Iran pushes back against Trump before Geneva negotiationsThe Shillong Times

theshillongtimes.com · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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DUBAI, Feb 23: Iran pushed back strongly against US President Donald Trump ahead of critical nuclear talks in Geneva, as Washington amasses one of its largest military deployments to the Middle East in decades. The talks, mediated by Oman, mark the third round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program. Two Iranian officials delivered mixed messages before the meeting. While denouncing Trump’s recent statements as “big lies,” they also signaled that an agreement could be possible through what they described as “honourable diplomacy.” The comments come amid heightened tensions, with Trump repeatedly threatening military action if negotiations fail, a prospect that alarms regional governments already wary after years of instability linked to the Middle East conflicts, including the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. The United States has significantly increased its military presence in the region. Satellite imagery showed American naval vessels previously docked in Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s United States Fifth Fleet, repositioned at sea, a defensive measure similar to steps taken before prior regional escalations. Iran has warned that US military bases across the region would be considered legitimate targets in the event of conflict, placing tens of thousands of American personnel at potential risk. In his annual State of the Union address, Trump accused Iran of continuing efforts to rebuild its missile and nuclear capabilities despite prior warnings. He claimed Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States. Satellite images previously analyzed by The Associated Press appear to show Iran rebuilding parts of its missile production facilities and conducting work at nuclear sites struck by the US in June. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, Western governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency have long said Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. Before the June strikes, Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity, close to the 90% level required for weapons-grade material. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei compared Trump’s rhetoric to propaganda, accusing the administration of spreading misinformation. Trump also claimed in his speech that at least 32,000 people were killed during nationwide protests in January. Independent groups have provided lower estimates, while Iran’s government has acknowledged just over 3,000 deaths. Separately, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran is open to diplomacy if mutual respect and national dignity are upheld but warned of severe retaliation if the US resorts to military action during negotiations. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Geneva to meet US officials led by special envoy Steve Witkoff. The stakes are high: if diplomacy collapses, the scope and objectives of any US military action remain unclear. Analysts question whether limited strikes would pressure Iran effectively or whether broader action aimed at regime change would require a prolonged campaign with uncertain consequences. Further complicating matters, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have not been permitted to assess the condition of nuclear sites damaged in earlier strikes, leaving uncertainty about the current status of Iran’s nuclear program. Regional tensions have already affected global markets, with oil prices rising amid fears of a broader conflict that could destabilize the Gulf and draw in neighboring states. (AP)