Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi shake hands in the Swiss city of Geneva on February 16, 2026. (Photo by Iran`s Foreign Ministry)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi have met in the Swiss city of Geneva.

According to Iran`s Foreign Ministry, Araghchi and Grossi discussed certain technical issues related to Tehran`s cooperation with the IAEA in the framework of safeguards cooperation and the Iranian Parliament`s law regarding the issue.

Iran`s technical viewpoints regarding its indirect negotiations with the United States were also discussed, it added.

The Monday meeting came as Iran and the United States are to hold a second round of indirect talks on the Islamic Republic`s peaceful nuclear program on Tuesday. Oman is expected to continue its intermediary role.

The Iranian foreign minister is also scheduled to hold a meeting with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi.

Just completed in-depth technical discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister @araghchi in preparation for important negotiations scheduled for tomorrow in Geneva. pic.twitter.com/dBAinDrljc

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 16, 2026

In a post on his X account, Grossi said he has just completed "in-depth technical discussions" with Araghchi.

The IAEA chief added that the meeting was held "in preparation for important negotiations scheduled for tomorrow in Geneva."

Araghchi also wrote on X that he is in Geneva for a new round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the US with concrete proposals, rejecting any pressure-driven concessions.

"I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal," he added, stressing, "What is not on the table: Submission before threats."

Iranian and American delegations, led by Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, resumed nuclear talks in Muscat on February 6, months after Israel`s aggression of June 2025.

Iran`s main demand in Muscat remains the effective and verifiable lifting of economic sanctions. Officials in Tehran have repeatedly stated that any agreement without tangible economic benefit would be meaningless in practice.

The negotiations will take place as US President Donald Trump has deployed military forces to the region, heightening concerns about possible new military action. US officials said on February 12 that the Pentagon was sending an additional aircraft carrier to the region, adding thousands more troops along with fighter aircraft and guided-missile destroyers.

In late January, Trump spoke of "another beautiful armada" of warships heading toward Iran and claimed that failure to reach a deal would bring consequences "far worse" than the June strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Anti-war organizations, however, caution that another confrontation would be disastrous, pointing to the 12-day war in June 2025 as a stark example.