LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S. NUCLEAR TALKS / FEB 17
WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the new round of Iran–U.S. nuclear talks here.
Swiss and Iranian Foreign Ministers Meet in Geneva
Swiss and Iranian Foreign Ministers Meet in Geneva on Feb 17, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency
WANA (Feb 17) – The foreign ministers of Switzerland and Iran met Tuesday afternoon in Geneva, as the city hosted a second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The two-day Iran–U.S. talks were held Monday and Tuesday at the Omani Embassy in Geneva. On the same day, Switzerland also hosted separate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia mediated by the United States.
Oman Says Iran–U.S. Talks in Geneva Ended With “Tangible Progress”
Badr Albusaidi held a consultative meeting in Geneva with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. president’s special envoy, and Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the U.S. president, on Feb 17, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency
WANA (Feb 17) – Oman’s Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday evening that Badr Albusaidi held a consultative meeting in Geneva with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. president’s special envoy, and Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the U.S. president, ahead of the Iran–U.S. negotiations conducted under Omani supervision.
In a statement posted on its official account on X, the Omani Foreign Ministry said the meeting included a comprehensive review of the negotiation framework and an examination of the requirements for their success from political and technical perspectives.
The talks were described as taking place in a realistic and constructive spirit aimed at increasing the chances of reaching understandings that serve the objectives of the negotiations.
The ministry concluded by emphasizing that Tuesday’s negotiations ended with “tangible progress,” paving the way for their imminent continuation.
Talks With U.S. Underway in Full Coordination With Supreme Leader
Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran. President PR / WANA News Agency
WANA (Feb 17) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the recent negotiations with the United States are being carried out in full coordination with and with the authorization of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Speaking about the talks, Pezeshkian stated that the objective is to genuinely resolve issues, not to engage in dialogue for its own sake. “These negotiations are taking place with full coordination and the approval of the Supreme Leader. Our goal is to truly solve the problems, not to hold talks for the sake of talks,” he said.
He added that Iran is seriously pursuing tangible results and expressed hope that the process will lead to concrete outcomes.
No Date Yet for Next Iran‑U.S. Talks; Draft Exchange Planned
WANA (Feb 17) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that no specific date has been set for a third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States. Instead, both sides will work on draft texts for a potential agreement, exchange them, and then determine the next meeting date.
Speaking after the conclusion of the second round of indirect talks in Geneva, Araghchi described the discussions as productive, noting that more serious issues were addressed compared to the previous round.
“There was a more constructive atmosphere this round, and various ideas were presented and discussed seriously,” he said.
No Date Yet for Next Iran‑U.S. Talks; Draft Exchange Planned
WANA (Feb 17) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that no specific date has been set for a third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States. Instead, both sides will work on draft texts for a potential agreement, exchange them, and then determine the next meeting date. Speaking after the conclusion of […]
A Sensitive Round of Nuclear Talks Concludes in Geneva; Delegations Leave the Venue
WANA (Feb 17) – Intensive and closely watched negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman in Geneva, have come to an end, with the negotiating delegations departing the venue after hours of detailed discussions.
According to officials, this round of talks had moved into the technical phase, focusing on sanctions relief and the future of Iran’s nuclear program — a stage that could prove decisive in shaping either a potential agreement or further diplomatic bargaining.
The discussions began the previous day with separate meetings between Iran’s Foreign Minister and his Omani counterpart, as well as with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. During these meetings, Tehran formally conveyed its proposed framework regarding a return to nuclear commitments and the effective lifting of sanctions through intermediary channels…
A Sensitive Round of Nuclear Talks Concludes in Geneva; Delegations Leave the Venue
WANA (Feb 17) – Intensive and closely watched negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman in Geneva, have come to an end, with the negotiating delegations departing the venue after hours of detailed discussions. According to officials, this round of talks had moved into the technical phase, focusing on sanctions relief and […]
Iran–U.S. Indirect Talks Proceeding Seriously
An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
WANA (Feb 17) – The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, said in an interview with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States are continuing in a serious manner and are expected to last for another one to two hours.
Responding to reports that the two sides had entered technical discussions during the latest round of talks, Baghaei said the Iranian delegation includes a full team of experts. “As previously announced, our delegation is fully composed, with specialists in the fields of economics, sanctions relief, and technical and nuclear issues present in the team,” he stated.
Regarding talks with Rafael Grossi, he said the role of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency could be useful and effective in the current phase of negotiations.
Baghaei assured the Iranian public that the negotiating team is carefully and conscientiously pursuing the country’s national interests. “I assure the people of Iran that your representatives are working meticulously to secure the nation’s interests in the best possible way,” he said.
Addressing a question about scheduled Ukraine-related talks in Geneva on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly involving U.S. representatives, Baghaei emphasized that the two sets of negotiations are “absolutely unrelated.”
He added that Iran is pursuing the current negotiation track with full seriousness and remains focused on securing the interests of the Iranian people.
Second Round of Iran–US Talks Begins in Geneva
WANA (Feb 17) – The second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States began at 10:30 a.m. Geneva time at the Omani Embassy in Geneva, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi is heading Iran’s diplomatic and expert delegation in these talks. He is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Ministers Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Kazem Gharibabadi, Hamid Ghanbari, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that the Iranian negotiating team for this round is a full delegation, including technical and nuclear experts, economic specialists, and legal advisers.
It is worth noting that the US delegation in the Geneva talks is headed by Steve Witkoff. Similar to the Muscat negotiations, Jared Kushner — son-in-law and senior adviser to Donald Trump, who is considered a close figure to the US president — is also present at the discussions.
International media outlets and journalists have gathered at the venue hosting the indirect talks between Iran and the United States, and the process of exchanging messages between the two sides has begun.
The negotiations are taking place with the presence of the Iranian delegation and mediation by Badr Al-Busaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister, in a building designated specifically for these discussions. Reports indicate that the site is under heightened security measures, with media attention focused on diplomatic movements and the possible arrival and departure of officials.
Meanwhile, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, head of the Iranian delegation, has stated that Tehran has entered the talks with a clear plan and initiative, while emphasizing that it will not accept any form of threat.
In the coming hours, the main focus will be on the composition of individuals present at the venue and the process of message exchanges—developments that could provide indications about the potential trajectory of the negotiations and the level of progress achieved.
The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, provided explanations regarding ongoing negotiations, stating that the lifting of sanctions is Iran’s primary priority in the nuclear talks.
“Sanctions relief is the main priority in the nuclear negotiations,” he said.
He added that Iran is participating in the talks with goodwill and seriousness, expressing hope that the U.S. delegation will demonstrate the same level of seriousness and good faith.
Witkoff Holds Consultations with Oman’s Foreign Minister and IAEA Director General
WANA (Feb 17) – The U.S. negotiating team, led by Steve Witkoff, met Tuesday morning Geneva time with Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Witkoff, head of the U.S. delegation for indirect talks with Iran, arrived in Geneva on Tuesday morning and held discussions with Albusaidi shortly after arriving in the city.
It appears that Oman’s foreign minister conveyed Iran’s views to the U.S. side regarding proposals put forward by Washington on the nuclear issue.
Witkoff also held consultations with Grossi.
Notably, the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman also met separately on Monday.
During that meeting, Abbas Araghchi outlined the Islamic Republic of Iran’s positions and considerations on key issues, including sanctions relief.
Oman’s foreign minister is acting as a mediator and channel for messages and correspondence during the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Latest Update on Iran–US Talks in Geneva: Nuclear Discussions Set to Begin Around Midday
WANA (Feb 17) – According to the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest update on the Iran–US negotiations scheduled to take place in Geneva today indicates that the talks will begin around midday local time, with the primary focus on nuclear issues and related technical matters.
Esmail Baghaei said the negotiations are likely to start between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m., adding that the Iranian delegation will depart for the venue within minutes. He emphasized that this round of indirect consultations with the United States will be centered on the nuclear file.
Baghaei noted that, as in previous rounds, the negotiations will be conducted through the mediation of Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, with each delegation conveying its views and positions via the Omani side.
He also referred to yesterday’s technical consultations, stating that Abbas Araghchi held talks with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency on technical aspects of Iran’s nuclear program, and that similar discussions between the US delegation and the Agency’s chief are underway today.
Baghaei added that the negotiations are expected to continue into the afternoon, and that Araghchi will also attend an international meeting related to the United Nations on the sidelines of the talks, where he will outline Tehran’s positions.
Details of the New Round of Talks and the Composition of Iran’s Negotiating Team
WANA (Feb 17) – The Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran will under no circumstances negotiate over its defensive capabilities, emphasizing that a country’s vital and existential interests are not negotiable and that Iran will not hesitate when it comes to defending itself.
Seyed Jalal Dehghani Firoozabadi, assessing the initial round of talks in Muscat and the new round scheduled to be held in Geneva, said that during the first meeting a general framework and the core demands of both sides were exchanged, and red lines were clearly outlined.
He added that the parties then returned to their respective capitals to conduct consultations and reach internal conclusions before entering the next phase of discussions…
Details of the New Round of Talks and the Composition of Iran’s Negotiating Team
WANA (Feb 17) – The Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran will under no circumstances negotiate over its defensive capabilities, emphasizing that a country’s vital and existential interests are not negotiable and that Iran will not hesitate when it comes to defending itself. Seyed Jalal […]
Steve Witkoff in Geneva
WANA ( Feb 17) – According to media reports, Steve Witkoff has arrived in Geneva for a new round of intensive diplomatic consultations. Witkoff, the special envoy of Donald Trump, is expected to take part in indirect talks between Iran and the United States focused on nuclear issues and the possible lifting of sanctions.
At the same time, he is scheduled to hold discussions with officials from Russia regarding developments in the war in Ukraine—a diplomatic move that once again underscores Geneva’s role as a key hub for sensitive multilateral negotiations.
Diplomacy or Deadlock? A New Round of Nuclear Talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Heads to Indirect Nuclear Talks Venue in Muscat. Social media / WANA News Agency
WANA (Feb 17) – Iran’s delegation, led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, is set to enter the second round of nuclear negotiations with the United States in Geneva—talks that Tehran frames as a decisive test of Washington’s political will and a potential pathway toward lifting years of crippling sanctions.
According to reports from Geneva, the central objective of this round is the removal of sanctions and the achievement of an agreement that secures what Iranian officials describe as the country’s national interests. For international observers, the negotiations extend beyond technical nuclear parameters; they represent a critical moment for regional stability and for one of the most enduring diplomatic standoffs of the past two decades.
Intensive Diplomacy Ahead of the Talks
In the lead-up to the formal session, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings. On Monday morning, he met with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, where Iran’s technical perspectives on the negotiation process and verification mechanisms were discussed. The agency’s role remains pivotal, as any future agreement would rely on its capacity to monitor and verify nuclear commitments.
Araghchi also met with Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, which continues to serve as a key intermediary in indirect contacts between Tehran and Washington. Both sides emphasized the importance of results-oriented diplomacy and the pursuit of a balanced agreement. The Omani foreign minister reiterated Muscat’s longstanding commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing escalation and safeguarding regional stability.
Tehran’s Two Conditions
The new round of negotiations resumes after a months-long pause—one Iranian officials attribute to what they describe as unlawful U.S. actions. Tehran’s decision to return to the table reportedly followed consultations with several regional states that encouraged renewed diplomatic engagement as the most viable means of managing tensions.
However, Iran has entered the talks under two explicit conditions: first, recognition of its right to uranium enrichment on its own soil; and second, limiting the scope of negotiations strictly to the nuclear file. Iranian officials have warned that any attempt to expand discussions to regional or defense-related issues would jeopardize the process.
According to available information, this framework has been acknowledged by the U.S. side. Nevertheless, Tehran has made clear that any deviation from these principles could prompt it to halt the negotiations.
The Trust Deficit
Despite the renewed diplomatic momentum, deep mistrust remains the central obstacle. Iranian officials point to what they characterize as inconsistent messaging and shifting positions from Washington as evidence of a lack of strategic coherence. At the same time, hardline factions in the United States and circles aligned with Israel are seen in Tehran as complicating the diplomatic landscape.
Sources close to the Iranian delegation have also cited the limited duration of the U.S. delegation’s presence at the negotiation venue and what they describe as contradictory signals—factors interpreted in Tehran as signs of insufficient political seriousness.
A Test of Political Resolve
Still, Iran maintains that diplomacy remains its primary instrument for managing tensions. Araghchi has repeatedly stated that Tehran is prepared to reach a “fair and balanced” agreement—provided the United States demonstrates genuine political resolve, a realistic approach, and readiness to deliver tangible sanctions relief.
As talks resume in Geneva, attention now turns to Washington’s conduct in practice rather than rhetoric. If the United States can align its messaging and adhere to the agreed framework, a limited but sustainable understanding may be within reach. If not, this round could join a long list of stalled diplomatic efforts.
In Geneva, the debate is not merely about centrifuges or enrichment levels. It is about whether diplomacy can overcome years of accumulated distrust—and whether both sides are prepared to translate cautious engagement into a durable political outcome.
Trump Says He Will Take Part “Indirectly” in Iran Talks Ahead of Second Geneva Round
WANA (Feb 17) – In the early hours of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Donald Trump, President of the United States, announced—on the eve of the second round of indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Geneva—that he would take part in the talks “indirectly.”
Speaking ahead of the talks, Trump stated, “We will be participating indirectly in the negotiations regarding Iran, and we’ll see what happens.” He did not elaborate on the mechanism of this indirect involvement but signaled that the outcome would depend largely on Tehran’s approach.
The U.S. president also criticized Iran’s negotiating posture, claiming that “Iran is a bad negotiator.” At the same time, he expressed hope that Tehran would act “reasonably,” adding, “I think they want to make a deal.”
The remarks come at a sensitive moment, as diplomats gather in Geneva for the second round of talks aimed at addressing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and broader bilateral disputes. While the negotiations are being conducted indirectly, Trump’s comments underscore Washington’s continued strategic oversight of the process.
For international observers, the timing of the statement is significant. Delivered only hours before the Geneva meeting, it reflects a dual message: a willingness to keep diplomatic channels open, paired with pointed skepticism toward Tehran’s negotiating tactics.
Whether this calibrated tone signals flexibility or pressure remains unclear. What is certain is that the Geneva talks now proceed under renewed political spotlight from the White House, adding another layer of complexity to an already delicate diplomatic effort.
LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S. NUCLEAR TALKS / FEB 16
WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the new round of Iran–U.S. nuclear talks here. Iran and IAEA Chief Hold Technical Talks in Geneva Ahead of Indirect U.S. Negotiations WANA (Feb 16) – Geneva has once again become a focal point of nuclear diplomacy as Seyed Abbas Araghchi, […]
