New Delhi (India) February 16:Iran’s foreign minister is at Geneva before the next round of United States talks, Iranian state television announced Monday, as Washington maintains pressure on the Islamic republic.
The rivalry between the United States and Iran still reigns supreme. In the midst of these, Iran said it had warned the US of the possibility of an attack and that its military bases in the Middle East would be targeted by Washington if the United States chose to strike Tehran.

Indirect Nuclear Talks Resume Tuesday

Tehran’s indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks will take place Tuesday (February 17, 2026), although Washington has previously pushed for other topics to be discussed including Iran's ballistic missiles and support for regional proxies.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for economic diplomacy Hamid Ghanbari said that Tehran was looking for a deal with the United States that would benefit both countries economically, especially in areas of aviation, mining and oil and gas. 

Tehran Seeks Sanctions Relief

Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi signaled that Tehran may be amenable on the nuclear front but has been seeking an easing of international sanctions imposed by the United States.
“The ball is in America’s court. They have to prove they want to have a deal with us. If we see sincerity on their part, I am sure that we will be on a road to have an agreement," he said.

Hormuz Strait Drill Heightens Tensions

Worsening the tension, Iran initiated a military drill on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz - a critical international waterway and oil export route from Gulf Arab states who have also demanded diplomacy to end the dispute.
The drill, referred to as the “Smart Control of Hormuz Strait”, will test whether operational forces are able to withstand potential security and military threats. 

Araghchi's Geneva Agenda

Abbas Araghchi is set to meet with his Swiss and Omani counterparts and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, as well as other foreign officials during his trip to Geneva, Iran's foreign ministry said. 

Post-Israel Strike Negotiations Restart

The latest talks followed Trump’s repeated threats of military action against Iran, first over Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests, then more recently over the country’s nuclear programme.
Tehran and Washington re-started negotiations this month after previous talks collapsed last June when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran.