Feb 26, 2026, 8:06 p.mFeb 26, 2026, 8:24 p.m
The potentially decisive round of nuclear negotiations between the USA and Iran has ended without a breakthrough. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi, who is mediating between the two states, was nevertheless optimistic after the talks in Geneva. He spoke of “significant progress” in the negotiations. Talks on a technical level are planned in Vienna next week. If this takes place, details of a possible agreement are likely to be negotiated.
However, it is unclear whether this will happen. A week ago, US President Donald Trump gave the Iranian government an ultimatum until the beginning of March. “Either we reach an agreement or it will be unfortunate for them,” he said. It is rumored that Trump is launching a military attack on the leadership in Tehran and its power apparatus.
Iran submitted draft agreement
The negotiations include, among other things, the controversial Iranian nuclear program. The USA wants to prevent the leadership in Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran’s government denies such intentions, but appears ready to limit its nuclear program. In return, Tehran is demanding the lifting of tough economic sanctions. On Wednesday, Iran submitted a first draft of a new agreement – details of the draft were not disclosed.
Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi (r.), met with Steve Witkoff (m.) and Jared Kushner on Thursday.Image: keystone
The Islamic Republic of Iran does not want to talk about other issues raised by the US – including limiting its missile arsenal or ending support for militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. The team led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi negotiated for Iran, and special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, negotiated for the US side.
US military presence in the region massively increased
The USA has recently significantly expanded its military presence in the region. According to the Wall Street Journal, it is the largest deployment of US air forces in the region since the Iraq War in 2003. On Thursday, the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, left the Greek island of Crete. He is likely to strengthen the US fleet in the Middle East.
At the beginning of February, both states surprisingly started new negotiations. Trump had previously threatened the Iranian leadership over its brutal crackdown on mass protests. Many people in Iran are therefore critical of their government’s talks with the USA. They are calling for a change of power and fear that a deal could strengthen the government’s backing.
The central points of contention
Iran’s government says its nuclear program is only pursuing civilian goals. It refers to a religious decree by Head of State Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which prohibits the construction and use of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs. However, critics are concerned that Iran has enriched uranium to a purity level of 60 percent in recent years.
According to Western information, the Islamic Republic is the only state in the world without its own nuclear bombs that has such highly enriched uranium. Further enrichment to a good 90 percent would be required to build nuclear weapons.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has also been critical of Iran’s nuclear program in the past and called for better access to the country. He is involved in the current nuclear negotiations. In an interview with CNN, he named key points of contention: how to deal with the highly enriched uranium remaining in the country, of which there are said to be more than 400 kilograms; It is also about the future of the central nuclear facilities that were bombed last year, as well as future nuclear activities in Iran, which are to be strictly monitored by the IAEA.
Trump canceled an earlier nuclear deal with Iran
In 2015, Iran had already committed to restricting its nuclear program. In return, sanctions should be lifted. The Vienna nuclear treaty, which was negotiated under his then predecessor Barack Obama, was always a thorn in Trump’s side. In 2018 – during his first term in office – he unilaterally terminated the agreement. At the same time, he had new and tougher sanctions imposed against Iran. As a result, the Iranian leadership no longer adhered to the requirements.
War last year destroyed trust
In the summer of 2025, Israel waged war on Iran, bombing targets across the country. Iran’s air force then fired ballistic missiles at Israel. Civilian areas also came under fire in both countries.
The USA intervened in the war just over a week later. The aim of the military operation called “Midnight Hammer” was the enrichment facilities in Natans and Fordow as well as a nuclear facility in Isfahan. At the time, Trump spoke of a complete destruction of the facilities.
The war surprisingly began just one day before the sixth scheduled round of negotiations between Iran and the USA. It once again shook the Iranian leadership’s confidence in talks with Washington. (hkl/sda/dpa)