US envoys in Geneva: Iran nuclear talks progress, Ukraine war discussions continue
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Feb 17, 2026, 22:46 IST
In a pivotal gathering in Geneva, American diplomats engaged in vital discussions surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The dialogue around Iran showed signs of advancement, with Tehran anticipated to unveil its proposals shortly.
US envoys held separate, high-stakes talks in Geneva on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, addressing both Iran's nuclear program and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Progress was reported in the Iran negotiations, with the US expecting detailed proposals from Tehran within two weeks, while discussions on Ukraine occurred amidst renewed Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
US officials stated that "progress was made" during the discussions in Geneva regarding Iran's nuclear program. They anticipate receiving detailed proposals from the Iranian government in the next two weeks to address existing gaps between their positions. Iran's foreign minister confirmed that the two sides agreed on "guiding principles" for the talks, though he acknowledged that more work is needed.
The US military is continuing to build up its posture in the Middle East, while President Donald Trump has warned Iran of a "very traumatic" outcome if a deal is not reached in the coming weeks. Iran has indicated through intermediaries that it could move some of its uranium stockpiles to Russia and is open to economic deals with the US as part of a new nuclear agreement. Sources suggest Iran has also signaled openness to halting enrichment for a period, but considers a permanent ban unacceptable.
Discussions aimed at resolving Russia's war in Ukraine also took place in Geneva. These talks are happening as Ukraine accuses Russia of launching a large combined attack on its energy infrastructure overnight into Tuesday. Kyiv's mayor reported that over 1,000 residential buildings in the capital still lack heat due to Russian attacks on a power plant.
"If at least they can agree on what it is that’s on the table that they’re going to negotiate about, that is a positive development," said Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, regarding Iran's foreign minister's statement about agreeing on "guiding principles." Vaez cautioned that the "substance" of the negotiations would take far longer than the "scope." He noted that Iran's nuclear program was severely damaged by US and Israeli strikes in June, making concessions easier.
"Iran’s nuclear program is now in ruins, so things that were not possible in 2015 – for instance, Iran agreeing to completely suspend its uranium enrichment – are now facts on the ground. Iran has not spun a single centrifuge in the past seven, eight months. It has not enriched a single gram of uranium in that period. So some of the concessions are now easier for the Iranians," Vaez explained. He added that the success of the talks would depend on whether both sides tempered their demands, stating, "If the parties want a limited and achievable agreement, they’re going to have a deal. But if they want to go for overreach, they’re going to have a war."
The US envoys, including President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, led the US delegation in both sets of negotiations. The Iran talks were held at the Omani consulate, while the Russia-Ukraine discussions took place at the InterContinental hotel. This dual-hatted role for special envoys is considered unusual by former diplomats.
"It is not unusual for secretaries of state, or other senior officials with a span of responsibilities, to deal with many different issues in a single trip," said Daniel Fried, former US ambassador to Poland. "It is unusual for special envoys or negotiators to be dual-hatted like this." Fried warned that problems can mount if overstretched envoys are not backed up by teams of experts.
"The combination of dual-hatted people who may not be adequately staffed, and who don’t have – it’s not their fault – but cannot be expected to have a mastery of the details, could lead to problems," he added. Fried suggested that this arrangement indicates the president trusts his son-in-law and special envoy to achieve results.
"But the bottom line is, you have to judge by the results," Fried stated. "So far, the results are impressive with respect to the Ukrainians and the Europeans" – in terms of the concessions Washington has been able to exact – "and unimpressive with respect to the Russians, who have given nothing."
Iran's delegation attending talks with the US in Geneva was expected to head back to Tehran that night, following the conclusion of the second round of negotiations. Iran's semi-official Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that delegations from both sides had left the venue.
Meanwhile, Russia launched another series of attacks on Ukraine on Tuesday morning, hours before the trilateral talks began. Six civilians were injured in a Russian attack on the country’s northern Sumy region, with buildings and cars damaged. At least three people were injured in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson due to Russian attacks. A Russian drone attack on a car transporting power plant employees in the Donetsk region killed three people. Ukraine reported hitting Russia’s Ilsky oil refinery in an overnight strike, causing a fire.
The talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine are expected to last two days. The Ukrainian delegation is being led by Kyiv’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, who thanked the US for its "involvement and consistent work in the negotiation process."
"We are working constructively, with focus and without exaggerated expectations. Our task is to advance as much as possible those decisions that can bring about lasting peace," Umerov said in a statement.
Back in Washington, the Department of Homeland Security remained shut down over a policy fight on immigration reforms. Democrats had sent a counteroffer to the White House regarding DHS reforms, according to a spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"We have reached understandings on the guiding principles, but the drafting and writing phase of the agreement will be more difficult," stated Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He added that the two sides agreed to prepare and exchange draft texts of an agreement before the next round of talks.
"Right now we have a much clearer picture of what work needs to happen and what work needs to continue of course both sides still have work to do to get closer together but at least now we have a framework and a clearer path to go on," Araghchi told state television.
Former US officials and negotiators believe an agreement between the US and Iran remains achievable. Rob Malley, a former US official and lead negotiator on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, suggested a "short-term, fragile arrangement" is theoretically possible.
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat, told CNN that conditions are "very different" from the past but "more favorable" for a deal where Iran provides guarantees to remain a non-nuclear weapon state. "Iran’s current negotiations are centered on survival and the preservation of its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. In this regard, Iran will under no circumstances bargain away its defensive deterrence capabilities," Mousavian said.
Benjamin Radd, a senior fellow at UCLA Burkle Center, noted that Iran's insistence on the nuclear program being the sole focus of discussions may limit the chance of a deal. He explained that Iran considers its ballistic missile program critical for its defense, a point of contention with the US.
"The nuclear element is the one issue they’re (Iran) willing to discuss. So, the stakes for them are limited and confined to that," Radd said. He anticipates that any deal would require zero uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, with all enrichment done off-site. Additionally, Radd expects the deal to address Iran's ballistic missile development and limit its ability to create problems abroad.
US officials stated that "progress was made" during the discussions in Geneva regarding Iran's nuclear program. They anticipate receiving detailed proposals from the Iranian government in the next two weeks to address existing gaps between their positions. Iran's foreign minister confirmed that the two sides agreed on "guiding principles" for the talks, though he acknowledged that more work is needed.
The US military is continuing to build up its posture in the Middle East, while President Donald Trump has warned Iran of a "very traumatic" outcome if a deal is not reached in the coming weeks. Iran has indicated through intermediaries that it could move some of its uranium stockpiles to Russia and is open to economic deals with the US as part of a new nuclear agreement. Sources suggest Iran has also signaled openness to halting enrichment for a period, but considers a permanent ban unacceptable.
Discussions aimed at resolving Russia's war in Ukraine also took place in Geneva. These talks are happening as Ukraine accuses Russia of launching a large combined attack on its energy infrastructure overnight into Tuesday. Kyiv's mayor reported that over 1,000 residential buildings in the capital still lack heat due to Russian attacks on a power plant.
"If at least they can agree on what it is that’s on the table that they’re going to negotiate about, that is a positive development," said Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, regarding Iran's foreign minister's statement about agreeing on "guiding principles." Vaez cautioned that the "substance" of the negotiations would take far longer than the "scope." He noted that Iran's nuclear program was severely damaged by US and Israeli strikes in June, making concessions easier.
"Iran’s nuclear program is now in ruins, so things that were not possible in 2015 – for instance, Iran agreeing to completely suspend its uranium enrichment – are now facts on the ground. Iran has not spun a single centrifuge in the past seven, eight months. It has not enriched a single gram of uranium in that period. So some of the concessions are now easier for the Iranians," Vaez explained. He added that the success of the talks would depend on whether both sides tempered their demands, stating, "If the parties want a limited and achievable agreement, they’re going to have a deal. But if they want to go for overreach, they’re going to have a war."
The US envoys, including President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, led the US delegation in both sets of negotiations. The Iran talks were held at the Omani consulate, while the Russia-Ukraine discussions took place at the InterContinental hotel. This dual-hatted role for special envoys is considered unusual by former diplomats.
"It is not unusual for secretaries of state, or other senior officials with a span of responsibilities, to deal with many different issues in a single trip," said Daniel Fried, former US ambassador to Poland. "It is unusual for special envoys or negotiators to be dual-hatted like this." Fried warned that problems can mount if overstretched envoys are not backed up by teams of experts.
"The combination of dual-hatted people who may not be adequately staffed, and who don’t have – it’s not their fault – but cannot be expected to have a mastery of the details, could lead to problems," he added. Fried suggested that this arrangement indicates the president trusts his son-in-law and special envoy to achieve results.
"But the bottom line is, you have to judge by the results," Fried stated. "So far, the results are impressive with respect to the Ukrainians and the Europeans" – in terms of the concessions Washington has been able to exact – "and unimpressive with respect to the Russians, who have given nothing."
Iran's delegation attending talks with the US in Geneva was expected to head back to Tehran that night, following the conclusion of the second round of negotiations. Iran's semi-official Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that delegations from both sides had left the venue.
Meanwhile, Russia launched another series of attacks on Ukraine on Tuesday morning, hours before the trilateral talks began. Six civilians were injured in a Russian attack on the country’s northern Sumy region, with buildings and cars damaged. At least three people were injured in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson due to Russian attacks. A Russian drone attack on a car transporting power plant employees in the Donetsk region killed three people. Ukraine reported hitting Russia’s Ilsky oil refinery in an overnight strike, causing a fire.
The talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine are expected to last two days. The Ukrainian delegation is being led by Kyiv’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, who thanked the US for its "involvement and consistent work in the negotiation process."
"We are working constructively, with focus and without exaggerated expectations. Our task is to advance as much as possible those decisions that can bring about lasting peace," Umerov said in a statement.
Back in Washington, the Department of Homeland Security remained shut down over a policy fight on immigration reforms. Democrats had sent a counteroffer to the White House regarding DHS reforms, according to a spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"We have reached understandings on the guiding principles, but the drafting and writing phase of the agreement will be more difficult," stated Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He added that the two sides agreed to prepare and exchange draft texts of an agreement before the next round of talks.
"Right now we have a much clearer picture of what work needs to happen and what work needs to continue of course both sides still have work to do to get closer together but at least now we have a framework and a clearer path to go on," Araghchi told state television.
Former US officials and negotiators believe an agreement between the US and Iran remains achievable. Rob Malley, a former US official and lead negotiator on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, suggested a "short-term, fragile arrangement" is theoretically possible.
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat, told CNN that conditions are "very different" from the past but "more favorable" for a deal where Iran provides guarantees to remain a non-nuclear weapon state. "Iran’s current negotiations are centered on survival and the preservation of its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. In this regard, Iran will under no circumstances bargain away its defensive deterrence capabilities," Mousavian said.
Benjamin Radd, a senior fellow at UCLA Burkle Center, noted that Iran's insistence on the nuclear program being the sole focus of discussions may limit the chance of a deal. He explained that Iran considers its ballistic missile program critical for its defense, a point of contention with the US.
"The nuclear element is the one issue they’re (Iran) willing to discuss. So, the stakes for them are limited and confined to that," Radd said. He anticipates that any deal would require zero uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, with all enrichment done off-site. Additionally, Radd expects the deal to address Iran's ballistic missile development and limit its ability to create problems abroad.