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Vance says Iran unwilling to accept some US red lines after Geneva talks

February 18, 2026 at 11:09 am

United States Vice President JD Vance gives a speech in Toledo, Ohio, United States, on January 22, 2026. [Kyle Mazza – Anadolu Agency]

US Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday evening that Iran is not prepared to recognise some of the red lines set by President Donald Trump, following a second round of negotiations between the two countries held earlier in Geneva, Switzerland.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the talks with Tehran “went well in some ways”, but added “in other ways, it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.” 

He added that Trump “is very much trying to find a solution here, whether it’s through diplomatic options or through another option, that means the Iranians cannot have a nuclear weapon,”   

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At the end of the talks, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “We have reached agreements on basic principles with the United States, adding thatboth sides agreed to work further on draft texts for a potential agreement.”

A US official later told Reuters that Iran is expected to submit detailed proposals within the next two weeks in an effort to narrow the gap with Washington. “Progress has been made, but many details still need to be discussed,” the official said.

Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted a message in Arabic on his account on X, saying: “Non-military nuclear energy is not for use in war, but for running the affairs of the country – for agriculture, health and every sector that needs energy. This is the right of the Iranian people. What business is it of you Americans?”

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