Third Round of US-Iran Talks End Without Breakthrough

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivers a speech during a session of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament, on the sideline of a second round of U.S.-Iranian talks, in Geneva, on Feb. 17, 2026. Valentin Flauraud/AFP via Getty ImagesU.S. and Iranian delegations concluded a third round of indirect talks in Geneva on Feb. 26, without a diplomatic breakthrough to avoid potential armed conflict in the Middle East.The U.S. military has been ramping up its force footprint in the Middle East since January, as President Donald Trump has pursued a new deal to halt Iran’s nuclear programs. Talks in Geneva came the same week the Trump administration raised allegations that Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear program and pursue a warhead after the June 2025 U.S. strikes on three of its nuclear sites.