Iran requests change to venue, format of nuclear talks with US - Axios
Separately on Tuesday, Iranian officials threatened to withdraw from the upcoming Istanbul talks, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Middle East
Iranian gunboats approach US-flagged tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US shoots down drone
UNIFIL claims IDF drones carried 'unidentified object' near peacekeepers, violating ceasefire
Taliban penal code legalizes slavery, places women below animals, expert tells 'Post' - interview
Qatar welcomes Rafah Crossing reopening in Gaza, reiterates support for two-state solution
The statement called on all parties to fully implement the ceasefire in Gaza and to keep crossings open to allow a continuous flow of humanitarian aid.
UAE urges Iran talks as US deploys warships and Tehran signals openness to negotiations
Anwar Gargash, advisor to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the Gulf state does not want to see another regional confrontation.
Cryptocurrency platforms facilitated Iran's evasion of sanctions, US suspects
US authorities are examining whether crypto platforms helped Iranian officials evade sanctions, as digital currency use in Iran surged to billions of dollars last year.
Iran still deeply entrenched in Europe despite IRGC listing, experts warn
Experts stressed that Iran’s Islamic regime has spent decades covertly entrenching itself across the continent, often under the cover of diplomacy, making removal far from straightforward.
How Iran’s economic collapse is tightening the regime’s options - analysis
Iran’s central bank began distributing a 5,000,000-rial “Iran-cheque” on Sunday, describing it as a step to “facilitate the circulation of cash” and speed up everyday transactions.
Second Iranian diplomat abandons post, seeks asylum for family in Switzerland - report
Iran's Foreign Ministry has not commented on Derikvand's actions, according to the outlet, and has "avoided discussing the case or claiming ignorance due to fear of intelligence agencies."
Witkoff's Israel visit aims to explore red lines, acceptable terms in Iran negotiations - analysis
As Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Israel, officials see the visit as a real-time effort to test Israel’s red lines on Iran and gauge what kind of deal Jerusalem could tolerate.
Lebanese army chief meets US counterparts to boost military support
Lebanon’s army chief, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, met US officials this week to strengthen military support and discuss efforts to disarm Hezbollah amid ongoing regional tensions.
Five Gazan patients evacuated via newly-opened Rafah crossing in first since 2025
"On the second of February, WHO and partners supported the medical evacuation of five patients and seven companions to Egypt via the Rafah crossing," said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier.
Iran arrests 139 foreign nationals over protests in central Yazd province
The protests, which started in December over economic hardships and quickly turned political, were repressed in the most violent crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
