๐ฎ๐ท๐บ๐ธโ๏ธ Iran Open to Nuclear Talks With U.S., Rejects Broader Negotiations
- HoaiLinh
- February 18, 2026

๐ฎ๐ท๐บ๐ธโ๏ธ Iran Open to Nuclear Talks With U.S., Rejects Broader Negotiations
Iran signaled Wednesday that it is open to negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, but firmly rejected expanding discussions to other military or regional issues.
The announcement comes at a delicate diplomatic moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump balances renewed outreach with increased military and political pressure in the Middle East. โ๏ธ
โ๏ธ Nuclear Talks โ But Nothing Beyond
Iranian officials made clear that while Tehran is willing to discuss its nuclear activities, it will not allow negotiations to broaden into other areas such as:
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๐ Ballistic missile development
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๐ Regional military influence
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๐ค Broader defense policies
Speaking in Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated:
โWe are not seeking nuclear weapons, and we are ready for any kind of verification.โ
His comments came as Iran marked the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, a politically symbolic backdrop for any major diplomatic messaging.
๐บ๐ธ U.S. Pressure and Military Signaling
While pursuing potential talks, President Trump has simultaneously escalated pressure on Iran.
U.S. officials have signaled that another aircraft carrier strike group could be deployed to the Middle East โ a move widely interpreted as a show of force intended to deter regional escalation.
Trump was also scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Israel expected to push Washington to expand negotiations to include Iranโs ballistic missile program.
Israel has long argued that limiting talks to nuclear enrichment alone would leave other strategic threats unaddressed.
๐ฎ๐ฑ Israelโs Position on Broader Talks
Israel has consistently maintained that any future agreement must address:
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Advanced missile systems ๐
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Proxy group support in the region
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Long-term nuclear enrichment capabilities
Netanyahuโs meeting with Trump is expected to focus on ensuring that Israelโs security concerns are included in any diplomatic framework.
The divergence between Iranโs narrow negotiating scope and Israelโs broader demands adds complexity to potential talks.
๐ A Fragile Diplomatic Window
Iranโs willingness to return to nuclear-focused discussions may signal a desire to ease economic sanctions and stabilize its economy.
However, Tehranโs firm rejection of broader negotiations highlights long-standing red lines in its foreign policy.
Adding another layer of sensitivity, President Pezeshkian acknowledged the โgreat sorrowโ caused by the governmentโs crackdown on recent unrest โ a rare public admission that may be aimed at addressing domestic and international criticism.
โ๏ธ Key Challenges Ahead
Several major obstacles remain before meaningful progress can occur:
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Mutual distrust between Washington and Tehran
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Disagreements over verification mechanisms
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Pressure from regional allies
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Domestic political constraints in both countries
Diplomatic experts note that even reopening formal negotiations would require careful coordination and confidence-building steps.
๐๏ธ Conclusion: Talks Possible, But Tensions Persist
Iranโs openness to nuclear negotiations with the United States suggests that diplomacy is not off the table. However, Tehranโs refusal to expand discussions beyond its nuclear program โ combined with U.S. military signaling and Israeli pressure โ leaves the path forward uncertain.
As regional tensions persist and strategic interests collide, the coming weeks may determine whether this fragile diplomatic opening leads to renewed dialogue or deeper confrontation. โ๏ธ๐