New round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks to start Thursday as Trump assembles largest military presence in Mideast in decades
Fortune
by Jon Gambrell, The Associated PressFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States and Iran are set to resume nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, with Oman facilitating the discussions. This comes amid heightened tensions as the Trump administration has amassed the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East in decades, signaling a push for concessions from Iran on its nuclear program. Meanwhile, Iran faces internal pressures, including new anti-government protests and domestic unrest.
The talks are a critical step toward addressing concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities, which the U.S. suspects could be used to develop weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and insists on its right to enrich uranium. However, Tehran has not enriched uranium since June, following airstrikes on its nuclear sites by the U.S. and Israel. The talks also touch on broader issues like Iran's missile program and support for armed groups in the region, though Iran refuses to discuss these topics outside of its nuclear activities.
U.S. officials have emphasized that any deal must ensure Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful indefinitely. In exchange, Tehran is seeking relief from economic sanctions. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, expressed optimism about a potential diplomatic resolution, while also signaling readiness for any scenario, including conflict, if negotiations fail. Both sides have prepared for the possibility of war, with President Trump warning of limited military strikes against Iran.
The timing of the talks is significant as new anti-government protests erupt in Iran, adding to domestic instability. University students in Tehran and other cities have demonstrated near memorials marking the anniversary of a deadly crackdown on earlier protests. These internal
Verticals
businessfinance
Originally published on Fortune on 2/22/2026