Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading Tehran’s delegation and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Central Command chief Brad Cooper representing Washington. Araghchi described the discussions as a “good start” but said further steps would be decided after consultations with both capitals. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi mediated between the two sides, saying the exchanges helped clarify positions and identify possible areas of progress.

The talks took place as tensions escalated following a US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites during a brief US-Israel conflict in June. Washington is demanding that Iran halt all uranium enrichment, restrict its missile program, and end support for allied armed groups in the region. Tehran insists it will only negotiate on nuclear issues to lift sanctions and demands an end to US threats of war. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard unveiled a new Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile, signaling continued military readiness.

Inside Iran, public opinion is divided. Some citizens hope diplomacy will ease economic hardship and avert conflict, while others fear the talks will fail and lead to war. The atmosphere remains tense following deadly nationwide protests last month.

The United States has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan following coordinated attacks in the southwestern province of Balochistan that left more than 50 people dead. The US State Department issued a statement on Friday, condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted multiple districts last Saturday. The US has previously designated the BLA as a terrorist organization.

According to reports, Balochistan, rich in mineral resources and bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the site of an armed separatist insurgency. Baloch militant groups frequently target security forces, foreign nationals, and non-local Pakistanis. Pakistan’s military said intelligence-based operations killed 216 militants, while 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 security personnel were also killed in the violence. Islamabad blamed India for the attacks, but New Delhi denied the accusation.

Security analysts warned that the insurgency remains in a stalemate and could intensify without political solutions. Former military officials noted that weapons left after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan have strengthened militant groups like the BLA.

Australia and Indonesia signed a new security agreement on Friday aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Canberra and Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The deal includes plans to build new military training facilities and enhance joint operational capabilities. According to a joint statement cited from Jakarta, a senior Indonesian officer will be embedded within Australia’s defense forces as part of the collaboration. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the agreement as a historic moment for bilateral relations.

Albanese said Australia would help Indonesia improve its military training infrastructure to make joint exercises more effective. He emphasized the countries’ shared maritime boundary as a natural foundation for close partnership. The agreement comes as Australia seeks to bolster its defense capacity amid China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while Indonesia maintains a balanced foreign policy to preserve ties with its key trading partner, China.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the pact reflects Indonesia’s “independent and active” foreign policy and commitment to good neighborly relations. The deal follows a 2024 defense agreement that led to large-scale joint military exercises in East Java.

Iran’s state television reported that direct talks between Iran and the United States began on Friday in Oman. The discussions mark the first formal engagement between the two nations since the June conflict, during which the United States carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities amid a 12-day war involving Israel. Iran has stated it remains prepared for self-defense, while U.S. President Donald Trump has not ruled out possible military action.

The Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and the U.S. side is represented by President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The previous round of talks was suspended during last year’s hostilities, and this new dialogue is seen as a significant diplomatic development following a prolonged period of confrontation.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that the renewed discussions could play a crucial role in shaping the future diplomatic course regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the broader security landscape in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the United States to maintain mutual respect in upcoming discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and other issues. In a message posted on social media platform X on Friday, Araghchi said Iran is entering the talks with an open mind and good faith but remains firm on protecting its rights. Before the talks, he met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi, according to Al Arabiya.

Araghchi emphasized that honoring commitments, equality, mutual respect, and shared interests are essential pillars for any sustainable agreement. The Iranian news agency Mehr reported that Araghchi and Al-Busaidi discussed bilateral, regional, and international matters during their meeting.

Direct talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled to take place in Oman on Friday. Washington is reportedly assessing whether diplomatic progress is possible on Iran’s nuclear program and other issues, while not ruling out the possibility of military action.

The United States has instructed its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately, according to a security alert issued early Friday by the U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran. The advisory warned that internet disruptions are expected to continue, with heightened security measures, interruptions in public transportation, and restrictions on mobile, landline, and national internet services. It also cautioned that flights could be suspended at any time without prior notice.

The alert advised U.S. citizens to seek alternative communication methods and, if possible, exit Iran by land through Armenia or Turkey. Those unable to leave were urged to move to a secure building and keep essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine. Additional guidance included maintaining anonymity, dual nationals using Iranian passports to depart, keeping mobile phones charged, and monitoring local media for updates.

The advisory emphasized that citizens should not rely on U.S. government assistance when attempting to leave Iran, underscoring the seriousness of the current security situation.

The United States and Russia have agreed to resume high-level military communication following two days of discussions in Abu Dhabi, held amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The decision is being viewed as a significant step forward in bilateral relations, marking the first such engagement since senior military dialogue was suspended in 2022 before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The talks also led to the exchange of more than 300 prisoners, the first in four months.

According to the U.S. European Command, maintaining military dialogue is vital for global stability and peace, as it enhances transparency and helps reduce tensions. Moscow has not yet issued an official response. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as complex and urged faster progress, while Kyiv’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said trilateral talks would continue in the coming weeks.

The main dispute remains over the future of eastern Ukraine’s territories. Russia demands Ukrainian troop withdrawal from the Donbas region and international recognition of occupied areas, while Kyiv has proposed a ceasefire along current frontlines and rejected withdrawal demands.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened this week after two years of Israeli-imposed closure, allowing a limited number of Palestinians to leave for medical treatment abroad. However, many elderly Palestinians have chosen to remain in Gaza, viewing their decision as an act of resistance and a connection to their homeland. Among them is 73-year-old Kefaya al-Assar, who has been displaced multiple times during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and now shelters in a school in Nuseirat. Despite health issues and the destruction of her home in Jabalia, she insists on staying, saying she would rather die on her land than seek treatment abroad.

The reopening of Rafah is part of the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire, though Israeli attacks continue. Amnesty International and HelpAge International report that elderly Gazans face a severe physical and mental health crisis due to Israel’s blockade of aid and medicine. Their research found that most elderly people live in tents, lack access to medication, and often skip meals. Despite these hardships, many, like 85-year-old Nazmeya Radwan, refuse to leave Gaza, citing lifelong displacement since the 1948 Nakba.

The persistence of elderly Palestinians to remain underscores both the humanitarian crisis and the enduring attachment to their homeland amid ongoing conflict and devastation.

The United Nations has reported that more than 900 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of January 2026. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said on Thursday that widespread displacement continues due to settler attacks, destruction, and access restrictions.

According to the UN, Israeli settlers carried out more than 50 attacks between January 20 and the previous Monday, resulting in casualties, property damage, or both. Dujarric also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in the blockaded Gaza Strip, where civilian deaths continue to rise.

He reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure during conflicts.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that Turkey and Saudi Arabia may jointly invest in the Turkish-made stealth fighter jet known as 'Kaan'. Speaking to reporters on his return from Cairo on Wednesday, Erdogan said the aircraft has received strong international praise and that both nations could implement the partnership at any time. He confirmed that a major defense industry cooperation agreement has already been signed between Ankara and Riyadh and emphasized Turkey’s determination to expand this collaboration.

Erdogan also addressed broader regional and international issues, expressing optimism about easing tensions between Iran and the United States. He stated that dialogue is the only sustainable path to resolving their disputes. On the Gaza situation, Erdogan said Turkey would play an active role in ensuring the proper implementation of the Gaza peace plan and in restoring peace and stability there.

The United States and Iran are set to begin high-level talks in Muscat, Oman, amid fears of military confrontation. The discussions, expected to start on Friday, follow Washington’s strong reaction to Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests last month. Human rights groups report thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests. The talks will be led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The US has demanded Iran suspend its nuclear program, reduce enriched uranium stockpiles, and address issues including ballistic missiles, regional militias, and human rights. Iran insists the talks should focus solely on its nuclear activities. President Donald Trump has warned of possible airstrikes if no agreement is reached, while Iran has threatened retaliation against US assets in the Middle East and Israel. Regional mediators view the dialogue as a last chance to prevent open conflict.

Analysts describe Iran’s government as being at its weakest since the 1979 revolution, facing economic crisis and internal dissent. The outcome of these talks could determine whether tensions ease or escalate further in the region.

International activists have announced a new and larger maritime mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The initiative, called the 'Global Sumud Flotilla', is scheduled for March and will include around 100 vessels and about 1,000 participants. The plan was unveiled at a meeting held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Organizers described it as the largest civilian humanitarian intervention yet against Israel’s policies concerning Gaza.

Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela and a participant in a similar mission last year, said the upcoming flotilla will include doctors, human rights activists, and war crimes investigators. Alongside the sea convoy, a land convoy through neighboring Arab countries is also being planned, expected to attract thousands of supporters. In October, Israeli forces seized about 40 vessels from a previous Global Sumud Flotilla and detained around 450 activists, including Mandela and climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Although a ceasefire is currently in place in Gaza, the UN reports that humanitarian aid remains far below the required level. Activists said they will continue efforts to highlight the humanitarian crisis and challenge the blockade despite possible obstacles.

Two people were killed in a United States strike on a ship in the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to the US Southern Command (Southcom), which oversees American military operations in Latin America. Southcom claimed the deceased were drug traffickers, though it provided no evidence to support that assertion. The report was carried by Al Jazeera.

Since September 2025, the United States has conducted 34 strikes across the Pacific and Caribbean regions, resulting in at least 126 deaths. These operations have been described as violations of international law. The watchdog group Airwars recorded that this latest attack marks the first strike carried out under the Trump administration in 2026.

The incident adds to a pattern of US military actions in the region that have drawn scrutiny over legality and transparency, as questions remain about the justification for targeting and the identities of those killed.

Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange following two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi mediated by the United States. It marked the first such exchange in four months, with each side releasing 157 detainees. The discussions in the United Arab Emirates capital involved delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, focusing on territorial concessions and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, no progress was reported from the talks.

Amid the negotiations, Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, and the prolonged war continued to cause heavy losses. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Starlink terminals used by Russia for drone strikes inside Ukraine had been disabled. On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the war, with many others officially listed as missing.

The exchange and talks highlight ongoing international efforts to ease tensions, though the lack of progress suggests that a lasting resolution remains distant.

Israel carried out multiple airstrikes on Thursday in southern and eastern Lebanon, violating the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since November 2024. According to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA, one of the attacks targeted the Al-Wazaniyah area near Khallat Khazem in Jabal al-Reihan, while another strike hit mountainous areas near the city of Hermel in the Bekaa Valley. Video footage from local media showed smoke rising from the targeted zones, and Israeli warplanes were reportedly seen flying at low altitude over several Lebanese regions after the strikes.

The Israeli military stated that the operations targeted Hezbollah positions across Lebanon. However, no immediate information was available regarding casualties or damage. The report cited Anadolu Agency, which sourced its information from Lebanese media outlets.

The background of the conflict traces back to October 2023, when Israel launched a military campaign against Lebanon that escalated into a full-scale conflict by September 2024. Various sources have reported that more than 4,000 people have been killed and around 17,000 injured since the fighting began.