Iran-US talks presenting 'new window of opportunity' for agreement, Araghchi says

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(17 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Geneva, Switzerland - 17 February 202 ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ 1. Mid of delegates attending United Nations conference in Geneva 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister: "A new window of opportunity has opened under which we had the second round of the negotiations with the United States earlier today here in Geneva. We are hopeful that negotiation will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution which can serve the interests of relevant parties and the broader region. At the same time, as demonstrated during the aggression of 13 June 2025, Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself against any threat or act of aggression. The consequences of any attack against Iran will not be confined to its borders." 3. Araghchi speaking during press conference 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister: "Mr. President, the United States and some European states persist in the imposition of unlawful sanctions, military threats, the engagement in forced posturing, and the issuance of explicit references to the possible use of force by the United States, including significant military deployments in the region. Such actions constitute a continuing violation of the prohibition of the threat or use of force as enshrined in Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations, and must be brought to an immediate and unconditional end." 5. Araghchi speaking during press conference 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister: "Lasting agreements can only be achieved through mutual balanced commitments and respect for the legitimate rights of nations. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons explicitly recognises the inalienable right of all state parties to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy, including enrichment for peaceful purposes. This right is inherent, non-negotiable and legally binding. It is not conditional upon political considerations, nor can it be suspended or reinterpreted arbitrarily. Any attempt to portray this right as revocable, fundamentally contradicts the letter and the spirit of the treaty." 7. Araghchi speaking during press conference 8. Wide of cars including one carrying Araghchi leaving venue STORYLINE: Iran's foreign minister expressed optimism about talks with the United States on Tuesday, saying “a new window has opened" for reaching an agreement over its nuclear program. “We are hopeful that negotiations will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution which can serve the interests of relevant parties and the broader region,” Abbas Araghchi told a U.N. disarmament conference after leading the Iranian delegation at the talks held in Geneva. He added that Iran "remains fully prepared to defend itself against any threat or act of aggression,” and that the consequences of any attack on Iran would not be confined to its borders. It came as Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday for live fire military drills in a rare show of force as its negotiators held talks with the U.S. It was the first time Iran has announced the closure of the key international waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, since the U.S. began threatening Iran and rushing military assets to the region. It was not immediately clear if the strait had been closed, but such a rare and perhaps unprecedented move could further escalate tensions that threaten to ignite another war in the Middle East. AP video shot by Jamey Keaten Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...