Negotiations between Iran and the United States concluded in Geneva on Thursday, with officials reporting “significant progress.” A follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in Vienna in the coming days.
Despite U.S. officials characterizing the third round of talks as “positive,” according to a report by Axios, Iranian state television announced Tehran’s intention to continue enriching uranium. The report also indicated Iran’s refusal to accept proposals for transferring enriched uranium abroad.
The Associated Press noted that Iran is also demanding the removal of international sanctions, suggesting a reluctance to comply with the demands set by former President Donald Trump.
These negotiations have largely taken place indirectly, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi acting as an intermediary to convey messages between the two nations.
Oman’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, was seen giving a thumbs-up as he departed his hotel to head to the Omani ambassador’s residence for further discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
In a post on social media platform X, al-Busaidi confirmed the conclusion of this round of talks and mentioned that discussions will continue shortly.
“We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,” he said on X.
“We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA, and our hosts, the Swiss government,” al-Busaidi said.
There was no immediate public statement from U.S. or Iranian officials after the session.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner (L) meet with Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi (R) in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss ongoing diplomatic negotiations on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs/X)
Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, attended the three-hour negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was also involved, with Iranian officials presenting a draft proposal for a potential nuclear agreement with the U.S., which has key demands.
Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium and has appeared to refuse to negotiate over other issues, including its long-range missile program and support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pictured sitting next to a senior military official in Iran. (Getty Images)
Trump, meanwhile, insists on a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. In his State of the Union address Feb. 24, the president said he prefers a diplomatic solution.
“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,” the president said. “Can’t let that happen.”
As the Geneva talks unfolded Thursday, Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also wrote on X that if the main U.S. concern is preventing a nuclear weapon, that stance “aligns” with Khamenei’s fatwa and Iran’s defensive doctrine.
He added that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has “sufficient support and authority” to come to a final agreement in the talks.
The development came as the U.S. continues assembling military assets, including a fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
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