Iran Vows Swift Deal with U.S. as Geneva Negotiations Begin

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:45 PM EST
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated on Tuesday that Tehran is prepared to take any necessary steps to secure an agreement with the United States as both nations prepare for renewed diplomatic discussions in Geneva.

U.S. officials confirmed negotiations would commence Thursday, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner scheduled to meet an Iranian delegation. The talks resumed earlier this month amid escalating U.S. military activities across the Middle East, following Iran’s threats to target American bases if attacked.

“We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible. We will do whatever it takes to make this happen,” Takht-Ravanchi declared in state media comments. “We will enter the negotiating room in Geneva with complete honesty and good faith.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s initial preference remained diplomatic engagement but he retained readiness for lethal force if required.

A senior Iranian official revealed Tehran would seriously consider sending half its most highly enriched uranium abroad, diluting the remainder while joining regional nuclear enrichment efforts—a proposal previously advanced during past Iran-linked diplomacy. The official emphasized Iran would pursue these steps in exchange for U.S. recognition of its right to “peaceful nuclear enrichment” under a deal that also includes lifting economic sanctions.

“Should there be an attack or aggression against Iran, we will respond according to our defense plans … A U.S. attack on Iran is a real gamble,” Takht-Ravanchi added.

Last year’s indirect negotiations between the two sides collapsed primarily due to disagreements over Washington’s demand for Iran to halt uranium enrichment operations on its soil—a move the United States views as a pathway to nuclear weapons. Iran consistently denies seeking such capabilities.

The U.S. and Israel recently conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last June, effectively disrupting Iran’s enrichment capacity, with Trump characterizing key sites as “obliterated.” Nevertheless, Iran remains believed to possess stockpiles of previously enriched uranium that Washington requires it to surrender.