Iran expert on “decisive day” of nuclear talks in Geneva

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(26 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Geneva - 26 February 2026 1. Wide of reporters outside personal residence of the Omani ambassador in Geneva 2. Establisher of Ali Vaez, an Iran expert at the International Crisis Group non-profit organization 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ali Vaez, Iran expert at the International Crisis Group: "Today is the third round of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. since the 12 day war. And the Iranians came with a draft proposal, which has a lot of technical details. It does appear that it was attractive enough for the U.S. team to decide that they're going to go, attend the Ukraine negotiations and then come back to continue these talks with the Iranians. I think if the US team had walked away immediately upon seeing the details of the Iranian proposal, that would have been a breakdown in the talks. There might still not be a breakthrough at the end of this day, but the very fact that the US team is returning shows that there is enough common ground between the two sides." 4. Wide of reporters 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ali Vaez, Iran expert at the International Crisis Group: "I think what has sharpened the minds on both sides is the unattractiveness of the alternative, which is war. And it is true that if today, which is a very decisive day, does not end in at least enough common ground for some sort of an outline of a deal or a framework, then the risk of war would really go up even as early as this weekend. So, this is why it is important that the US is coming back to the table and trying to get to the finish line." 6. Reporters at site 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ali Vaez, Iran expert at the International Crisis Group: "The reality is that there is a narrow pathway to a deal, but it does require both sides to soften the red lines. It does require for President Trump to understand the kind of capitulation that he was hoping, the extreme military, economic, diplomatic pressure on Iran would produce is just simply not on the cards. And if there is a solution in which the Iranians can save face, yes, there is an exit ramp available for both sides." 8. Mid of camera person 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Ali Vaez, Iran expert at the International Crisis Group: "I think the margin for maneuver for both sides is so much more limited, because in the past, if the talks fail, they would resume in three months. They would resume in four months. Now, if the talks fail, there is a real risk of a conflict with unpredictable, potentially disastrous consequences for both sides that could happen in a matter of days. And, so the stakes are higher. But there is, again, a narrow pathway forward if both sides are willing to demonstrate enough flexibility." 10. Mid of building where talks took place STORYLINE: Iran and the United States were holding another round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday to try to reach a deal on Tehran's nuclear program and potentially avert another war as the U.S. gathers a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran also hopes to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. If America attacks, Iran has said U.S. military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3bef06249c454e7ba5b0dce45260f374