Iran Nuclear Talks: Araghchi Arrives in Geneva, No Concessions Planned

February 16, 2026 Lucas Fernandez – World Editor World

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva Monday for a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States, stating he is “not ready to submit” to demands, according to reports from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s talks. Grossi released a photo with Araghchi, describing “detailed technical discussions” in preparation for the meeting with U.S. Representatives. The Omani government is facilitating the negotiations, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The U.S. Delegation will include Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, resuming talks that began earlier this month in Muscat, Oman. A first round of negotiations took place on February 6th, following months of stalled discussions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi indicated Sunday that Tehran is prepared to discuss its stock of highly enriched uranium, contingent on the lifting of U.S. Sanctions against the Iranian economy. The U.S. Seeks to address a wider range of issues, including Iran’s internal political situation following recent crackdowns, and its support for regional armed groups, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Washington is also pressing for limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile program. However, Iranian officials have stated that the Geneva talks will focus solely on the nuclear issue. Israel has demanded that Iran remove its enriched uranium stockpile from the country, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that any agreement must include the dismantling of Iran’s enrichment capabilities, not merely a halt to the process.

Prior to Israeli-American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, Iran was enriching uranium to 60%, exceeding the limits established in the 2015 nuclear agreement, which was unilaterally withdrawn from by the Trump administration in 2018.

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