US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One with US First Lady Melania Trump at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, US on February 16, 2026. | Photo credit: Reuters
US President Donald Trump said on Monday (Feb 16, 2026) that he will participate “indirectly” in talks between Iran and the US on Tehran’s nuclear program, which are set to begin on Tuesday (Feb 17, 2026) in Geneva.
“I will be indirectly involved in those discussions. And they will be very important,” Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Tensions are rising ahead of the talks as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. US officials have told Reuters that the US military is preparing for a sustained military campaign if the talks fail.
Asked about the possibility of an agreement, Mr. Trump said Iran sought tough talks but learned the consequences of such a tough stance last summer when the US bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Trump suggested that the Iranians were motivated to negotiate this time.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said.
Before the US joined Israel in attacking Iran’s nuclear sites in June, Iran-US nuclear talks stalled over Washington’s demand that Tehran give up enrichment on its soil, which the US sees as a path to an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Iran’s Civil Defense Organization on Monday (Feb 16, 2026) conducted a chemical defense drill in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone to strengthen preparedness for potential chemical incidents at the energy hub in southern Iran.
Published – February 17, 2026 06:26 am IST
