STORY: A convoy of cars including some bearing diplomatic plates used by the United States left the area around the residence of the Omani ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday (February 17) as Washington and Tehran held indirect talks on their nuclear dispute.

Journalists had been waiting near the ambassadors residence in Cologny, a town on Lake Leman bordering Geneva, where cars with Iranian plates could be seen parked nearby.

Just a few hours after the negotiations began, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that parts of the strategic Strait of Hormuz will close for a few hours due to "security precautions" while Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards conduct military drills in the world's most vital oil export route.

Tehran has in the past threatened to shut down the strait to commercial shipping if it is attacked, a move that would choke off a fifth of global oil flows and drive up crude prices.

The U.S., which joined Israel in bombing Iran's nuclear facilities in June, has deployed a battle force to the region and U.S. President Donald Trump has said "regime change" in Iran may be the best thing that can happen.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

US convoy leaves Omani ambassador's residence near Geneva

VIDEO SHOWS: CONVOY INCLUDING CARS WITH U.S. DIPLOMATIC PLATES (ENDING 9) LEAVING AREA AROUND OMANI AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: COLOGNY, SWITZERLAND (FEBRUARY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING ROAD LEADING TO OMANI AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE (NOT VISIBLE)

2. CONVOY INCLUDING CARS WITH U.S. DIPLOMATIC PLATES (ENDING 9) LEAVING AREA

3. POLICE GUARDING ROAD