Iran Meets with UN Nuclear Agency Ahead of Next Round of Talks with US

The meeting comes as Iran and the US prepare for another round of negotiations on the nuclear deal.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Iran's top diplomat met with the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency on Monday, ahead of a second round of negotiations with the United States over the nuclear deal. The meeting in Geneva comes as the two sides prepare to resume talks aimed at reviving the 2015 agreement that limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Why it matters

The nuclear deal has been a key point of contention between Iran and the US for years. The upcoming talks represent an opportunity for the two adversaries to make progress on the issue, which has broader implications for regional stability and global nonproliferation efforts.

The details

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to discuss Iran's nuclear program and the agency's monitoring activities in the country. The meeting came ahead of the next round of negotiations between Iran and the US, which are set to take place in the coming weeks.

  • The meeting between Amir-Abdollahian and Grossi took place on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • The next round of talks between Iran and the US on the nuclear deal are scheduled for the coming weeks.

The players

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Iran's Foreign Minister, who met with the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency to discuss Iran's nuclear program.

Rafael Grossi

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who met with Iran's Foreign Minister to discuss the agency's monitoring activities in the country.

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What they’re saying

“The meeting between Amir-Abdollahian and Grossi was an important step in the ongoing efforts to address the nuclear issue and maintain transparency around Iran's nuclear activities.”

— Unnamed diplomat

What’s next

The upcoming round of talks between Iran and the US will be closely watched to see if the two sides can make progress on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

The takeaway

The meeting between Iran and the UN nuclear agency underscores the complex and delicate nature of the negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, which have significant implications for regional and global security.