U.S. Military Buildup Casts Shadow Over Iran Talks

Foreign Policy · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Technical-level discussions are to take place in Vienna next week, Oman’s foreign minister said. An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer Alexandra Sharp By Alexandra Sharp, the World Brief writer at Foreign Policy. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (left) speaks with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi during indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva on Feb. 26. Iran’s Foreign Ministry/AFP via Getty Images United States Iran February 26, 2026, 4:54 PM U.S. and Iranian officials held a third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday. “We’ve been exchanging creative and positive ideas,” Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating the negotiations, wrote on X, adding later that “significant progress” was made. Technical-level discussions are expected to take place in Vienna next week, he said. But as the United States ramps up its military presence in the Middle East, some analysts believe that failure to secure a diplomatic breakthrough soon could result in U.S. strikes on Iran. U.S. and Iranian officials held a third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday. “We’ve been exchanging creative and positive ideas,” Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating the negotiations, wrote on X, adding later that “significant progress” was made. Technical-level discussions are expected to take place in Vienna next week, he said. But as the United States ramps up its military presence in the Middle East, some analysts believe that failure to secure a diplomatic breakthrough soon could result in U.S. strikes on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that Tehran must make a deal with Washington or else risk possible attack. In recent weeks, he has ordered the largest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East since its 2003 invasion of Iraq, including the deployment of two aircraft carriers, more than 50 additional fighter jets, and dozens of refueling tankers. Experts suggest that Trump is likely considering several military options, such as limited strikes on military targets, widespread attacks on the country’s missile or nuclear facilities, or a sustained campaign designed to force the removal of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has vowed retaliation for any U.S. attack. Beyond curbing Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. negotiators also want Tehran to accept restrictions on its missile arsenal and stop funding regional proxy groups—demands that Iran has so far rejected. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that a framework could be reached if Washington separates “nuclear and non-nuclear issues.” Iranian officials have also made it clear that they expect the United States to lift sanctions in exchange for possible concessions on its nuclear program. Read more in today’s World Brief: U.S., Iran Make ‘Significant Progress’ in Nuclear Talks, Mediator Says. This post is part of FP’s ongoing coverage of the Trump administration. Follow along here. United States Iran Read More Donald Trump is seen in the White House press briefing room holding up his hand with one finger pointed up. Will Trump’s Luck Run Out if He Attacks Iran Again? Four former military leaders break down the risks of a U.S. attack. In a handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, a stealth fighter prepares to launch from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 15. 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