US and Iran Reach Nuclear Guiding Principles Amid Military Buildup

The United States and Iran reached a general agreement on guiding principles for a potential nuclear deal during a second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva on February 17, 2026. Mediated by Oman, the talks involved U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. While Araghchi described the progress as a "new window of opportunity," U.S. Vice President JD Vance cautioned that Tehran has not yet acknowledged "red lines" set by President Donald Trump, particularly regarding the total cessation of uranium enrichment and limits on ballistic missiles.

Diplomacy occurred alongside severe military escalation. President Donald Trump deployed a massive naval armada to the Middle East, including the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, and suggested that regime change in Iran would be the "best thing that could happen." In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted live-fire missile drills and temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the U.S. military could be struck so hard it "cannot get up again," claiming Iran possesses weapons capable of sinking American warships.

To incentivize a deal, Iran proposed offering the U.S. economic benefits in oil, gas, and mining sectors. However, the U.S. has reportedly issued a 14-day ultimatum to Iran for a satisfactory proposal to avoid military action. Both nations agreed to exchange detailed draft texts within two weeks before scheduling a third round of talks. The situation remains volatile, with the U.S. and Israel coordinating potential strikes on Iranian missile facilities if diplomacy fails.