2026/02/16Grossi: “In-Depth Technical Talks” With Araghchi Wrap Up Ahead of Geneva Negotiations
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said he has completed in-depth technical discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva , framing the meeting as preparation for important negotiations scheduled for tomorrow . Grossi added that the talks focused on preparing positions and clarifying technical issues tied to upcoming Iran–U.S. (indirect) nuclear negotiations expected to take place in Geneva on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 .
2026/02/16Le Monde: Iran’s Intensifying Crackdown Tied to Khamenei Succession Crisis
France’s Le Monde , in an analysis titled “Ali Khamenei, or the Twilight of an Autocrat,” argues that the regime’s escalating repression is directly linked to a growing succession crisis around Iran’s supreme leader. The article frames the crackdown not only as a response to dissent but as part of a broader effort to control the transition and prevent fractures within the power structure as the post-Khamenei era comes into view.
2026/02/16Iran International: At Least 14 Protesters Sentenced to Death in “Online” Court Sessions
Iran International reports that Abolqasem Salavati , head of Branch 15 of Iran’s Revolutionary Court, has issued death sentences for at least 14 detained protesters in online proceedings, including Abolfazl Karimi . According to the report, Karimi told his family he was subjected to beatings, torture, and a forced confession , saying he was made to sign confession papers while blindfolded and without proper medical treatment for his injuries. Sources also say Salavati has been holding simultaneous virtual hearings for protesters in groups of 14 . Karimi, 35 , is described as a motorbike courier in east Tehran and the father of a young child. The report says he was detained on Dey 16 while returning from work after trying to help two wounded women in the Hengam neighborhood of Tehran—women who had reportedly been shot in the leg. It adds that officers fired pellet shots at Karimi’s leg and arrested him alongside the two injured women. After about a month in Tehran's Greater Prison , the report says Karimi was recently transferred with around 50 other protesters to Qezel Hesar Prison . Iran International also notes it previously received information indicating Salavati issued a death sentence for Mohammad-Amin Biglari , a 19-year-old detained on Dey 18 on Tehran’s Damavand Street, and that his case has reportedly been sent to Iran’s Supreme Court .
2026/02/16Iran FM Ministry: Araghchi–Grossi Meeting in Geneva Focused on “Technical Issues”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said a meeting between Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was held at the Iranian foreign minister’s residence in Geneva , where the two sides discussed “certain technical matters” linked to Iran–IAEA cooperation within the framework of Iran’s safeguards commitments and “in accordance with the law passed by Parliament.” The ministry also said Iran presented its technical views related to the indirect Iran–U.S. nuclear talks during the meeting.
2026/02/15Tehran Tries to Shrink Munich: “Embarrassing” Label Leads Post-Rally Narrative Fight
After the “Global Day of Action” rallies by Iranians abroad—highlighted by a huge turnout in Munich —Iranian officials and state-aligned outlets moved quickly to downplay the scale and attack participants , according to reporting by Iran International. In parliament on 26 Bahman 1404 (Feb. 15, 2026) , Tehran MP Seyyed Morteza Mahmoudi called the Munich gathering “ ridiculous ” and “ embarrassing ,” claiming attendees were “brought” from across Europe with heavy costs for flights and tickets, and arguing the Pahlavis “are nothing” against the Islamic Republic’s power—comments echoed in Iranian state-linked media coverage. Crowd estimates remain politically contested, but the rally’s scale was described by international media as exceptional: AP reported about 250,000 people in Munich on Feb. 14 , tied to Reza Pahlavi’s call for worldwide protests.
2026/02/15Iran International: Death Sentence Issued for 19-Year-Old Detainee; Case Sent to Supreme Court
Iran International reported that Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court , presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati , has issued a death sentence for Mohammad-Amin Bigleri (19) , who was arrested on 18 Dey on Damavand Street in Tehran while returning home from work. The outlet says the case has now been forwarded to Iran’s Supreme Court for review. Iran International previously reported Bigleri’s پرونده was moved from Branch 3 to Branch 15 , raising family fears of a capital verdict. The report adds that his mother has died and that his father only learned of the arrest weeks later after searching for him for an extended period.
2026/02/15Iran’s Top General to Trump: “If You Want War, Why Talk Negotiations?”
Iran’s armed forces chief Abdolrahim Mousavi questioned President Donald Trump’s mix of threats and diplomacy, asking: “If Trump intends war, why does he talk about negotiations?” He also warned that any conflict with Iran would be “ a lesson ” for Trump and would stop him from “ bullying the world ,” according to Iranian media reports. The remarks land as Washington boosts its regional posture— dispatching a second U.S. aircraft carrier toward the Middle East—while U.S. officials have also described preparations for a scenario that could involve weeks-long operations if Trump orders an attack.
2026/02/15Zibakalam Warns: “Tehran Knows It Can’t Win Against the U.S.—War Means Ruin, Not Victory”
Iranian reformist commentator Sadegh Zibakalam said the Islamic Republic understands it cannot “succeed or win” in a confrontation with the United States, arguing that war would deliver little beyond destroying infrastructure and crippling Iran’s industries . He added that if a deal is not reached, war is not a good alternative and what could await Iran would be “ very, very horrifying .” Zibakalam also cautioned that even if war happens, it does not necessarily mean the system will fall—rather, it could trigger a far more catastrophic outcome .
2026/02/15Bastakian: Diaspora’s Mass Turnout Signals “Time to Recognize” Pahlavi’s Transition Leadership
Ellen Bastakian , a change-leadership and crisis-management specialist and adviser to the Iran Prosperity Project , said the large-scale participation of Iranians abroad is meant as a message to Western officials that the time has come to engage with Prince Reza Pahlavi and formalize recognition of transition-period leadership . Her comments come as Iranian diaspora mobilization around the Munich Security Conference drew unusually large crowds and renewed calls for a coordinated international posture toward Tehran.
2026/02/15Khaledi: Diaspora’s “Million-Person” Mobilization Presses West to Drop Passivity—and Recognize Pahlavi’s Leadership
Middle East and international relations researcher Shahram Khaledi said the “strategic message” of the million-strong gatherings of Iranians abroad is that Western governments and the international community should stop actively supporting the Islamic Republic—or remaining passive in the face of it—and instead accept the “established leadership” of Prince Reza Pahlavi . The comments came amid a weekend of major diaspora demonstrations tied to the Munich Security Conference. Iran International reported over one million people rallied worldwide, while police estimates put the Munich crowd at about 250,000 .
2026/02/15Rooftop Chants Return: Night Slogans Echo Across Iran as Global Rallies Surge
A wave of nighttime chants was reported across multiple Iranian cities on Saturday evening , coinciding with large-scale demonstrations by Iranians abroad. Iran International said videos sent to the outlet showed residents in places including Baghestan (Alborz) , Ajoudanieh (Tehran) and Pardis (Tehran province) shouting anti-government slogans from neighborhoods and rooftops. The chants came as Iranian diaspora protests drew unusually large crowds worldwide—reports highlighted especially large gatherings in Munich and other major cities—underscoring a synchronized “inside–outside” pressure cycle.
2026/02/15“Why Didn’t You Pull the Plug Sooner?” Iranian MP Calls for Probe as Report Links Crackdown Tech to China
Iranian MP Hamid Rasaee said parliament should investigate why the internet was not cut earlier during the 18–19 Dey unrest (roughly January 8–9, 2026 ), arguing the delayed shutdown helped events spiral and calling for formal review through parliamentary procedures. Iran later imposed a near-total internet blackout starting January 8, 2026 , with reporting also describing efforts to disrupt satellite connectivity as authorities sought to choke off information flows during the crackdown. A new ARTICLE 19 report argues this kind of “digital repression” has been enabled by more than a decade of Chinese technology transfers and governance know-how—pointing to imported surveillance/filtering capabilities and the export of China’s “ cyber sovereignty ” model into Iran’s internet-control architecture.
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