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Negotiations between Iran and the United States concluded in Geneva on Thursday, with officials reporting “significant progress” and scheduling the next round of talks in Vienna in the coming days.
While senior U.S. officials characterized this third round of discussions as “positive,” according to Axios, Iranian state media conveyed that Tehran intends to continue its uranium enrichment and dismissed suggestions to transfer the enriched material abroad.
As reported by The Associated Press, Iran is also advocating for the removal of international sanctions, indicating a reluctance to comply with the demands set by President Donald Trump.
The discussions primarily took place indirectly, with Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, acting as an intermediary between the two parties.
Oman’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, was seen giving a thumbs up as he departed his hotel en route to the Omani ambassador’s residence, where new talks between the U.S. and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program were to occur. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
In a post on X, al-Busaidi confirmed that the round had concluded and said discussions would resume soon.
“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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