Geneva Showdown: Larijani Defines Iran’s Red Lines as Araghchi Arrives for High-Stakes Talks with Trump Envoys

Iran’s National Security Chief, Ali Larijani, set a firm tone ahead of this week’s negotiations, stating that Tehran is ready for "fair" talks under IAEA supervision but has yet to provide any "written response" to U.S. demands. Larijani warned that diplomacy should not be used as a tool to impose non-nuclear issues, countering PM Netanyahu’s recent insistence on including ballistic missiles and regional proxies in any potential deal.

On the ground, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Sunday night. He is scheduled to meet U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for a second round of indirect talks mediated by Oman and Switzerland. While Trump’s team is pushing for "Zero Enrichment," Araghchi’s mission is to secure sanctions relief in exchange for technical guarantees, a delicate balancing act as the U.S. simultaneously ramps up its naval presence in the Middle East.