"They are bad at negotiating"

Trump Says Iran "Wants a Deal" as Geneva Talks Set to Start

Hours before Geneva talks, President Trump warns Iran of the consequences of failing to reach a deal, referencing the B-2 strikes on nuclear sites as F-35s deploy to the Middle East.

JFeed Staff

FEB 17, 2026 06:09

2 min read

Khamenei, Trump (Photo: Shutterstock , The White House)

Ahead of the resumption of high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, President Donald Trump warned Iran of the consequences of failing to reach an agreement, while signaling that he would be involved in the talks indirectly.

The President expressed skepticism about Iran's negotiation history but suggested the regime now recognizes the high stakes involved. "I think they want to make a deal," Trump told reporters. "I don't think they want the consequences of not making a deal."

Trump also referred to previous military actions, specifically mentioning the deployment of B-2 bombers to neutralize Iran's nuclear potential. He noted that such measures were necessary but hoped for a more reasonable approach from Tehran during this round of talks.

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The negotiations come at a time of extreme regional tension:

Military Buildup: The U.S. has increased its presence in the Middle East, with reports indicating that 18 additional F-35 stealth fighters are being deployed to the region.
Iranian Drills: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently launched a large-scale naval exercise titled "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz." Supervised by General Mohammad Pakpour, the drill is seen as a signal of Iran's ability to disrupt strategic shipping lanes.
Israeli Readiness: Security officials in Israel are preparing for all scenarios, including the possibility that an escalation between the U.S. and Iran could expand into a multi-front conflict involving Hezbollah.

The Geneva talks follow an earlier round of indirect mediation in Muscat and remain focused on Iran's nuclear program, though the U.S. continues to push for a broader scope including ballistic missiles and regional activity.

Would you like me to focus on the specific military deployments mentioned or the details of the previous June 2025 strikes referenced by the President?