The recent talks between Iran and the United States dealt with reaching an understanding on “guidelines” for a possible agreement, in light of pressure exerted by US President Donald Trump and mutual threats, which included Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s talk about the ability to sink an American aircraft carrier, in parallel with Revolutionary Guard maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to avoid military action and lift sanctions on the Iranian economy.

Published on: 02/18/2026 - 05:42 Last updated: 02/18/2026 - 06:02

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Iran announced on Tuesday that it had reached an understanding with the United States on “guidelines” that pave the way for a possible agreement, following a second round of indirect talks, at a time when US Vice President Jay DeVance mentioned “red lines” set by President Donald Trump that Washington says Tehran has not yet acknowledged.

This diplomatic path comes in parallel with the escalation of mutual military threats. As the United States strengthens its military deployment in the region, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Tehran has the ability to sink the American aircraft carrier sailing hundreds of kilometers from the country’s coast.

Trump also continues to intensify pressure on Iran to push it to an agreement, especially regarding its nuclear program, after weeks ago he threatened to launch a military strike against the backdrop of the suppression of protests that resulted in the deaths of thousands, according to Western estimates and human rights organizations.

On Tuesday, the two parties resumed discussions under Omani mediation. After a first round hosted by Muscat on February 6, the second round was held at the residence of the Omani ambassador in Geneva.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed, "A general agreement has been reached on a set of guiding principles, which we will rely on to move forward and begin working on the text of a possible agreement," explaining that "compared to the previous round, very serious discussions were held and the atmosphere was more constructive."

Araqchi considered that the talks opened “a window to a new opportunity,” expressing his hope that they would lead “to a sustainable solution through negotiation that can serve the interests of the parties concerned and the region as a whole.”

However, the Iranian minister stressed that “Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself from any threat or aggressive action.”

On the other hand, Washington acknowledged that the path is progressing “well” but that this is not yet sufficient.

“In some aspects, things went so well, they agreed to meet later,” Vance said. “But in other aspects, it is clear that the president identified some red lines that the Iranians are still not willing to accept and address.”

He continued, adding, "We will continue to work on that. But of course, the president is the one who has the authority to determine when diplomacy reaches its conclusion... We hope that we will not reach that point, but if that happens, the decision will be for the president," referring to the possibility of resorting to military action.

Read also: Khamenei warns: A warship is a dangerous thing, but the most dangerous is the weapon capable of sinking it

As for Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the mediator between the two delegations in the indirect discussions, he confirmed that “good progress” had been achieved, noting that Tuesday’s sessions took place in a “constructive” atmosphere.

The date for the third round of this track has not yet been decided.

These negotiations are being relied upon to avoid American military action against the Islamic Republic, at a time when Tehran is demanding the lifting of the sanctions that are burdening its economy.

Trump had previously warned Tehran before the start of the talks of the consequences of not reaching an agreement, and repeatedly hinted at the possibility of military intervention, whether against the backdrop of the bloody campaign against protesters, or because of the dispute over the Iranian nuclear program.

"Sinking" the aircraft carrier

On the ground, Washington ordered two aircraft carriers to be sent to the region. One of them, the USS Abraham Lincoln, which carries approximately 80 F-35 and F-18 aircraft, has been stationed about 700 kilometers from the Iranian coast since Sunday, according to satellite images. Meanwhile, Trump confirmed on Friday that the carrier "Gerald Ford" will sail "very soon" to the region.

In what seemed like a direct response to these messages, Khamenei warned that Iran was capable of sinking the American aircraft carrier.

“We hear nonstop” that the United States “sent a warship toward Iran,” he said in a speech in Tehran.

He added that the aircraft carrier is “a dangerous weapon, without a doubt, but the most dangerous is the weapon capable of sinking it,” threatening that Trump will not succeed in eliminating the Islamic Republic.

France 24/AFP

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