Tehran is offering new concessions in negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, in an effort to keep diplomacy alive and prevent military escalation, as talks between the two sides will continue in Geneva next Thursday. Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed tonight that talks between the US and Iran will continue in Geneva next Thursday. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, whose country mediated the start of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, said the talks have been scheduled “with a positive push to make an additional effort to finalize the agreement.” Earlier, Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi mentioned that it is “likely” he will meet with American envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday, noting that there is still a “good chance” to find a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Axios: Trump gives Iran last chance in talks before launching attack, if Tehran submits its nuclear proposal within 48 hours
The Iran-US give and take
Iran has signaled that it is willing to make concessions in its nuclear program as part of talks with the US, in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to uranium enrichment, as it seeks to prevent a potential American strike. However, the two sides remain deeply divided, even on the scope and timeline of lifting strict American sanctions, after two rounds of talks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
According to Reuters, Iran is offering new concessions after last week’s talks ended with the two sides appearing significantly apart and closer to military confrontation. Analysts believe this move indicates that Tehran is trying to keep diplomacy alive and prevent a major American strike. An official said Tehran would seriously consider a combination of measures that would include sending abroad half of its most highly enriched uranium, diluting the remainder, and participating in creating a regional consortium, an idea that has been floated from time to time around the Iranian issue.
Iran would take these steps in exchange for US recognition of its right to continue uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes, as part of an agreement that would also include lifting economic sanctions, the official said. Additionally, Iran has offered openings to American companies to participate as contractors in the country’s major oil and natural gas sectors, the official said, as part of negotiations aimed at resolving decades of dispute over Tehran’s nuclear activities. “As part of the economic package under negotiation, the US has been offered opportunities for serious investments and substantial economic interests in Iran’s oil sector,” the official said.
Washington believes uranium enrichment within Iran constitutes an attempt to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and demands recognition of its right to uranium enrichment. Iran and the US resumed negotiations earlier this month as the US strengthens its military presence in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if attacked. The Iranian official said the most recent talks highlighted the gap between the two sides, but emphasized that “there is the possibility of achieving an interim agreement” as negotiations continue.
For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a post on platform X, emphasized that Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. “Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario,” he stressed.
Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) February 22, 2026
“Reasonable timeline” for sanctions relief
“The latest round of talks showed that US views on the extent and mechanism of sanctions relief differ from Iran’s requirements. Both sides must agree on a reasonable timeline for sanctions relief,” the official said. “This roadmap must be fair and based on mutual interests.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday he expects to meet with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday, adding that there remains a “good chance” for a diplomatic solution. Araghchi said Friday he expects to have a draft of proposals ready within the next few days, while Trump mentioned he is considering limited military strikes. On Sunday, Witkoff said the president wonders why Iran has not yet “capitulated” and agreed to limit its nuclear program. “Why, under this pressure, with the strong naval presence and sea power there, haven’t they come to us to say: ‘We declare we don’t want a weapon, here’s what we’re willing to do’? And yet it’s somewhat difficult to get them to that point,” Witkoff told Fox News.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Iranian leadership seeks to buy time through talks. “Iran will use this time for various reasons, including to avoid a strike and strengthen protection of nuclear, missile, and military facilities,” he said. While rejecting the American demand for “zero enrichment,” a key friction point in previous negotiations, Tehran has signaled it is ready to make compromises regarding its nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated last year that Iran’s stockpile exceeds 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a small step before the 90% considered suitable for developing a nuclear weapon. Ali Larijani, a close advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, told Al Jazeera television that Iran is ready to allow IAEA inspections to prove it is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
What the US demands
Among American demands are restrictions on Tehran’s long-range ballistic missiles and ending its support for regional armed groups. Iran has categorically rejected discussing the missile issue, while sources told Reuters, without giving details, that “the issue of regional armed groups is not a red line for Tehran.” Iranian officials have said a diplomatic solution would bring economic benefits to both Tehran and Washington. The Iranian official said Tehran would not surrender control of its oil and mineral resources. “Ultimately, the US can be an economic partner for Iran, nothing more. American companies can always participate as contractors in Iran’s oil and natural gas fields.”
