Iran and the United States are set to begin a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, with Oman acting as mediator. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived on Wednesday and met Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi ahead of Thursday’s session. Both sides have expressed a preference for diplomacy, though Washington has imposed sweeping new sanctions targeting more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran’s oil sales and weapons programs. The talks come as the US expands its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional aircraft carriers, destroyers, and fighter jets.

The negotiations follow earlier rounds in Oman and Geneva, where only a tentative understanding on broad principles was reached. US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused Tehran of rebuilding its nuclear program and developing long-range missiles, while Iran insists on its right to peaceful nuclear technology and rejects US allegations. Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would trigger retaliation across the region.

Analysts note that major gaps remain over uranium enrichment and sanctions relief, leaving uncertainty about whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran.

Iran and China are close to finalizing a major defense agreement under which Tehran will purchase China’s CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. According to international intelligence sources and six officials cited in the report, the missile can strike targets up to 290 kilometers away while flying at low altitude to evade defense systems. Military analyst Danny Citrinowicz said the weapon could redefine warfare in the Middle East and pose a serious challenge to U.S. naval forces.

The talks accelerated after a brief clash between Israel and Iran last June. Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Masoud Orai visited Beijing for final negotiations. If completed, this would mark the most advanced Chinese military technology transferred to Iran. Tehran is also in talks with China to acquire advanced air defense and anti-satellite systems, viewing these moves as essential to protecting its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have heightened military readiness. Twelve F-22 Raptor stealth jets landed at Israel’s Ovda Air Base, a move linked to concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities and regional threats. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect talks with the U.S. in Geneva could help avoid conflict, reaffirming Iran’s stance against developing nuclear weapons.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran is prepared to take any necessary step to reach an agreement with the United States. Both countries are preparing for renewed negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. The talks will include US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner meeting with the Iranian delegation.

The United States has continued discussions with Iran while also issuing threats of possible attacks. In response, Iran warned it would retaliate against American bases in the region if the US takes military action. Ravanchi emphasized that Iran is ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible and will approach the Geneva talks with sincerity and good faith.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that President Trump’s first preference is diplomacy but that he remains willing to use force if necessary. She added that any attack or aggression against Iran would be met with a response according to US defense plans.

A military helicopter belonging to Iran’s army crashed into a fruit market in the central province of Isfahan on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of four people, according to state media reports. The incident occurred in the city of Dorche, where the aircraft caught fire after impact. Among the victims were the pilot, co-pilot, and two local businessmen. Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene and managed to bring the fire under control.

The report added that this accident follows another aviation incident last week, when an American-made F-4 Phantom fighter jet of Iran’s regular air force crashed in the western province of Hamadan, killing one pilot. The two consecutive crashes have drawn attention to recent safety issues involving Iran’s military aircraft fleet.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the cause of the helicopter crash or the condition of the crash site beyond the initial response.

The Iranian government has stated that university students have the right to protest but must not cross certain 'red lines.' The statement came on Tuesday as the government’s first official response after student demonstrations resumed across several campuses over the weekend. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said that sacred matters and the national flag are examples of these red lines, which must be protected and never violated, even in moments of intense anger.

Mohajerani indicated that the government recognizes students’ right to express their opinions. However, she emphasized that maintaining respect for the state’s core values, religious sanctity, and national symbols is everyone’s responsibility. Her remarks were seen as an attempt to balance acknowledgment of student rights with a warning to preserve national and religious boundaries.

Analysts interpret the government’s comments as an effort to calm tensions following the recent wave of campus protests.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran issue. She made the appeal on Monday, February 23, ahead of possible talks between Tehran and Washington, and following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of an attack on Iran. Speaking before a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas emphasized that the region does not need another war and already faces many conflicts.

Kallas noted that Iran is currently in a weakened position and urged that this moment be used to find a diplomatic resolution. Her remarks come as Iran and the United States prepare to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

The EU’s call for diplomacy reflects its continued preference for negotiation over confrontation in addressing Middle East crises, particularly as global concern grows over potential military escalation.

Iran has signed a secret missile agreement worth about $589 million with Russia to strengthen its air defense system, according to leaked Russian documents cited by the Financial Times. The deal was reportedly signed in Moscow in December 2025. Under the agreement, Russia will supply Iran with 500 'Verba man-portable air defense systems' and 2,500 9M336-type missiles over three years, with deliveries scheduled in three phases between 2027 and 2029. Some of the missiles may be delivered earlier than planned.

The report states that Tehran requested the purchase from Moscow in July 2025, following an Israeli attack on Iran and a 12-day conflict in June of that year. The request was made to enhance Iran’s defense capabilities and protect strategic installations. The Verba system is described as one of Russia’s most advanced air defense technologies.

The agreement underscores Iran’s efforts to rebuild and modernize its defense infrastructure after the 2025 conflict, signaling deeper military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

Iran and the United States are set to resume discussions in Geneva on Thursday, confirmed Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi. He announced the meeting in a social media post on Sunday, stating that the talks aim to achieve positive progress toward finalizing an agreement. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

The development comes as the United States continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East, a move that has heightened fears of a full-scale conflict with Iran. Just hours before Oman’s confirmation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready to implement a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure its nuclear program remains peaceful, which could help ease tensions.

Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Araghchi emphasized that despite military risks, Iran intends to enrich uranium domestically rather than purchasing it abroad, citing national pride and the value of its scientists’ achievements.

Amid ongoing discussions with the United States over its nuclear program, Iran has witnessed a resurgence of youth-led protests. On Sunday, for the second consecutive day, citizens gathered in Tehran for rallies and demonstrations. According to AFP, the protests began on Saturday as young anti-government demonstrators demanded justice for those killed by security forces during incidents in December and January.

In response, pro-government groups called for counter-rallies involving young supporters. Iran’s Fars News reported that the protests have spread across three universities in Tehran, with Sharif University emerging as the focal point of the movement. Videos circulating on social media showed students at Sharif University marching with flags from the era of former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and chanting anti-government slogans.

The renewed protests highlight growing generational dissent in Iran even as the government continues sensitive diplomatic negotiations with Washington over its nuclear activities.

Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its Islamic Revolution on 11 February amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel. US President Donald Trump has threatened regime change in Tehran over its nuclear program and reportedly considered limited strikes targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior officials. Washington has deployed aircraft carriers and additional fighter jets near Iran, while Israel has placed its defense forces on high alert and prepared for potential missile retaliation.

Khamenei, now 86 and in power for 36 years, is confronting one of the gravest crises of his rule. Iran’s economy remains crippled by sanctions, and recent protests over inflation and shortages have left thousands dead after violent crackdowns. Meanwhile, Iran’s regional influence has waned following the weakening of allies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and the loss of key military infrastructure in Israeli and US strikes.

Despite these setbacks, Khamenei has vowed to defend the Islamic Republic, warning that Iran could sink US warships if attacked. The outcome of this standoff may determine the future of Iran’s revolutionary system and its role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Saturday that his country will not bow to pressure from the United States, following US President Donald Trump’s remarks that he was considering limited military strikes to force a deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Pezeshkian made the comments at a ceremony in Tehran honouring Iranian Paralympians, as the US expanded its military presence in the Gulf with two aircraft carriers and dozens of fighter jets.

Indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the US resumed earlier this month in Oman and continued last week in Switzerland, but no breakthrough was achieved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft deal could be finalised within days. Meanwhile, Trump warned that Iran had a short window to reach a “meaningful deal,” and hinted at possible limited strikes. Iran’s letter to the UN Security Council cautioned that any US aggression would be met “decisively and proportionately.”

The growing military buildup has raised fears of regional conflict, prompting several countries, including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia, to advise their citizens to leave Iran.

Iran has temporarily closed sections of the Strait of Hormuz and conducted live-fire military drills amid escalating tensions with the United States. The move coincides with the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford to the Gulf, marking one of the largest US military build-ups in the region since 2003. The strait, through which about 20 percent of global oil supplies and a fifth of global LNG shipments pass, is the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. Tehran’s actions served as a warning of the potential economic fallout if Washington proceeds with threats to strike Iran.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, roughly 20 million barrels of oil worth nearly $500bn transit the strait daily, with 84 percent of crude and 83 percent of LNG bound for Asia. Analysts told Al Jazeera that any closure would cause a major spike in oil prices, as 70 percent of OPEC+ spare capacity lies in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other exporters have limited alternative routes, while Asian economies such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea depend heavily on uninterrupted flows.

Experts warned that a prolonged disruption could trigger global inflation, raise production costs, and unsettle Gulf investment and development projects.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that recent nuclear talks with the United States had produced “encouraging signals,” while warning that Tehran remains prepared for any outcome ahead of a new round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. His remarks came as fears of military confrontation grew, with the US expanding its military presence in the Gulf and President Donald Trump warning of “really bad things” if no deal is reached. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi confirmed that the third round of indirect talks between the two sides will take place in Switzerland.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reaffirmed that Tehran’s nuclear programme is a matter of national pride and that the country will not abandon it while it remains under international safeguards. He said Iran is ready to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency and emphasized its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment. Araqchi added that Iran is preparing a draft proposal aimed at accommodating both sides’ interests and achieving a “fast deal.”

Observers remain cautious, noting that despite positive rhetoric, major differences persist. Analysts warned that US expectations shaped by Israeli influence could hinder progress even if Iran offers significant concessions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country will not yield to US pressure regarding its nuclear program. He made the statement during a ceremony honoring members of Iran’s Paralympic team. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes to pressure Iranian leaders into reaching a nuclear control agreement.

Responding to Trump’s comments, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to any challenges or coordinated efforts by world powers to force compliance. The statement underscored Tehran’s defiance as indirect talks between Iran and the United States resumed earlier this month in Oman, followed by a second round in Switzerland last week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that a diplomatic solution was within reach and that a draft agreement could be finalized within two to three days for submission to Washington.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has conducted the first test of the Sayyad-3G air defense missile in the Strait of Hormuz. The missile, with a range of 150 kilometers, was launched as part of a naval exercise. Iranian authorities stated that the new system will enhance regional air defense capabilities. The IRGC released footage of the launch on Saturday, showcasing the naval version of the previously land-based Sayyad-3G system.

According to the report, Iran had earlier tested the long-range, land-based Sayyad-3 missile on December 28, 2016. That version had a range of 120 kilometers, a length of six meters, and a weight of 900 kilograms. The recent test took place during the “Smart Control” exercise, which began on February 16 and lasted three days.

The development marks Iran’s continued effort to expand its air defense technology and adapt existing systems for naval use, as reported by Middle East Monitor.