IRIA News

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The U.S. and Iranian officials have reportedly made “significant progress” in high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Geneva on February 26, 2026, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi, as diplomatic efforts intensify amid rising military tensions in the Middle East.

The latest round of talks took place at the Omani diplomatic residence in Geneva, with Oman once again serving as mediator between Washington and Tehran.

The negotiations come at a critical moment, with President Donald Trump having ordered a major U.S. military build-up in the region and publicly warning that Iran could face military strikes if a deal is not reached.

“We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,” al-Busaidi wrote on the social platform X. He added that both sides would now consult their respective capitals and that technical-level discussions are expected next week in Vienna.

There was no immediate official comment from either the U.S. or Iranian delegations following the conclusion of the talks.

We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran. We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for…

— Badr Albusaidi – بدر البوسعيدي (@badralbusaidi) February 26, 2026

Last-Ditch Diplomatic Efforts

The latest meeting marks the third round of negotiations in recent weeks and is widely viewed as a last-ditch diplomatic effort to prevent a potential military confrontation.

Trump has amassed what officials describe as the largest U.S. military contingent in the Middle East since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, signaling that Washington is prepared to act if diplomacy fails.

Earlier this week, Trump said Iran was restarting its nuclear program, despite previously claiming the United States had “obliterated” it during strikes in June amid a broader conflict involving Israel and Iran.

U.S. President Trump reiterated that diplomacy remains his preferred option but insisted he would never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

According to the reporters, citing a U.S. official, the talks were described as “positive,” though the American side was reportedly “disappointed” with Iranian positions during the morning session. The official did not provide additional details.

The U.S. delegation was led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Iranian side was headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

U.S. Core Demands

Reports indicate that Washington entered the negotiations with at least three central demands. First, the United States is seeking the destruction of Iran’s primary nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These sites have long been at the center of international concerns over Iran’s enrichment capabilities.

Second, the American delegation has required that Iran hand over all of its remaining stockpile of enriched uranium to the United States. This demand reflects Washington’s view that any retained enriched material preserves a pathway to weapons-grade capability.

Third, U.S. negotiators are pushing for a deal that “must last forever,” avoiding the sunset clauses that were built into the 2015 agreement and later criticized by Iran hawks in Washington.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the Geneva talks are primarily focused on Iran’s nuclear program. While Washington has repeatedly warned that Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities pose a threat to the U.S. and its allies, Rubio indicated that the current discussions are centered on nuclear issues.

Beyond the nuclear file, Trump has also raised Iran’s human rights record, including the killing of thousands of protesters during mass demonstrations between December and January.

U.S. President Trump has pointed to Tehran’s support for regional armed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, as well as Iran’s alleged responsibility for the deaths of American service members.

Iran’s Position and Possible Compromises

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and insists that uranium enrichment is a sovereign national right. Iranian negotiators have rejected U.S. ultimatums demanding the complete cessation of enrichment and the transfer of enriched uranium out of the country.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran reiterated its right to peaceful nuclear energy during the Geneva talks. However, officials are believed to have offered potential concessions, though specific details have not been made public.

Reported proposals under discussion include allowing Iran to enrich uranium to approximately 1.5 percent, significantly below the 60 percent enrichment level it currently possesses, as well as permitting enrichment for medical purposes. In return, Iran is seeking the lifting of sanctions that have severely impacted its economy.

Opponents of the Iranian government argue that sanctions relief would provide the ruling establishment with critical financial breathing room.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have reportedly refused to discuss limits on the country’s ballistic missile program or to end support for regional proxies, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen.

Domestic Debate in Washington

The prospect of military action has triggered debate within the United States. Lawmakers are preparing to vote on a war powers resolution aimed at blocking the president from taking military action against Iran without congressional approval.

While there is bipartisan agreement that Iran poses a threat to U.S. interests and regional allies, some lawmakers argue that the administration has not sufficiently justified the urgency of potential military action.

“A war with Iran today is both unnecessary and dangerous,” Senator Tim Kaine said on the Senate floor on Thursday. “We shouldn’t be at war without a vote of Congress. I can’t believe that this nation is like, itching for another war in the Middle East.”

“Haven’t we learned something from a quarter-century of war in the Middle East? I hope we have,” he added. “I hope my colleagues will join me in suggesting no war unless we vote to authorize it. A vote on the resolution is expected next week.

Despite reports of “significant progress,” major gaps remain. Iran has already rejected discussing its ballistic missile program and regional alliances, while Washington appears firm in its demand for dismantling key nuclear infrastructure and eliminating enriched uranium stockpiles.

The upcoming technical-level talks in Vienna are expected to clarify whether the diplomatic momentum can be sustained. For now, the outcome remains uncertain, with the threat of military escalation still looming over the region.

As both sides return to their capitals for consultations, the Geneva talks represent a critical juncture. Whether they lead to a durable agreement or a renewed crisis may depend on how much flexibility each side is willing to show in the coming days.