hear that they (the U.S) have despatched a warship towards Iran. A warship is actually a harmful weapon, however much more harmful is the weapon able to sinking it,” mentioned Mr. Khamenei in a speech.
The U.S. and Iran are holding their second spherical of talks about Iran’s nuclear programme in Geneva because the U.S. ramps up its navy presence within the Center East and Iran holds large-scale maritime workout routines.
Iran started the assembly in Geneva with Omani mediators concerning its nuclear programme.
Iranian state TV reported on Tuesday (February 17) that the negotiations with the U.S. can be oblique and can focus solely on Iran’s nuclear programme, not home insurance policies together with its bloody crackdown on protesters final month.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to make use of drive to compel Iran to comply with constrain its nuclear programme. Iran has mentioned it could reply with an assault of its personal. Mr. Trump has additionally threatened Iran over its lethal crackdown on current nationwide protests.
The primary spherical of talks February 6 have been held in Oman and have been oblique. The preparations for Tuesday’s spherical of negotiations weren’t clear.
Mr. Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been travelling for the brand new spherical of talks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Budapest, Hungary, mentioned on Monday (February 16) that the U.S. hopes to realize a take care of Iran, regardless of the difficulties.
“I’m not going to prejudge these talks,” Mr. Rubio mentioned. “The President all the time prefers peaceable outcomes and negotiated outcomes to issues.”
Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi, who’s main the talks for Iran, met with the pinnacle of the UN nuclear watchdog company Monday in Geneva.
“I’m in Geneva with actual concepts to realize a good and equitable deal,” Mr. Araghchi wrote on X. “What is just not on the desk: submission earlier than threats.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday night time aboard Air Pressure One on his strategy to Washington, Mr. Trump mentioned of the U.S.-Iran talks, “I’ll be concerned in these talks – not directly – and so they’ll be essential, and we’ll see what can occur.”
(With inputs from companies)
Printed – February 17, 2026 04:50 pm IST