According to The Associated Press<\/a> , the reports claimed Iran would also push for the lifting of international sanctions \u2014 signaling it is not prepared to meet President Donald Trump\u2019s demands.<\/p>\n The negotiations were carried out primarily indirectly, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi relaying messages between the two sides.<\/p>\n Oman’s Foreign Affairs’ Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi gives a thumbs up as he leaves his hotel to reach Oman’s ambassador residency for new round of talks between the United States and Iran to address Iran’s nuclear program. (Fabrice COFFRINI \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n In a post on X, al-Busaidi confirmed that the round had concluded and said discussions would resume soon.<\/p>\n “We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,” he said on X.<\/p>\n “We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA, and our hosts, the Swiss government,” al-Busaidi said.<\/p>\n There was no immediate public statement from U.S. or Iranian officials after the session.<\/p>\n LEAVITT SAYS TRUMP CHOOSES DIPLOMACY FIRST FOR IRAN, BUT REMAINS ‘WILLING TO USE’ LETHAL FORCE IF NECESSARY<\/a><\/p>\n Special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner (L) meet with Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi (R) in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss ongoing diplomatic negotiations on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs\/X)<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s special Middle East envoy<\/a>, Steve Witkoff, attended the three-hour negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.<\/p>\n IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was also involved, with Iranian officials presenting a draft proposal for a potential nuclear agreement with the U.S., which has key demands.<\/p>\n Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium and has appeared to refuse to negotiate over other issues, including its long-range missile program and support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.<\/p>\n TRUMP ADMIN RAMPS UP ‘MAXIMUM PRESSURE’ IRAN SANCTIONS AHEAD OF NEW ROUND OF NUCLEAR TALKS<\/a><\/p>\n Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pictured \u00a0sitting next to a senior military official in Iran. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Trump, meanwhile, insists on a deal to curb Iran\u2019s nuclear program. In his State of the Union address<\/a> Feb. 24, the president said he prefers a diplomatic solution.<\/p>\n “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror<\/a>, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” the president said. “Can’t let that happen.”<\/p>\n As the Geneva talks unfolded Thursday, Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>, also wrote on X that if the main U.S. concern is preventing a nuclear weapon, that stance “aligns” with Khamenei\u2019s fatwa and Iran\u2019s defensive doctrine.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n He added that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has “sufficient support and authority” to come to a final agreement in the talks.<\/p>\n The development came as the U.S. continues assembling military assets<\/a>, including a fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East.<\/p>\n Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.<\/p>\n![\"Al](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/badr-bin-hamad-al-busaidi-.jpg\")
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