US, Iran resume nuclear talks as Trump ratchets up war threats

Negotiations are underway in the Swiss city days after President Donald Trump sought to build a case for war with Iran.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Feb 26, 2026

WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran have resumed nuclear negotiations, holding a third round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday as President Donald Trump continues to threaten military action if no deal is reached. 

Oman’s foreign minister, who is mediating the talks, announced on X that the negotiators were breaking after three hours and will reconvene later in the day. 

“We’ve been exchanging creative and positive ideas in Geneva today, and now both US and Iranian negotiators have adjourned for a break,” Badr Albusaidi wrote. “We’ll resume later today. We hope to make more progress.” 

The talks come as the US military continues to build up its air and naval presence in the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carriers to provide President Donald Trump with potential strike options. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump accused Tehran of resuming work on its nuclear program and developing missiles that could “soon” be capable of reaching the United States. 

Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said Thursday on X that “an immediate agreement is within reach” if the negotiations focus on Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. Shamkhani added that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the Iranian delegation, has “sufficient support and authority to secure this agreement.”

Iran’s uranium enrichment was effectively halted as a result of the US bombing of its nuclear facilities. Prior to the strikes, Iran was enriching uranium to 60% — a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% and well beyond what’s necessary for civil nuclear energy.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Iran is not currently enriching but said, “They're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can."

"After their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it,” Rubio said. “You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it."

Related Topics

Iran Deal

© Al Monitor