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U.S. and Iran prepare for Geneva nuclear talks

Kagi News | 2026-02-16 15:02 UTC | source

🤝 The United States and Iran are preparing for nuclear negotiations in Geneva, with envoys expected to attend as both sides signal interest in testing whether a deal is possible despite the sharper rhetoric 123. President Trump has pushed publicly for an immediate accord and warned of a possible U.S. attack if Iran does not reach a deal 1.

Iranian officials say they are open to compromise, but they want the United States to show it is serious—starting with talks that pair Iran’s nuclear program with sanctions relief 23. For U.S. readers, the near-term stakes are familiar: lowering the risk of escalation in the Middle East while testing whether diplomacy can address long-running concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities 12.

Geneva, Switzerland
Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, in Davos, Switzerland, last month. They are expected to attend the negotiations with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday.
Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, in Davos, Switzerland, last month. They are expected to attend the negotiations with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday. — nytimes.com

Sources

  1. U.S. and Iran Gear Up for Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions [nytimes.com] (2026-02-17)
  2. Iran says US must 'prove they want to do a deal' on nuclear talks in Geneva [allsides.com] (2026-02-16)
  3. Iran diplomat claims ‘we are ready to discuss’ nuclear program if US is prepared to ease sanctions [nypost.com] (2026-02-16)

Highlights

  1. Iran’s signal on leverage: Deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said the “ball” is “in America’s court” to show it genuinely wants an agreement, adding that if the U.S. is sincere, both sides could be “on the road to an agreement” 2.
  2. What Iran says it can discuss: Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Iran is ready to discuss “this and other issues related to our program” if the U.S. is ready to talk about sanctions—casting sanctions relief as the starting point for broader nuclear-related talks 2.
  3. How Iran frames the trade: As summarized by the New York Post, Iranian officials call U.S. sanctions “crippling” and present easing them as the necessary exchange for discussing the nuclear program 3.

Perspectives

President Trump: Trump called for an immediate accord and warned Iran could face a possible U.S. attack if it does not reach a deal, according to the report on the talks 1.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry (Takht-Ravanchi): Takht-Ravanchi said the “ball” is “in America’s court” to show it wants a deal, and indicated sanctions relief must be part of the conversation 2.

Iran’s diplomats (as covered by New York Post): The New York Post focused on Iran’s characterization of U.S. sanctions as “crippling,” and framed Tehran’s position as an offer to ease sanctions in exchange for discussions ahead of the Geneva talks 3.