US , Iran nuclear talks continue as forces build up in MideastThe Shillong Times

theshillongtimes.com · Feb 27, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

Full Article

GENEVA, Feb 26: The United States and Iran held another round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday aimed at reviving a nuclear agreement and preventing renewed conflict, as Washington amasses a large fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a deal that would significantly constrain Iran’s nuclear programme. He believes the timing may be favorable, with Iran facing internal pressures after widespread protests. Tehran, for its part, says it wants to avoid war but insists it has the right to enrich uranium. Iranian officials have rejected expanding negotiations to include their long-range missile programme or support for regional armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has warned that if the US launches military strikes, American bases across the region would be considered legitimate targets, potentially endangering tens of thousands of US service members. It has also threatened Israel, raising fears that any escalation could ignite a broader regional war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described such a scenario as devastating, noting that US military installations are spread throughout the region, increasing the risk of widespread conflict. The Geneva meeting marks the third round of talks since last year’s 12-day war, which erupted after Israel launched strikes on Iran and the US followed with heavy attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. While much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was reportedly damaged, the full extent remains unclear. Araghchi is leading Iran’s delegation, while US envoy Steve Witkoff heads the American side, accompanied by Jared Kushner. The talks are once again being mediated by Oman, which has long acted as a diplomatic intermediary between Iran and Western governments. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi met both delegations and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), signaling cautious optimism. After about three hours of discussions, the sides agreed to resume talks later in the day. The Omani mediator described the exchanges as “creative and positive.” Trump’s administration is demanding that Iran fully halt uranium enrichment and scale back its missile programme and regional activities. Iran maintains that negotiations should focus solely on nuclear issues and insists its atomic programme is peaceful. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is not currently enriching uranium but is attempting to rebuild elements of its nuclear programme. Tehran says it has not enriched uranium since June, though it has barred IAEA inspectors from visiting sites struck by US forces. Satellite imagery has shown activity at some facilities, possibly indicating efforts to assess damage or recover materials. Western governments and the IAEA maintain that Iran operated a nuclear weapons programme until 2003. After Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran increased enrichment levels to 60 percent purity, just below weapons-grade. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has not restarted a weapons programme but has taken steps that could position it to do so if it chooses. If diplomacy fails, the possibility of military action looms. Limited strikes may not achieve US objectives, while attempts to remove Iran’s leadership could require a prolonged campaign with unpredictable consequences. Tehran could retaliate against US allies in the Persian Gulf or disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass. Oil prices have already risen amid fears of further instability, underscoring the high stakes of the negotiations. (AP)