US , Iran to meet in Geneva for third round of talks

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

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ByTOBIAS SIEGALFEBRUARY 26, 2026 09:23Updated: FEBRUARY 26, 2026 10:19Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has submitted Tehran's new nuclear proposal ahead of a third round of indirect talks with the US in Geneva on Thursday.The document, submitted to Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, is said to counter US "excuses" regarding Iran's nuclear program while laying out “key elements of a potential agreement," according to Iranian media.Ahead of his trip to Geneva, Araghchi said in an interview with India Today that Iran was "fully prepared for both options: war and peace," adding, "I think it is possible to reach a fair, balanced and just agreement and we can achieve it. Of course, our armed forces are ready to do their job and we know how to defend ourselves, just as we did last time. We have learned a lot from the last war, so we are more prepared now."Earlier Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran's supposed opposition to building nuclear weapons, noting that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned weapons of mass destruction, which "clearly means Tehran won't develop nuclear weapons." Khamenei, who has the last say on Tehran's nuclear program, banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa, or religious decree, in the early 2000s.Thursday's diplomatic meeting is seen as a pivotal moment for both nations and as a last chance for avoiding a military confrontation, as the ongoing standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, missile programs, and regional influence continues to escalate.Could Iran's new proposal change the previous US condition of zero enrichment? On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tehran's reluctance to discuss its ballistic missile program was "a big, big problem," adding, however, that "the president wants diplomatic solutions. He prefers them greatly."The negotiations, which follow two earlier rounds in Vienna and Geneva, are crucial for both sides as they attempt to reach an agreement on the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal that has remained in limbo since the US’s withdrawal in 2018 under US President Donald Trump. This time, the Trump administration has adopted a stricter approach, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently saying the administration aims to avoid a "sunset clause" to ensure there is no limit on the deal's duration.Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi meets with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner ahead of the indirect US-Iran talks, in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026. (credit: Oman’s Ministry Of Foreign Affairs/Handout via REUTERS)Publicly, US officials have maintained that zero enrichment remains the standard for any deal with Tehran, but recent reports suggest that Trump may be open to an Iranian proposal that would allow so‑called “token” uranium enrichment, with strict safeguards to prevent any route to weaponization.On Tuesday, Trump restated in his State of the Union speech to Congress that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.In an interview with Fox News on Saturday, Witkoff claimed Tehran was about a week away from being able to enrich its existing uranium to a weaponized level.Military options still on the tableMeanwhile, Trump has been presented with military options that involve directly targeting the supreme leader, and US naval and air forces continue to arrive in the Middle East.Washington and Tehran enter this round of talks amid increased US military presence in the region.US officials have repeatedly warned of the threat posed by Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, as well as its continued support for militia groups throughout the Middle East. Tehran, for its part, has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, though it has increasingly taken a hardline stance, accusing Washington of being unwilling to negotiate in good faith.A satellite imagery taken on February 1, 2026, shows a new roof over a previously destroyed building at Isfahan nuclear site, Iran. (credit: 2026 PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS)Tensions also remain high following Iran’s recent military maneuvers, which many analysts believe are part of Tehran’s ongoing strategy to assert regional dominance.Meanwhile, the US has been deploying additional military assets to the region, including aircraft carriers and fighter jets, in a show of force aimed at deterring further escalation.Last chance to avoid a broader conflictDiplomatic sources indicate that these talks could be the last chance to avoid a broader conflict, with both sides under domestic pressure to show tangible progress.Washington is keen to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while ensuring its allies, particularly Israel and the Gulf states, remain secure. For Tehran, the talks represent an opportunity to ease crippling sanctions that have severely impacted its economy.Tehran has publicly maintained an optimistic tone regarding negotiations, with Pezeshkian stating this week that Tehran saw a good chance of reaching a good outcome.As the clock ticks toward the start of these critical discussions, analysts are closely watching for signs of potential breakthroughs or breakdowns that could have serious ramifications for the region’s future.Reuters contributed to this report.