Iran, US Agree on 'Guiding Principles' for Nuclear Deal Talks

Vance says Iran has not yet acknowledged all of Washington's 'red lines'

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Iran and the United States have agreed on 'guiding principles' for talks aimed at avoiding conflict over Iran's nuclear program, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran has not yet acknowledged all of Washington's 'red lines' in the negotiations, which were mediated by Oman.

Why it matters

The talks come weeks after Iran's government violently cracked down on mass demonstrations, killing thousands. The US has also deployed two aircraft carriers to the region as it piles on pressure. Reaching a deal could ease tensions and prevent potential military conflict, but significant gaps remain between the two sides.

The details

Araghchi said the talks in Geneva were 'more constructive' than the previous round earlier this month, and that once both sides had drafted texts for an agreement, they would exchange them and set a date for a third round of talks. Vance indicated that while some progress was made, Iran has not yet agreed to all of the US's demands. Iran has insisted the talks be limited to the nuclear issue, while Washington has pushed for other topics like Iran's ballistic missiles and regional proxies to be discussed.

  • The talks took place on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Iran's supreme leader warned earlier in the day that the country had the ability to sink a US warship recently deployed to the region.

The players

Abbas Araghchi

Iran's Foreign Minister, who said the two sides agreed on 'guiding principles' for the talks.

JD Vance

US Vice President, who said Iran has not yet acknowledged all of Washington's 'red lines' in the negotiations.

Badr Albusaidi

Oman's Foreign Minister, who said the two sides had made 'good progress' but 'much work is left to be done'.

Steve Witkoff

Trump's friend and roving envoy, who participated in the talks.

Jared Kushner

President Trump's son-in-law, who also participated in the talks.

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What they’re saying

“Ultimately, we were able to reach broad agreement on a set of guiding principles, based on which we will move forward and begin working on the text of a potential agreement.”

— Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister (State television)

“In some ways, it went well; they agreed to meet afterwards. But in other ways, it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”

— JD Vance, US Vice President (Fox News)

“A warship is certainly a dangerous weapon, but even more dangerous is the weapon capable of sinking it.”

— Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader (Speech)

What’s next

The two sides will now work on drafting texts for a potential agreement, and a date for a third round of talks will be set once the drafts are exchanged.

The takeaway

The talks represent a potential diplomatic breakthrough, but significant gaps remain between the US and Iran on key issues. Reaching a deal could ease tensions and prevent military conflict, but Iran's crackdown on protests and the deployment of US naval forces in the region complicate the negotiations.