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.

 

He added that the two sides were able to reach a broad agreement on a set of guiding principles, which will serve as the foundation for drafting the agreement text.

 

“This does not mean we can quickly reach a final deal. It means the process has started, and we hope it concludes as soon as possible. We are prepared to devote sufficient time to it. When we reach the drafting stage, the work becomes more detailed and challenging,” he explained.

 

Araghchi assessed the progress compared to the previous session as positive, saying, “We now have a clearer path ahead, which I consider a good sign.”

 

Addressing whether the negotiations have returned to a clear track, he said, “It is not yet a full roadmap, but we now have a clearer picture of what needs to be done and the steps ahead. Both sides still have positions that require alignment, but at least now we have guiding principles and a clearer path to follow.”

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)