Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (February 22, 2026) expressed cautious optimism about talks with Washington, saying the discussions concerned change of “sensible proposals”, whereas Steve Witkoff, the U.S. particular envoy for West Asia, stated President Donald Trump had set clear purple strains relating to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Additionally Learn | Iran says U.S. has not requested for zero nuclear enrichment
“Iran is dedicated to peace and stability within the area. Current negotiations concerned the change of sensible proposals and yielded encouraging alerts,” Mr. Pezeshkian, a doctor-turned-moderate politician who was elected President in 2024 after the loss of life of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident, wrote in a social media submit. “Nevertheless, we proceed to intently monitor U.S. actions and have made all needed preparations for any potential state of affairs,” he added.
Additionally Learn | Iran upbeat after U.S. talks however Vance says ‘purple strains’ not met
Mr. Pezeshkian’s remark got here instantly after Oman’s Overseas Minister Badr Albusaidi stated a 3rd spherical of talks between the U.S. and Iran would happen on February 26 in Geneva. “Happy to verify U.S.-Iran negotiations at the moment are set for Geneva this Thursday (February 26, 2026) with a optimistic push to go the additional mile in direction of finalising the deal,” Mr. Albusaidi wrote in a submit. Oman mediated the primary spherical of the talks in Muscat on February 6 and the second spherical in Geneva on February 17. Whereas Iran claimed “guiding ideas” of future talks had been agreed between the 2 sides on February 17, the U.S. aspect was much less optimistic and stated gaps remained.
Mr. Witkoff, the chief U.S. negotiator with Iran, stated in an interview on Sunday (February 22, 2026) the President was “curious” on why Iran had not capitulated below American stress. “The President requested me that this morning, and he’s — I don’t wanna use the phrase pissed off… as a result of he understands he’s acquired loads of alternate options, however… he’s curious as to why they haven’t, I don’t wanna use the phrase capitulated, however why they haven’t capitulated,” Mr. Witkoff informed Lara Trump, the President’s daughter-in-law, on Fox Information.
He added that Mr. Trump is questioning “why, below this stress, with the quantity of sea energy and naval energy over there, why haven’t they arrive to us and stated, ‘we profess we don’t need a weapon, so right here’s what we’re ready to do?’”
Additionally Learn | Trump warns he’s contemplating restricted strikes as Iranian diplomat says proposed deal is imminent
The U.S. has deployed dozens of fighter jets, warships, two plane carriers, missile defence shields and gasoline tankers to the area, with the President threatening to make use of drive if Iran did not make a deal. Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any assault on the Islamic Republic would set off a regional struggle.
Mr. Witkoff added that Mr. Trump gave him and Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law, who can be a part of the negotiating group, the administration’s purple strains. “Zero, zero enrichment; we’ve to get the fabric again,” he stated, referring to Iran’s nuclear enrichment functionality and its stockpile of extremely enriched uranium. After the June 2025 assault by Israel and the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear services, Mr. Trump had claimed that the U.S. had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme. However Mr. Witkoff indicated on Sunday (February 22, 2026) that Iran nonetheless possessed extremely enriched uranium.
“They are saying it’s all a few civilian programme, but they’ve been enriching far past what’s wanted for civil nuclear use, as much as 60%. They’re in all probability per week away from having industrial-grade, bomb-making materials. That’s extraordinarily harmful, and I can’t settle for that,” Mr. Witkoff stated.
Iran’s state media reported on Monday (February 23, 2026) that Mr. Araghchi held talks together with his Omani counterpart in regards to the preparations for holding the following spherical of talks. Earlier, Mr. Araghchi informed CBS that there was nonetheless a “good likelihood” for a diplomatic answer to the nuclear problem. “One truth is there, that in the event that they (the U.S.) wish to discover a decision for Iran’s peaceable nuclear program, the one method is diplomacy,” he stated. “So, there isn’t any want for any navy buildup, and navy buildup can’t assist it and can’t pressurise us.”
Additionally Learn | U.S. warship in Gulf may be sunk, warns Iran’s Khamenei
Iran’s Overseas Ministry stated on Monday (February 23, 2026) any potential settlement have to be “balanced” and primarily based on “mutual respect”.
Our responsibility because the diplomatic equipment of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to make sure the rights and pursuits of the Iranian nation. As a rule, we are able to solely settle for an understanding or settlement that accommodates the traits of making certain Iran’s rights and nationwide pursuits; each on the nuclear problem and on the difficulty of lifting sanctions,” Overseas Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei informed reporters in Tehran, in response to state media.
Revealed – February 23, 2026 06:19 pm IST