🤝 The United States and Iran will hold a second round of indirect talks in Geneva on Tuesday, February 17, focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Both sides are signalling interest in a deal, while also preparing for escalation if negotiations fail 61181320. President Trump said he would be involved “indirectly” and that he believes Iran wants an agreement, but he also warned of “consequences” if there is no deal 118315199.
The diplomacy is unfolding alongside a sharper military posture. US reporting cited officials saying Washington has sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East and is preparing for the possibility of a sustained military campaign if talks break down 131213. Iran, meanwhile, launched IRGC live-fire drills near the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic shipping lane—and cast its position as seeking a “fair and equitable deal” without yielding to threats 282122417.
One core dispute remains uranium enrichment on Iranian soil. The US has pushed to end it, while Iran says it will not accept a “zero enrichment” demand and has tied any flexibility to sanctions relief 141612. Still, the talks are back on after an initial meeting in Oman described as a “good start,” keeping a narrow but real diplomatic opening alive—one that could lower the risk of conflict and bring more predictability to the region and energy markets 412.
Sources
- Trump says he will be involved indirectly in Iran talks [dawn.com] (2026-02-17)
- Tehran's top diplomat goes to Geneva for nuclear talks amid IRGC's Hormuz war games [euronews.com] (2026-02-16)
- Trump predicts Iran nuclear deal, warns of ‘consequences’ ahead of talks [scmp.com] (2026-02-17)
- US-Iran talks set to resume amid rising tensions [rt.com] (2026-02-16)
- "I'll Be Involved Indirectly": Trump To Take Part In Iran Nuclear Talks [ndtv.com] (2026-02-17)
- US and Iran to hold a second round of nuclear talks in Geneva [abcnews.go.com] (2026-02-17)
- Trump says he will be involved ‘indirectly’ in Iran talks [thehindu.com] (2026-02-17)
- Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva for talks as IRGC begins live-fire drills near Strait of Hormuz [thehindu.com] (2026-02-16)
- US and Iran set for new talks in Geneva [lemonde.fr] (2026-02-17)
- Iran-US set for Round 2 of talks in Geneva. Will Trump attack if they fail? [firstpost.com] (2026-02-17)
- Trump says he will be ‘indirectly’ involved in US, Iran nuclear talks in Geneva [firstpost.com] (2026-02-17)
- US-Iran tensions simmer ahead of more nuclear talks [semafor.com] (2026-02-16)
- US and Iran set for high-stakes nuclear talks in Geneva as threat of war looms [straitstimes.com] (2026-02-17)
- Iran foreign minister met IAEA chief ahead of nuclear talks [straitstimes.com] (2026-02-17)
- Trump says he will be involved indirectly in Iran nuclear talks, warns of ‘consequences’ [straitstimes.com] (2026-02-17)
- Iran says US must 'prove they want to do a deal' on nuclear talks in Geneva [allsides.com] (2026-02-16)
- Iran meets UN nuclear watchdog ahead of U.S. talks [pbs.org] (2026-02-16)
- Trump says he will be 'indirectly' involved in Iran nuclear talks [bbc.com] (2026-02-17)
- Trump says he will be involved ‘indirectly’ in Iran nuclear talks [aljazeera.com] (2026-02-17)
- Iran, United States set for new talks in Geneva [al-monitor.com] (2026-02-17)
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps Begin Military Drills In Strait Of Hormuz [ndtv.com] (2026-02-16)
- Iran Holds Exercises in Strait of Hormuz After Trump Threatens Military Action [nytimes.com] (2026-02-16)
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards begin military drills in Strait of Hormuz [thehindu.com] (2026-02-17)
Highlights
- Tehran’s signal: Iranian officials cited in Al-Monitor voiced cautious optimism that Washington’s position has become “more realistic,” describing the renewed talks as a way to reduce the risk of US military action if diplomacy fails 20.
- IAEA meeting: Ahead of Tuesday’s talks, Iran’s foreign minister met IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Geneva and said he had “real ideas” for a deal 17114.
- Wider agenda: Some coverage says the disputes go beyond the nuclear file to missiles and Iran’s regional proxies, making any agreement harder to reach 2.
- Energy risk signal: An expert cited by Semafor said Iran’s Strait of Hormuz drills are meant to underline that a war could bring serious consequences for global energy markets 12.
I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal. What is not on the table: submission before threats.
— Abbas Araghchi — PBS NewsHour
Perspectives
President Donald Trump: Trump said he will be involved “indirectly” in the Geneva talks and argued Iran wants a deal, while warning of “consequences” if it does not 1.
Iran (Majid Takht-Ravanchi, deputy foreign minister): Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Iran is open to compromise if the US is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, saying the ball is “in America’s court” to show sincerity 16.
Iran (foreign minister Abbas Araghchi): Araghchi cast Iran’s goal as a “fair and equitable deal,” while insisting Iran will not submit to threats 17.
US officials (as reported): US officials told Reuters that the US military is preparing for the possibility of a sustained campaign if talks fail 1.
Iran’s IRGC (state media framing): Iranian state TV said the IRGC drills in the Strait of Hormuz are meant to prepare for “potential security and military threats” 23.
Historical Background
Iran and world powers reached the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief [common]. President Trump pulled the US out of the JCPOA during his first term and reimposed sanctions, a move often cited as fueling today’s mistrust and shaping negotiating demands 4. Tensions rose further after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, which several outlets cite as a backdrop to the renewed push for talks 1313.