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New nuclear talks between US and Iran begin in Geneva

February 17, 2026

The United States and Iran have begun a second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, mediated by Oman, focusing primarily on Iran's nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. President Trump has indicated that Iran appears more willing to negotiate this time, referencing last summer's U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities as leverage while emphasizing he wants a diplomatic solution. The talks occur against a backdrop of significant American military buildup in the Middle East, including aircraft carriers and additional warships, which Iran has countered with its own naval exercises in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Who is affected

  • Iran (government and leadership including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi)
  • United States (President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner)
  • Oman (serving as mediator)
  • Gulf Arab states (whose oil exports transit through the Strait of Hormuz)
  • UN nuclear watchdog
  • Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

What action is being taken

  • Indirect negotiations are taking place in Geneva between the U.S. and Iran
  • The U.S. is conducting a military buildup in the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier positioned near Iran and destroyers, combat ships, and fighter jets deployed to the region
  • Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is conducting maritime drills in the Strait of Hormuz
  • The UN nuclear watchdog chief is meeting with Iranian officials

Why it matters

  • These negotiations are critically important because they address Iran's nuclear program, which has prompted military threats and past U.S. bombing campaigns against Iranian nuclear facilities. The talks could determine whether the situation escalates into broader military conflict or resolves through diplomacy, with significant implications for regional stability in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, where Iran is conducting military exercises, is a vital international waterway for oil exports from Gulf states, meaning any conflict could disrupt global energy markets and have worldwide economic consequences.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC