U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (February 27, 2026) he’s “not happy” with Iran talks so far, but that he’ll wait to see what happens in additional rounds of negotiations with the West Asian country over its nuclear program.
“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. I’m not thrilled with that. We’ll see what happens. We’re talking later,” Mr. Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday. “We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons,” Mr. Trump said.
Also Read | U.S.-Iran nuclear talks to resume in Geneva against backdrop of military threat
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after their latest nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday failed to reach and breakthrough, and as American forces gather in the region.
Mr. Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to a far-reaching deal to constrain its nuclear program. Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and denies seeking a nuclear weapon.
Mr. Trump was asked about the risks of the U.S. getting involved in a drawn-out conflict in the West Asia if it launches strikes on Iran.
“I guess you could say there’s always a risk,” Mr. Trump replied. “You know, when there’s war, there’s a risk of anything, both good and bad.” Earlier Friday, the U.S. State Department said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would make a quick trip to Israel early next week. The U.S, Embassy in Israel had earlier urged staff who want to leave to depart, joining other nations in encouraging people to leave the region and signalling that U.S. military action might be imminent. The announcement of Rubio’s visit could indicate a longer timeline for any potential strike.
A confidential report from the UN nuclear watchdog meanwhile confirmed that Iran has not offered inspectors access to sensitive nuclear sites since they were heavily bombed during the 12-day war launched by Israel last June. As a result, it said it could not confirm Iran’s claims that it stopped uranium enrichment after the US and Israeli strikes.
The report was circulated to member countries and seen by The Associated Press.
Those wishing to leave ‘should do so TODAY’
The State Department said in a statement that Mr. Rubio would visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday to “discuss a range of regional priorities, including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza.” It offered no other details.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long urged tougher U.S. action against Iran, and has warned that Israel will respond to any Iranian attack.
The announcement of Mr. Rubio’s visit came just hours after the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem implemented “authorized departure” status for non-essential personnel and family members, which means that eligible staffers can leave the country voluntarily at government expense.
In an email, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged staff considering departure to do so quickly, advising them to focus initially on getting any flight out of Israel and to then make their way to Washington.
“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Mr. Huckabee wrote, using an acronym for “authorised departure.”
“While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be,” he added, in an email that was recounted to The Associated Press by someone involved with the U.S. mission who wasn’t authorised to share details.
On a town hall meeting Friday after the email was sent, Mr. Huckabee told staff that he was encouraging airlines to keep flying.
Vance to meet with mediator
Iran and the United States on Thursday walked away from another round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva without a deal. Technical discussions are scheduled to take place in Vienna next week.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance was to meet later on Friday in Washington with Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating the talks, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting is private.
Earlier, Mr. al-Busaidi said there had been significant progress on Thursday, though officials from Iran and the United States haven’t announced any steps forward.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said “what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side,” without offering specifics. Iran has long demanded relief from heavy international sanctions in return for taking steps to limit but not end its nuclear program.
The UN chief meanwhile urged Iran and the US “to focus on the diplomatic track” even as tensions rise and a potential for a US strike remains very possible.
“We’re seeing both positive messages coming out of the diplomatic tracts, which we’re continuing to encourage,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, according to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. “We’re also seeing very worrying military movements. throughout the region, which is extremely concerning as well.”
Published – February 28, 2026 12:43 am IST
