IAEA chief meets Iranian FM ahead of US nuclear talks in Geneva February 16, 2026IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva ahead of US-Iran nuclear negotiations. (X)(X)IAEA chief meets Iranian FM ahead of US nuclear talks in Geneva Tweet Join Group Join WhatsApp Group Email https://worldisraelnews.com/iaea-chief-meets-iranian-fm-ahead-of-us-nuclear-talks-in-geneva/ Email Print Grossi said he concluded “in-depth technical discussions” with the Iranian Foreign Minister.By World Israel News StaffDiplomatic activity intensified in Geneva on Monday as senior Iranian and international officials met ahead of a second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program.International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said he concluded what he described as “in-depth technical discussions” with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, framing the meeting as preparatory work for the high-stakes talks scheduled to begin Tuesday.Araghchi arrived in Geneva earlier in the day for the next phase of negotiations aimed at easing tensions and preventing a potential military escalation in the region.The talks come amid growing warnings from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that confrontation with the United States could expand into a broader regional conflict.“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” Araghchi wrote on X on Monday. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”The upcoming discussions mark the second round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran focused on Iran’s nuclear activities, with diplomats seeking to test whether a diplomatic pathway remains viable following months of rising tensions and military signaling on both sides.Read Iran rejects Vance's claim that IAEA inspectors can returnAdding to the charged atmosphere surrounding the talks, Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy launched a military exercise titled “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz.”The drills began one day before negotiations with the United States were set to resume, highlighting the parallel track of diplomatic engagement and military messaging unfolding in the region.The Geneva meetings are widely viewed as a critical moment in determining whether negotiations can produce progress or whether tensions between Iran and the United States will continue to escalate. Abbas AraghchiGenevaIAEAIran nuclear talksRafael Grossi