{"id":25378,"date":"2026-02-26T11:40:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T11:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=25378"},"modified":"2026-02-26T11:40:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T11:40:22","slug":"iran-says-agreement-with-us-within-reach-as-nuclear-talks-begin-in-geneva-middle-east-live-middle-east-and-north-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=25378","title":{"rendered":"Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live | Middle East and north Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">&#8216;Immediate agreement within reach&#8217;, says Iranian adviser<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ali Shamkhani<\/strong>, a prominent adviser to Iran\u2019s supreme leader, has suggested that an agreement can be reached if the negotiations focused solely on Iran\u2019s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIf the main issue of the negotiations is preventing Iran from producing nuclear weapons, this would be in line with the supreme leader\u2019s fatwa (religious edict) and Iran\u2019s defence doctrine, and <strong>an immediate agreement is within reach<\/strong>,\u201d he posted on X.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added that the Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the talks for Tehran, has \u201csufficient support and authority to secure this agreement\u201d.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a0278a8f08306df23d3491&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a0278a8f08306df23d3491&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a0278a8f08306df23d3491#block-69a0278a8f08306df23d3491\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69a0278a8f08306df23d3491&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ali Shamkhani&lt;\/strong&gt;, a prominent adviser to Iran\u2019s supreme leader, has suggested that an agreement can be reached if the negotiations focused solely on Iran\u2019s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;55d3d7e8-1ab2-4b81-8bed-6ae86f9ed998&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cIf the main issue of the negotiations is preventing Iran from producing nuclear weapons, this would be in line with the supreme leader\u2019s fatwa (religious edict) and Iran\u2019s defence doctrine, and &lt;strong&gt;an immediate agreement is within reach&lt;\/strong&gt;,\u201d he posted on X.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;07c94017-8bd9-4566-a415-6ae1aa350ac8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He added that the Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the talks for Tehran, has \u201csufficient support and authority to secure this agreement\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0df82752-934d-4fab-a7ff-20ce9bf56e59&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772103562000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772104353000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.12\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772104353000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.12\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.12&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;'Immediate agreement within reach', says Iranian adviser&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69a01da78f080f35237781f0&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;ul&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;The nuclear talks today &lt;strong&gt;are the third between the US and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Iran&lt;\/a&gt; since June 2025&lt;\/strong&gt;, when the US joined Israel\u2019s war against Iran and bombed its nuclear and military sites. It effectively ended the US-Iran talks that were held in the weeks prior to the conflict aimed at reaching a nuclear peace agreement.&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;As before, &lt;strong&gt;the negotiations are being mediated by Oman&lt;\/strong&gt;, which has maintained a policy of neutrality and assumed the role of mediator both within the Arabian peninsula and more broadly across the Middle East. The country lies in the centre of tensions between the US and Iran and is directly vulnerable to maritime instability and regional escalation.&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;If the talks fail, there is &lt;strong&gt;uncertainty over what the US may do regarding a possible military attack against Iran&lt;\/strong&gt;, and when it might act. Questions remain over what this could mean for the wider region, with Iran warning it would retaliate and even attack Israel.&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n&lt;\/ul&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a19ebb3c-d7f2-4f59-b6be-ad250de6f6c1&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772101031000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772102111000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.35\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772102111000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.35\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.35&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;What to know&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 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Albusaidi, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner sat on a table with refreshments. &quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Oman's foreign minister Badr Albusaidi (right) holds a meeting with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: AP&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The accompanying message struck a positive tone, saying:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;feae2b7e-eab0-40de-a0e8-3b3f80e1f326&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;[They] reviewed the Iranian side\u2019s views and proposals, as well as the responses and inquiries of the US negotiating team, related to addressing the main elements of Iran\u2019s nuclear programme and the necessary guarantees to achieve the desired agreement on this important issue in all its technical and monitoring aspects.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;[Albusaidi] stated: &lt;strong&gt;Efforts are continuing diligently and constructively&lt;\/strong&gt;, with the negotiators &lt;strong&gt;demonstrating unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions&lt;\/strong&gt;, and creating a supportive environment for progress and reaching a fair agreement with sustainable guarantees.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c7dc4ca5-3879-49f9-9fb4-8cfd4ed3a5cb&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772100307000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.05\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772100774000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.12\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772100705000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.11&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Negotiators showing 'unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas', says Oman&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69a012ab8f08255e30052d82&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Reuters news agency has compiled a list of countries that have pulled diplomatic staff and non-essential workers from some locations in the Middle East or have warned citizens to avoid travelling to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Iran&lt;\/a&gt; amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;20038737-dc7e-41d9-9425-bbd54668f0d3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;They include: the US, Germany, Finland, Australia, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, Cyrpus, India, Brazil and Singapore.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8ee75543-a564-43d4-b19e-4a112f51c729&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;For more details on the travel warnings, click here:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7c6e6bd4-e260-4daa-82fd-b7d836811dcb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Middle East travel warnings expanded as tensions between US and Iran increase&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;968fe16a-3a45-4b8b-b1ff-b26cd50bf1c7&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-middle-east-travel-warnings&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772098219000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772098842000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772098842000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.40&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Countries advising against travel to Iran&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69a00f908f083c3d28adc551&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The third round of US-Iran nuclear talks have begun in Geneva, according to Iranian state media.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6c9f98a6-c81b-46fb-80d8-337e04098f2f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Omani mediators will once again sit across from Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2ce33ada-7343-4d7c-89e8-d69584bc2cbe&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Araghchi met Oman\u2019s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi after arriving in Geneva last night. The ministers \u201creviewed the views and proposals that the Iranian side will present to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, based on the guiding principles agreed upon in the previous round of negotiations\u201d, a report from the state-run Oman News Agency said. Albusaidi will pass on Iran\u2019s offer to US officials today, the news agency added.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5c1799b3-ea4e-44be-bac7-e3f7badfb38b&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772097424000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772097961000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.26\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772097961000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.26\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.26&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Third round of US-Iran nuclear talks begin in Geneva&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69a00a9e8f080f3523778151&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rafael Grossi&lt;\/strong&gt;, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will probably attend the talks, Iranian media has reported, citing a statement from Iran\u2019s foreign ministry.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;58de8017-cc92-4ad8-89c9-62d543897d56&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Grossi had attended the second round of US-Iran talks earlier this month, where he met directly with Iran\u2019s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi. The meeting was a significant step after Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA after the 12-day war with Israel in June.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;359c8583-f7c8-458b-bd54-d9731221fccd&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The UN nuclear watchdog agency said it has been unable to verify the status of Iran\u2019s near weapons-grade uranium stockpile since the war. Iran has allowed the IAEA some access to sites that were not damaged, but has not allowed inspectors to visit other sites.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6e73b8f2-0295-4432-a10a-babcbf323edd&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772096346000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772096879000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.07\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772096879000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.07\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.07&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UN nuclear watchdog chief to join talks, Iran says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699ff75b8f08255e30052cfb&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the US-Iran talks.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d7a131dc-ed5f-46d3-9acd-fa65d37fade5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Iran and US negotiators will be meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva today&lt;strong&gt; for a third round of indirect nuclear talks.&lt;\/strong&gt; The Oman-mediated discussions will take place amid &lt;strong&gt;a&lt;\/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;massive buildup of US warships and aircraft in the Middle East&lt;\/strong&gt; to pressure Iran into a deal.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a6fb13c3-6d36-41e9-acf7-37c588f9f2ab&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;This is the third meeting between the US and Iran&lt;strong&gt; &lt;\/strong&gt;since June last year, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/jun\/13\/israel-strikes-iran-what-we-know-so-far\\&quot;&gt;when Israel launched attacks on Iran &lt;\/a&gt;that sparked a war marked by tit-for-tat airstrikes.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6897c9fa-3000-427d-8fd6-7e5e1e95324c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Ahead of today\u2019s talks, the Iranian president, &lt;strong&gt;Masoud Pezeshkian&lt;\/strong&gt;, said Iran\u2019s supreme leader, &lt;strong&gt;Ali Khamenei&lt;\/strong&gt;, has banned weapons ?of mass destruction, which \u201cclearly means ?Tehran won\u2019t develop nuclear weapons\u201d. Khamenaei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran, is thought to have issued a fatwa \u2013 or religious edict \u2013 banning the Iranian use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, some time before or in 2005.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f42dc66c-3ff3-41d5-b7ab-9cd61462af25&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/24\/trump-state-of-the-union-address\\&quot;&gt;In his State of the Union speech on Tuesday&lt;\/a&gt;, US president &lt;strong&gt;Donald Trump&lt;\/strong&gt; accused Iran of seeking to rebuild its nuclear weapons programme, but gave no clear indication of his intentions regarding a possible military strike against Tehran. He did, however, say he wanted to resolve tensions diplomatically.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;bf036c18-02d4-4fd5-bb69-95071e7f7bf1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Iran has maintained that it will continue to enrich uranium, a component of a nuclear weapon, for peaceful purposes and has long argued that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;faf73c36-8135-4cbb-a996-5a4a838eaa49&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Iran has threatened to retaliate in kind if the US were to launch a strike, and said that it would also attack Israel.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a2e9d9f6-b3a6-4af2-b320-988dc18f1f4e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cThere would be no victory for anybody \u2013 it would be a devastating war,\u201d Iran\u2019s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today before he flew to Geneva.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2f494dea-c6d8-4d9b-ae71-e9c61fef8ee4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;You can read our diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour\u2019s preview of the talks here:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5f211388-9670-4073-baff-f5b7544f4084&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Iran enters critical nuclear talks with US insisting deal is within reach&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;33ac13d2-947c-4e21-aabc-837cd92e2585&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/25\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-critical-stage-trump&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:false,&quot;summary&quot;:true},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1772096346000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1772096565000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.02\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1772096346000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;08.59&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Opening summary&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 26 Feb 2026 11.12 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 26 Feb 2026 08.59 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1772106022067}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-69a024ca8f08306df23d3471\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While we wait for more updates on the US-Iran talks, over in Jordan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in Amman where they visited the World Central Kitchen Food (WCK) hub coordinating food relief for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/gaza\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Gaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Harry and Meghan, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, arrived in Jordan yesterday for a two-day trip to spotlight organisations that help people affected by war and displacement, the PA news agency reported. They visited a refugee camp for thousands of displaced Syrians and met with children from Gaza being treated at a hospital in Amman as part of their trip.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"1ab1520a-8ab2-4863-9c62-6a79fec093ab\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a visit to the World Central Kitchen Food (WCK) hub in Amman, Jordan.<\/span> Photograph: Aaron Chown\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a024ca8f08306df23d3471&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a024ca8f08306df23d3471&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a024ca8f08306df23d3471#block-69a024ca8f08306df23d3471\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-26T10:59:19.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.59 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a022c08f08306df23d345c\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Iran\u2019s semi-official Mehr news agency reported that <strong>Rafael Grossi<\/strong>, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has joined the talks and is the \u201ctechnical observer\u201d of the negotiations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As our diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour reports <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/25\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-critical-stage-trump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>, for Iran, the presence of Grossi at the Geneva talks along with mediators from Oman is regarded as significant, since Grossi has the legal authority to state if he thinks any access offered by Iran to verify its commitments on enrichment matches the inspectorate\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a022c08f08306df23d345c&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a022c08f08306df23d345c&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a022c08f08306df23d345c#block-69a022c08f08306df23d345c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-26T10:43:29.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 10:43 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.43 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a01da78f080f35237781f0\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">What to know<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The nuclear talks today <strong>are the third between the US and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Iran<\/a> since June 2025<\/strong>, when the US joined Israel\u2019s war against Iran and bombed its nuclear and military sites. It effectively ended the US-Iran talks that were held in the weeks prior to the conflict aimed at reaching a nuclear peace agreement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As before, <strong>the negotiations are being mediated by Oman<\/strong>, which has maintained a policy of neutrality and assumed the role of mediator both within the Arabian peninsula and more broadly across the Middle East. The country lies in the centre of tensions between the US and Iran and is directly vulnerable to maritime instability and regional escalation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If the talks fail, there is <strong>uncertainty over what the US may do regarding a possible military attack against Iran<\/strong>, and when it might act. Questions remain over what this could mean for the wider region, with Iran warning it would retaliate and even attack Israel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a01da78f080f35237781f0&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a01da78f080f35237781f0&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a01da78f080f35237781f0#block-69a01da78f080f35237781f0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a01ad38f080f35237781c1\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Negotiators showing &#8216;unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas&#8217;, says Oman<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The state-run Oman News Agency has posted photos on social media showing the Omani foreign minister Badr Albusaidi sat with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"96ea3e21-57d6-4ce1-b293-f70cba586892\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Oman&#8217;s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi (right) holds a meeting with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.<\/span> Photograph: AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The accompanying message struck a positive tone, saying:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>[They] reviewed the Iranian side\u2019s views and proposals, as well as the responses and inquiries of the US negotiating team, related to addressing the main elements of Iran\u2019s nuclear programme and the necessary guarantees to achieve the desired agreement on this important issue in all its technical and monitoring aspects.<\/p>\n<p>[Albusaidi] stated: <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">Efforts are continuing diligently and constructively<\/strong>, with the negotiators <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">demonstrating unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions<\/strong>, and creating a supportive environment for progress and reaching a fair agreement with sustainable guarantees.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a01ad38f080f35237781c1&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a01ad38f080f35237781c1&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a01ad38f080f35237781c1#block-69a01ad38f080f35237781c1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-26T10:12:54.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 10:12 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.12 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a018ef8f080f35237781b7\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/09\/Patrick-Wintour,-R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=e0667fc9c61eae5efd46797b8b06c93c\" alt=\"Patrick Wintour\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Patrick Wintour<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An Iranian agreement on a suspension of uranium enrichment <strong>is not unprecedented<\/strong>. In 2003 the then secretary of the supreme national security council, Hassan Rouhani, agreed with France, Germany and the UK <strong>to suspend all uranium enrichment and processing activities<\/strong> and to allow snap inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Iranian negotiating team who are being asked to present specific proposals at the Geneva talks <strong>will seek irreversible sanctions relief<\/strong> such as the <strong>release of frozen Iranian assets held abroad.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"f5004674-6203-4748-85e1-844d498cb9b2\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:2,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Iran enters critical nuclear talks with US insisting deal is within reach&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f5004674-6203-4748-85e1-844d498cb9b2&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/25\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-critical-stage-trump&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a018ef8f080f35237781b7&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a018ef8f080f35237781b7&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a018ef8f080f35237781b7#block-69a018ef8f080f35237781b7\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a017db8f080f35237781aa\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Esmaeil Baqaei<\/strong>, Iran\u2019s foreign ministry spokesperson, said the talks will solely focus \u201con the nuclear issue\u201d, according to the AFP news agency.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added that Iran will push for the lifting of sanctions and assert Tehran\u2019s right \u201cto peaceful use of nuclear energy\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said these terms were relayed to the Omani foreign minister mediating the talks.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a017db8f080f35237781aa&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a017db8f080f35237781aa&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a017db8f080f35237781aa#block-69a017db8f080f35237781aa\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a012ab8f08255e30052d82\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Countries advising against travel to Iran<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Reuters news agency has compiled a list of countries that have pulled diplomatic staff and non-essential workers from some locations in the Middle East or have warned citizens to avoid travelling to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Iran<\/a> amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">They include: the US, Germany, Finland, Australia, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, Cyrpus, India, Brazil and Singapore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">For more details on the travel warnings, click here:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"370f8158-c151-481f-966c-e0f467f807fa\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:3,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Middle East travel warnings expanded as tensions between US and Iran increase&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;370f8158-c151-481f-966c-e0f467f807fa&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-middle-east-travel-warnings&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a012ab8f08255e30052d82&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a012ab8f08255e30052d82&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a012ab8f08255e30052d82#block-69a012ab8f08255e30052d82\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a00f908f083c3d28adc551\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Third round of US-Iran nuclear talks begin in Geneva<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The third round of US-Iran nuclear talks have begun in Geneva, according to Iranian state media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Omani mediators will once again sit across from Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Araghchi met Oman\u2019s foreign minister Badr Albusaidi after arriving in Geneva last night. The ministers \u201creviewed the views and proposals that the Iranian side will present to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, based on the guiding principles agreed upon in the previous round of negotiations\u201d, a report from the state-run Oman News Agency said. Albusaidi will pass on Iran\u2019s offer to US officials today, the news agency added.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a00f908f083c3d28adc551&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a00f908f083c3d28adc551&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a00f908f083c3d28adc551#block-69a00f908f083c3d28adc551\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a00e6c8f083c3d28adc53f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/09\/Patrick-Wintour,-R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=e0667fc9c61eae5efd46797b8b06c93c\" alt=\"Patrick Wintour\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Patrick Wintour<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It is understood that US special envoy <strong>Steve Witkoff<\/strong>, who is heading to Geneva for the talks along with Trump\u2019s son-in-law <strong>Jared Kushner<\/strong>, has asked only that Iran <strong>agree to enrichment at below 5% purity<\/strong>, roughly the level it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2015\/jul\/14\/iran-nuclear-programme-world-powers-historic-deal-lift-sanctions\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">accepted in the 2015 nuclear deal<\/a> and <strong>well below weapons grade.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A source in contact with Iran\u2019s negotiation team said members were <strong>surprised at the lax terms of the proposal<\/strong> submitted last week by Kushner and Witkoff as a first step. The key request, this source said, was that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Iran<\/a> agree to limit enrichment to 5% and convert the programme to civilian use.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But, in turn, the source said there were <strong>no offers of immediate sanctions relief or diplomatic ties<\/strong>: Iran would be left in economic handcuffs. Still, the next step, the source said, would be negotiations to gradually relieve sanctions and opening dialogue.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"90246063-06ea-4cbc-b719-ec76c175d4dd\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:3,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Iran enters critical nuclear talks with US insisting deal is within reach&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;90246063-06ea-4cbc-b719-ec76c175d4dd&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/25\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-critical-stage-trump&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a00e6c8f083c3d28adc53f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a00e6c8f083c3d28adc53f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a00e6c8f083c3d28adc53f#block-69a00e6c8f083c3d28adc53f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a00a9e8f080f3523778151\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">UN nuclear watchdog chief to join talks, Iran says<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Rafael Grossi<\/strong>, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will probably attend the talks, Iranian media has reported, citing a statement from Iran\u2019s foreign ministry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Grossi had attended the second round of US-Iran talks earlier this month, where he met directly with Iran\u2019s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi. The meeting was a significant step after Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA after the 12-day war with Israel in June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The UN nuclear watchdog agency said it has been unable to verify the status of Iran\u2019s near weapons-grade uranium stockpile since the war. Iran has allowed the IAEA some access to sites that were not damaged, but has not allowed inspectors to visit other sites.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a00a9e8f080f3523778151&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a00a9e8f080f3523778151&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a00a9e8f080f3523778151#block-69a00a9e8f080f3523778151\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69a007848f080f3523778143\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Abbas Araghchi, Iran\u2019s minister of foreign affairs, met with the Omani foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, in Geneva last night. Albusaidi is expected to meet with the US negotiating team this morning<\/p>\n<figure id=\"fddb6863-29d0-4605-afdd-c7ad45f10777\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Omani foreign minister Badr Albusaidi and Iran\u2019s Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Wednesday. <\/span> Photograph: Iranian Foreign Ministry\/WANA\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"dd8d9aea-a291-4145-a4dd-47c5fb2e1c6b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Aragchi and Albusaidi meet ahead of a third round of talks taking place in Geneva between US and Iranian negotiators. <\/span> Photograph: Iranian Foreign Ministry\/WANA\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69a007848f080f3523778143&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69a007848f080f3523778143&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran says agreement with US \u2018within reach\u2019 as nuclear talks begin in Geneva \u2013 Middle East live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69a007848f080f3523778143#block-69a007848f080f3523778143\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-699ff75b8f08255e30052cfb\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Opening summary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the US-Iran talks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Iran and US negotiators will be meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva today<strong> for a third round of indirect nuclear talks.<\/strong> The Oman-mediated discussions will take place amid <strong>a<\/strong> <strong>massive buildup of US warships and aircraft in the Middle East<\/strong> to pressure Iran into a deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This is the third meeting between the US and Iran<strong> <\/strong>since June last year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/jun\/13\/israel-strikes-iran-what-we-know-so-far\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">when Israel launched attacks on Iran <\/a>that sparked a war marked by tit-for-tat airstrikes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Ahead of today\u2019s talks, the Iranian president, <strong>Masoud Pezeshkian<\/strong>, said Iran\u2019s supreme leader, <strong>Ali Khamenei<\/strong>, has banned weapons ?of mass destruction, which \u201cclearly means ?Tehran won\u2019t develop nuclear weapons\u201d. Khamenaei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran, is thought to have issued a fatwa \u2013 or religious edict \u2013 banning the Iranian use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, some time before or in 2005.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/24\/trump-state-of-the-union-address\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">In his State of the Union speech on Tuesday<\/a>, US president <strong>Donald Trump<\/strong> accused Iran of seeking to rebuild its nuclear weapons programme, but gave no clear indication of his intentions regarding a possible military strike against Tehran. He did, however, say he wanted to resolve tensions diplomatically.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Iran has maintained that it will continue to enrich uranium, a component of a nuclear weapon, for peaceful purposes and has long argued that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Iran has threatened to retaliate in kind if the US were to launch a strike, and said that it would also attack Israel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThere would be no victory for anybody \u2013 it would be a devastating war,\u201d Iran\u2019s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today before he flew to Geneva.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">You can read our diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour\u2019s preview of the talks here:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6b1d6758-a655-46bb-a94e-c524239180c5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:9,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Iran enters critical nuclear talks with US insisting deal is within reach&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6b1d6758-a655-46bb-a94e-c524239180c5&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/feb\/25\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-critical-stage-trump&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" 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xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-26T09:02:45.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.02 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;world&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/middleeast&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Middle East and north Africa&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/iran&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Iran&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;us-news\/us-news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;US news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/world&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;World news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/series\/middle-east-crisis&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Series&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Middle East crisis live&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by minute&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/taz-ali&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Taz Ali&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/patrickwintour&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Patrick Wintour&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/contributor\/2015\/2\/4\/1423058508175\/Patrick-Wintour.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=0214aa9c1e69866694a667e8b6f06d4f&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/09\/Patrick-Wintour,-R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=e0667fc9c61eae5efd46797b8b06c93c&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tracking\/commissioningdesk\/uk-foreign&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tracking&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK Foreign&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;contributionsServiceUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2026\/feb\/26\/us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;world\/middleeast,world\/iran,us-news\/us-news,world\/world&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p>#Iran #agreement #reach #nuclear #talks #Geneva #Middle #East #live #Middle #East #north #Africa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8216;Immediate agreement wit&hellip; 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