Speaking after the discussions, Araghchi said different ideas were presented and seriously debated. He explained that both sides were able to agree on some main principles, which could help move the talks forward.
The indirect negotiations were held with US representatives and were mediated by Oman. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said that “much work is yet to be done” but added that both countries are leaving with “clear next steps”.
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Following Araghchi’s comments, global oil prices fell. Brent crude dropped more than 1 percent, as fears of a possible military conflict in the region eased.
Today’s indirect negotiations between The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in Geneva concluded with good progress towards identifying common goals and relevant technical issues. The spirit of our meetings was constructive. Together we made serious…
— Badr Albusaidi - بدر البوسعيدي (@badralbusaidi) February 17, 2026
At the same time, Iran announced it would temporarily shut parts of the Strait of Hormuz for “security precautions” while its Revolutionary Guards carried out military drills. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil routes. Any closure could affect a large share of global oil supplies.
Earlier, Araghchi said the US must stop threatening to use force against Iran. He described the talks as a “new window of opportunity” and expressed hope for a sustainable solution that respects Iran’s rights.
US President Donald Trump said he would be involved indirectly in the talks and believes Iran wants a deal. He warned about consequences if no agreement is reached and referred to previous US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded strongly to talk of possible regime change, saying any US attempt to remove Iran’s government would fail.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tehran has shared its views about sanctions relief and a possible framework for agreement. However, Iran insists it will only discuss limits on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. It has refused to fully stop uranium enrichment or negotiate over its missile program.
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A US official said progress was made, but many details still need discussion. According to the official, Iran will return within two weeks with detailed proposals to bridge the remaining gaps.
The talks come after earlier military tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US. Iran is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which allows peaceful nuclear energy under international monitoring.
