US-Iran tensions live: US-Iran nuclear talks resume in Geneva amid Donald Trump’s ‘never allow’ warning
US Iran tensions live updates: The United States and Iran are set to meet in Geneva on Thursday for the third round of nuclear negotiations this month, even as US President Donald Trump intensifies military pressure and reiterates his warning that Washington will not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.
The latest round of indirect talks comes amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. The two sides are attempting to break a decades-long deadlock over Iran’s nuclear programme — one that Washington, Western powers and Israel believe is aimed at developing nuclear arms. Tehran has consistently denied the charge, maintaining that its programme is for peaceful purposes.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to participate in the discussions, alongside Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, a US official told news agency Reuters. Oman’s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi will once again mediate the talks, following a previous round held in Geneva last week.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi is also expected in Geneva during the talks, as he was last week, to hold discussions with both delegations.
US-Iran’s diplomacy under pressure
The negotiations are unfolding against a tense backdrop. In June last year, the United States joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites. Since then, Iran has warned it would retaliate forcefully if attacked again.
Trump, who is serving his second term as US President after winning the 2025 election, addressed the issue during his State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday. He made clear that while diplomacy is his preferred path, military action remains an option.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy—but one thing is certain: I will NEVER allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are, by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
He repeated the warning in categorical terms: “But one thing is certain. I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”
Trump also said Iran wants “to make a deal,” but added that Washington has yet to hear what he called the “secret words” — a firm declaration that “We will never build a nuclear weapon.”
Earlier, on February 19, Trump had set a tight timeline, saying Iran must reach an agreement within 10 to 15 days or face consequences, warning that “really bad things” would otherwise happen.
Tehran signals flexibility, but draws red lines
On the Iranian side, Araqchi has said that a deal remains possible only if diplomacy is prioritised. “A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority,” Araqchi said in a statement on X.
He has also stressed that while Iran seeks a “fair” and swift agreement, it will not give up what it describes as its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
The United States and Iran have been at odds for years over Tehran’s nuclear programme, which Washington and its allies claim could lead to weapons development, a charge Iran denies.
US-Iran key nuclear talks in Geneva today: Top 10 developments so far
1. Diplomatic efforts earlier last year collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June, triggering a 12-day conflict that saw the US briefly join military action against Iran’s facilities.
2. After failing to reach a deal, both sides returned to indirect talks this month, first in Oman and then in Geneva.
3. Oman’s foreign minister is expected to mediate the negotiations on Thursday, with leaders from both countries participating, including US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi.
4. Meanwhile, the US has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying ships and aircraft, stoking fears of a broader conflict if diplomacy fails.
5. In his State of the Union address, President Trump accused Iran of “pursuing sinister nuclear ambitions” and claimed the country was developing missiles that could threaten Europe and potentially the US.
6. Iranian officials dismissed those missile and nuclear allegations as “big lies” and have defended their programme as peaceful.
7. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Iran’s refusal to negotiate on its ballistic missile programme is a “big problem,” signalling that the US wants talks to cover more than just nuclear issues.
8. Iran faces domestic strain from economic sanctions and widespread protests, complicating its position in talks with the US.
9. While some progress in talks has been acknowledged, deep divisions remain over sanctions relief, enrichment limits and missiles.
10. According to a Reuters report on Sunday, Tehran has offered fresh concessions in exchange for sanctions relief and formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium. Yet significant gaps remain.
…Read More
The latest round of indirect talks comes amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. The two sides are attempting to break a decades-long deadlock over Iran’s nuclear programme — one that Washington, Western powers and Israel believe is aimed at developing nuclear arms. Tehran has consistently denied the charge, maintaining that its programme is for peaceful purposes.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to participate in the discussions, alongside Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, a US official told news agency Reuters. Oman’s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi will once again mediate the talks, following a previous round held in Geneva last week.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi is also expected in Geneva during the talks, as he was last week, to hold discussions with both delegations.
US-Iran’s diplomacy under pressure
The negotiations are unfolding against a tense backdrop. In June last year, the United States joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites. Since then, Iran has warned it would retaliate forcefully if attacked again.
Trump, who is serving his second term as US President after winning the 2025 election, addressed the issue during his State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday. He made clear that while diplomacy is his preferred path, military action remains an option.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy—but one thing is certain: I will NEVER allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are, by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
He repeated the warning in categorical terms: “But one thing is certain. I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”
Trump also said Iran wants “to make a deal,” but added that Washington has yet to hear what he called the “secret words” — a firm declaration that “We will never build a nuclear weapon.”
Earlier, on February 19, Trump had set a tight timeline, saying Iran must reach an agreement within 10 to 15 days or face consequences, warning that “really bad things” would otherwise happen.
Tehran signals flexibility, but draws red lines
On the Iranian side, Araqchi has said that a deal remains possible only if diplomacy is prioritised. “A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority,” Araqchi said in a statement on X.
He has also stressed that while Iran seeks a “fair” and swift agreement, it will not give up what it describes as its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
The United States and Iran have been at odds for years over Tehran’s nuclear programme, which Washington and its allies claim could lead to weapons development, a charge Iran denies.
US-Iran key nuclear talks in Geneva today: Top 10 developments so far
1. Diplomatic efforts earlier last year collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June, triggering a 12-day conflict that saw the US briefly join military action against Iran’s facilities.
2. After failing to reach a deal, both sides returned to indirect talks this month, first in Oman and then in Geneva.
3. Oman’s foreign minister is expected to mediate the negotiations on Thursday, with leaders from both countries participating, including US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi.
4. Meanwhile, the US has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying ships and aircraft, stoking fears of a broader conflict if diplomacy fails.
5. In his State of the Union address, President Trump accused Iran of “pursuing sinister nuclear ambitions” and claimed the country was developing missiles that could threaten Europe and potentially the US.
6. Iranian officials dismissed those missile and nuclear allegations as “big lies” and have defended their programme as peaceful.
7. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Iran’s refusal to negotiate on its ballistic missile programme is a “big problem,” signalling that the US wants talks to cover more than just nuclear issues.
8. Iran faces domestic strain from economic sanctions and widespread protests, complicating its position in talks with the US.
9. While some progress in talks has been acknowledged, deep divisions remain over sanctions relief, enrichment limits and missiles.
10. According to a Reuters report on Sunday, Tehran has offered fresh concessions in exchange for sanctions relief and formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium. Yet significant gaps remain.
Follow all the updates here:
Feb 26, 2026 11:05:32 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: What’s happening in Geneva ahead of key negotiations?
US-Iran tensions live updates: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Geneva for the third round of high-stakes negotiations with the United States, setting the stage for talks scheduled on Thursday.
An aircraft carrying Araqchi touched down in the Swiss city on Wednesday evening local time. He is expected to lead the Iranian delegation in discussions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
On the US side, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is heading the delegation, along with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Witkoff has signalled that Washington wants any agreement concerning Iran’s nuclear activities to be permanent.
Feb 26, 2026 10:26:22 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Dozens of US fighter jets tracked heading to Middle East, says report
US-Iran tensions live updates: Dozens of American fighter aircraft have reportedly been tracked flying toward the Middle East from bases in the United States and Europe, according to open-source analysts cited by Al Jazeera.
The Military Air Tracking Alliance, a group that monitors military flight activity, reported that aircraft including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s and F-16s were observed heading toward the Gulf region.
Feb 26, 2026 10:20:45 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: ‘Gaps obviously exist’ between US and Iran, says Al Jazeera correspondent
US-Iran tensions live updates: Al Jazeera correspondent Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said the United States and Iran remain far apart on key issues ahead of the latest round of talks in Geneva.
Disagreements extend beyond uranium enrichment to include non-nuclear matters “related to foreign assistance, ballistic missiles, defence capabilities, as well as regional activities of the country,” he added.
“The bottom line is gaps obviously exist,” the news outlet quoted its correspondent as saying. “It remains to be seen whether diplomatic engagement could pave the way for a final solution between Washington and Tehran. Until then and for the time being, if anything is certain, that is uncertainty.”
Feb 26, 2026 10:13:14 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Iranian official likens Trump’s rhetoric to Hitler-era propaganda
US-Iran tensions live updates: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday accused the Trump administration of spreading misinformation about Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
“Whatever they’re alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of ‘big lies’,” Baghaei wrote on X.
He went further, comparing the administration’s approach to the propaganda tactics of Joseph Goebbels, the information minister of Adolf Hitler.
Feb 26, 2026 10:03:00 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Uncertainty surrounds Iran’s nuclear infrastructure
US-Iran tensions live updates: The current state of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains unclear, with conflicting claims over the impact of last year’s US strikes.
US President Donald Trump has said that American attacks “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme. However, international inspectors have not independently verified the extent of the damage.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have not been allowed to inspect those sites and verify what remains, reported AP.
Feb 26, 2026 9:38:44 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Rubio says Tehran attempting to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles
US-Iran tensions live updates: US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Iran is attempting to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, sharpening Washington’s concerns ahead of renewed negotiations.
Rubio said the talks scheduled for Thursday with Iranian officials in Geneva will be largely focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme, even as the missile issue remains a point of contention.
Feb 26, 2026 9:27:55 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Trump officials warn Iran remains major threat ahead of talks
US-Iran tensions live updates: Speaking to reporters during a visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis, US secretary of state Marco Rubio echoed the president’s recent remarks.
“After their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are,” Rubio said. “You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. They’re not enriching right now, but they’re trying to get to the point where they ultimately can,” reported Reuters.
Feb 26, 2026 9:12:02 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Iran’s foreign minister arrives in Geneva for fresh US talks
US-Iran tensions live updates: A flight carrying Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi landed in Geneva late Wednesday, ahead of a new round of nuclear talks with the United States, reported AP.
Araqchi and his team are set to meet American officials on Thursday for the third round of negotiations this month. The US delegation is expected to be led by Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Feb 26, 2026 9:08:44 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Where are US Navy ships as tensions rise with Iran?
US-Iran tensions live updates: Satellite images taken Tuesday by Planet Labs PBC and analysed by The Associated Press appear to show that US Navy vessels typically docked in Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, are currently out at sea.
The dispersal of ships comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, as Washington and Tehran prepare for renewed nuclear talks in Geneva.
A similar move was observed before Iran’s attack on Qatar in June, when the 5th Fleet scattered its vessels at sea as a precaution against a potential strike, the report added.
Feb 26, 2026 8:55:37 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Iran hands nuclear proposal to Oman ahead of fresh talks
US-Iran tensions live updates: Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, who is expected to take part in the Geneva talks on Thursday, has handed over Tehran’s nuclear proposal to Oman’s top diplomat ahead of fresh negotiations.
According to Iran’s official news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the document includes “the key elements of a potential agreement.”
Feb 26, 2026 8:51:08 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: US senator calls moment a ‘unique opportunity’ to topple Iran regime
US-Iran tensions live updates: US senator John Fetterman on Wednesday said the Iranian leadership is at its weakest point in decades, describing the current situation as a rare opening for political change in Tehran.
Speaking to Newsmax, Fetterman said, “Iranian regime is the weakest it has been in decades right now and it is a unique opportunity to topple it or install a better way forward for Iran.”
Feb 26, 2026 8:28:21 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Rubio says Trump hasn’t decided on a strike, progress needed first
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday reiterated that no decision has been made on a potential US military strike against Iran, even as tensions remain high ahead of the latest nuclear talks in Geneva.
Asked whether Thursday’s meeting could be a make-or-break moment for a possible strike, Rubio told reporters that “the president’s made no decision on that, so I don’t know if Thursday’s the key date for that,” reported AFP.
Feb 26, 2026 8:26:43 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Rubio calls Iran’s refusal to discuss missiles a ‘big problem’
US-Iran tensions live updates: US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Wednesday said Iran’s unwillingness to negotiate over its missile programme poses a serious obstacle, after President Donald Trump alleged Tehran was developing rockets that could eventually reach the United States.
“I would say that the Iranian insistence on not discussing ballistic missiles is a big, big problem,” Rubio told reporters, speaking on the eve of fresh nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva, reported AFP.
“The president wants diplomatic solutions. He prefers them greatly,” Rubio said.
He added that while the immediate focus remains the nuclear file, broader concerns cannot be ignored. “Hopefully they’re productive, but eventually we’ll have to have conversations about more than just a nuclear program.”
Feb 26, 2026 8:20:12 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Talks resume after earlier rounds in Oman, Geneva
US-Iran tensions live updates: The current round of diplomacy follows two earlier meetings this month. The United States and Iran first held talks in Oman, which is mediating the negotiations, before convening for a second round in Geneva last week.
An earlier push for negotiations had collapsed dramatically last June when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran, triggering a 12-day war. Washington briefly joined the conflict, carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Feb 26, 2026 8:17:49 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Trump claims Iran developing missiles that could reach US, Tehran responds
US-Iran tensions live updates: In his State of the Union address, US President Donald Trump sharpened his rhetoric against Tehran, accusing Iran of “pursuing sinister nuclear ambitions.”
He went further, claiming that Iran had “already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.”
Iran swiftly rejected the allegations. The Iranian foreign ministry described Trump’s claims as “big lies,” pushing back against the suggestion that Tehran is building intercontinental missile capabilities aimed at the US mainland.
Based on Iran’s own public disclosures, the maximum range of its missiles stands at around 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles). The US Congressional Research Service has estimated their range at roughly 3,000 kilometres, still less than a third of the distance to the continental United States, reported AFP.
Feb 26, 2026 7:59:22 AM IST
US-Iran tensions live updates: Key players to attend Geneva nuclear talks today
US-Iran tensions live updates: The upcoming round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva will bring together senior representatives from both sides, along with key international mediators.
On the American side, US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to take part in the discussions. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will also be present, a US official told news agency Reuters.
Iran will be represented by its foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, who has been leading Tehran’s diplomatic engagement in the renewed talks.
Oman will once again play the role of mediator, with foreign minister Badr Albusaidi facilitating the indirect negotiations. Muscat has been central to backchannel diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, including during the previous round held in Geneva last week.
In addition, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi is expected to be in Geneva during the talks. As he did last week, Grossi is likely to hold discussions with both delegations.
