IRIA News

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A second round of Oman-mediated indirect talks between Iran and the United States aimed at resolving their long-running dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program has concluded in Geneva on February 17, 2026, with both sides indicating limited progress but no immediate breakthrough.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the two countries reached an understanding on the main “guiding principles” during the discussions, though he emphasized that significant work remains before any agreement can be finalized. The United States has not formally commented on the outcome of the Geneva meeting.

The talks were mediated by Oman and focused primarily on Iran’s nuclear program and the potential lifting of U.S. economic sanctions. Tehran had signaled ahead of the meeting that these would be its main priorities, while Washington had previously indicated it also wants to address Iran’s missile development and broader regional activities.

Araghchi told Iranian media after the talks that “different ideas have been presented, these ideas have been seriously discussed, ultimately we’ve been able to reach a general agreement on some guiding principles.” He added that this does not mean a deal is imminent, but described the discussions as constructive and said both sides left with “clear next steps.”

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi also said “much work is yet to be done,” but confirmed that both delegations departed with a shared understanding of how to proceed.

📸 | Oman’s FM Badr Al Busaidi @badralbusaidi met Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi in Geneva to prepare for tomorrow’s second round of indirect Iran-US talks. Both affirmed the need to advance understanding toward a mutually satisfactory agreement. Al Busaidi reiterated Oman’s firm… pic.twitter.com/B6wziNqUkl

— وزارة الخارجية (@FMofOman) February 16, 2026

Military Pressure and Diplomatic Signaling

The latest diplomatic round comes amid heightened tensions and a growing U.S. military presence in the Middle East. In recent weeks, Washington has deployed additional naval and air assets to the region as part of efforts to pressure Tehran into negotiations.

Satellite imagery has confirmed the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier near Iran. The United States has also reportedly dispatched the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, which could arrive in the region within weeks. Additional destroyers, combat ships, and fighter aircraft have also been tracked moving into the area.

Speaking aboard Air Force One ahead of the Geneva meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed Iran wanted to reach an agreement and warned of consequences if talks failed.

“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said. He referred to previous U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, adding, “We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s. I hope they’re going to be more reasonable.”

Trump described the talks as “very important” and said he would be “indirectly” involved. He also suggested Tehran had become more willing to negotiate after recent U.S. military pressure.

Iran’s foreign ministry, for its part, said Washington’s stance appeared to have shifted toward “a more realistic one” on the nuclear issue.

Iran Responds with Drills

Iranian leaders responded sharply to U.S. military threats and suggestions of regime change. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any attempt to impose outcomes through pressure or military action would fail.

“More dangerous than an aircraft carrier is the weapon that can send it to the bottom of the sea,” Khamenei said. “The ‘strongest army in the world’ may sometimes receive such a blow that it cannot get back up.”

He also accused Washington of trying to predetermine the outcome of negotiations, calling that approach a “wrong and foolish thing to do.”

Iran has conducted its own military demonstrations in parallel with the talks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched maritime drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route between Iran and Oman. Iranian state media also reported temporary restrictions in parts of the strait due to “security precautions.”

Tehran has previously threatened to close the strait if attacked, a move that could disrupt roughly a fifth of global oil supplies and drive up energy prices.

Araghchi said ahead of the Geneva meeting that Iran’s goal was to “achieve a fair and equitable deal” and stressed that “what is not on the table: submission before threats.”

Economic and Market Reaction

Financial markets reacted cautiously to the developments. Oil prices fell after Araghchi’s comments about progress in the talks, with the benchmark Brent crude contract dropping more than 1% as fears of an imminent regional conflict eased.

The indirect discussions involved U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and other American representatives, with Oman serving as intermediary between the two sides. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said reaching a deal would be “very difficult” but acknowledged there was still an opportunity for diplomacy.

“I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement … but I don’t want to overstate it either,” Rubio said. “It’s going to be hard.”

The Geneva meeting follows an earlier round of indirect talks held in Oman earlier this year, which Araghchi described at the time as a “good beginning.” The latest discussions appear to have built on that initial contact, establishing a framework for further negotiations.

Despite agreement on general principles, both sides remain far apart on key issues, including sanctions relief, nuclear restrictions, and broader security concerns. The continued military buildup and sharp rhetoric from both capitals underscore the fragile nature of the diplomatic process.

For now, officials on both sides say talks will continue, with mediators working to translate the agreed “guiding principles” into concrete steps. Whether that process can lead to a comprehensive agreement remains uncertain, but the Geneva round suggests neither side is ready to abandon diplomacy.