Amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign, Iran has indicated it is open to addressing Western concerns regarding its nuclear stockpile. Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated on Sunday, February 15, 2026, that while the “ball is in America’s court,” Tehran is prepared to discuss significant compromises—including the dilution of its highly enriched uranium.
The second round of indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, is officially scheduled to begin this Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The “Dual-Track” Diplomatic Landscape
As diplomats prepare for the Geneva summit, the stakes have rarely been higher. The negotiations are currently shaped by two sharply contrasting approaches:
- Tehran’s “Grand Bargain” Offer: Iran has floated the possibility of diluting its 60% enriched uranium (a short step from weapons-grade) back down to 20%. However, Mohammad Eslami, Iran’s nuclear chief, emphasized this is strictly contingent on the lifting of all U.S. sanctions.
- Trump’s “Zero Enrichment” Mandate: President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have maintained a hardline stance, demanding a total ban on domestic enrichment. Trump recently warned that failure to reach a deal would be “very traumatic” for the Iranian regime.+1
The “Maximum Pressure” Armada
To reinforce his diplomatic position, President Trump has authorized a significant military and economic buildup:
- Naval Surge: The USS Gerald R. Ford strike group is currently en route to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- Economic Blockade: Following a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump signaled a “full force” drive to cut Iranian oil exports to China, using an Executive Order that threatens 25% tariffs on any nation trading with Tehran.
Key Players at the Geneva Summit (Feb 17)
The indirect talks will feature high-level delegations, with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi acting as the primary bridge.
| Delegation | Key Representatives |
| United States | Steve Witkoff (Mideast Envoy), Jared Kushner (Senior Adviser) |
| Iran | Abbas Araghchi (Foreign Minister), Majid Takht-Ravanchi (Deputy FM) |
| Mediators | Omani Delegation & Swiss Host Diplomats |
Historical Context: The June 2025 War
Current negotiations are haunted by the memory of Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025. Following the collapse of previous talks, Israel launched a 12-day war supported by U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow. Both sides are acutely aware that a similar failure in Geneva could trigger a return to open conflict.+2