Iran-US Nuclear Talks Expand to Economic Incentives Amid Rising Tensions

The latest round of Iran-US nuclear negotiations is no longer just about centrifuges and uranium stockpiles. As diplomats prepare for talks in Geneva on February 17, the agenda has widened to include oil and gas investments, mining partnerships, and even commercial aircraft purchases. At the center of the discussions is a familiar standoff: Washington wants strict limits—or a halt—on uranium enrichment. Tehran wants sanctions relief first. But this time, both sides are openly talking about economic incentives that could reshape the long-term durability of any deal. With military tensions rising in the Arabian Sea and high-level envoys attending, the outcome could influence not just nonproliferation efforts, but global energy markets and regional stability. At its core, the dispute remains nuclear. The United States is seeking firm guarantees that Iran will not pursue weapons-grade uranium enrichment. Iran insists its program is civilian, but it has steadily expanded enrichment levels since the collapse of the 2015 agreement.