Iran–US indirect nuclear talks pause for consultations in Geneva

2026-02-26 - 12:44

Shafaq News- Geneva Indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva were suspended for consultations on Thursday and are expected to resume later in the evening, Iran’s semi-official ISNA News Agency reported. Earlier today, the third round of indirect talks opened in Geneva under Omani mediation. Iran’s delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff leads the American side. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is also attending. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Araghchi conveyed Tehran’s position “in detail” to Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi, who is relaying messages between the two delegations. Omani officials also held separate meetings with Witkoff and Araghchi as part of the indirect format, in which the two sides do not meet face-to-face. Grossi met Al-Busaidi ahead of the session. Iran has reiterated that the negotiations are confined to its nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tehran’s refusal to address its ballistic missile program is a “major problem” that must be resolved. Read more: US-Iran Geneva talks begin under shadow of ‘indefinite’ deal and escalation risks