Iran, US set to hold talks as Trump threatens force, imposes sanctions
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Iran and the United States are set to resume nuclear negotiations in Switzerland amid heightened tensions, with both sides expressing a preference for diplomacy while the U.S. continues to escalate economic sanctions and military posturing in the region. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva for indirect talks facilitated by Oman, signaling a fragile attempt to bridge the divide between Tehran and Washington. The discussions come as the U.S. imposes new sanctions targeting Iranian oil vessels, while President Trump has not ruled out military action, describing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a pressing threat.
The negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of mutual distrust. U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, accuse Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program following last year's attacks on Iranian sites by the U.S. Tehran, however, maintains that it adheres to peaceful nuclear activities and is not seeking atomic weapons. Araghchi emphasized the need for a "fair, balanced, and equitable deal," while reiterating Iran’s right to nuclear technology for civilian purposes. The talks also touch on non-nuclear issues such as ballistic missiles, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling Iranian insistence on excluding missile development from negotiations a significant
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026