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Motorists drive past as firefighters battle a fire that broke out in Jannat Bazaar, west of Tehran on Feb. 3, 2026.

Analysis

US, Iran weigh de-escalation declaration as first step of talks

Behind the scenes, Iran and the United States are exploring a cautious diplomatic track centered on de-escalation rather than immediate concessions.

By A correspondent in Iran

In Iran, reporting on politics

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman.

US F-35 downs Iran drone as IRGC boats target tanker near Hormuz

The US military accused Iran of "unnecessary aggression" after shooting down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and IRGC vessels approached a US-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz ahead of US-Iran talks later this week.

Iran

Iran seeks nuclear-only US talks, to drop Turkey as host: Source

Iran’s push for a bilateral, nuclear-only format and a possible shift to Oman has frustrated mediators.

Turkey

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a press conference on May 11, 2011, at the green zone area in Baghdad, Iraq.

Iraq’s Maliki rejects Trump criticism, vows to stay in PM race

Maliki refused to withdraw from the race, despite mounting pressure from the US, and expressed a desire for good relations with Iraq’s neighbors and Washington.

Iraq

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrives for a press conference with the US president and Israel's prime minister in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 4, 2025.

Witkoff meets Netanyahu as Israel warns against potential Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s security chiefs briefed US envoy Steve Witkoff on the country’s concerns ahead of Friday’s US-Iran talks.

Israel

Latest News

Bracing for backlash, Iran sends mixed signals on US talks

Commuters drive along a bridge near a building bearing a landmark anti-US mural in Tehran, on June 22, 2025.

Iran

US says Sudan warring parties back withdrawal plan as donors pledge $700M in aid

Sudan

On eve of talks, UAE's Gargash throws weight behind Iran-US deal

United Arab Emirates

Lebanon’s army chief in Washington as Hezbollah disarmament enters critical phase

Lebanon

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Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo AFC/M23, arrives at Unity Stadium with rebel leaders for a funeral ceremony for victims who died in a drone strike in Masisi territory, in Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

Congo rebel leader claims responsibility for drone attack on strategic northeast city

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump walks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Trump International Golf Links, in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain, July 28, 2025. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS

UK's Starmer discussed Ukraine in call with Trump, British government says

Reuters

Members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces wait for the arrival of the security forces of the Syrian government during the curfew, following an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government, in Qamishli, Syria, February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Syrian security deploy in key Kurdish city under US-backed deal

Reuters

UAE's Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh speaks to the media at Limassol port, Cyprus, where aid is accumulating for the people of Gaza, November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou

UAE pledges $500 million for Sudan aid as Washington gathers donors

Reuters

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Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, meets with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at Za’abeel Palace in Dubai on Jan. 28, 2026.

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US, Iran weigh de-escalation declaration as first step of talks

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In Iran, reporting on politics

Al-Monitor's Amberin Zaman inside an abandoned Russian military base in Qamishli, Syria

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Kurdish protesters gather outside of USA house in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum with flags of Kurdistan

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