translate
English
پارسی
English
Englishپارسی
English
Englishپارسی
EnglishپارسیEnglishپارسیThe first day of Russia–U.S.–Ukraine consultations in Geneva wrapped up after roughly six hours, with discussions held in both bilateral and trilateral formats, according to a source cited by Reuters. The same source said the talks were “very tense” and agreed to continue tomorrow.
Russian state-linked outlet RT also reported the session had ended, saying its correspondent observed diplomats’ motorcade leaving the venue and that talks would resume the next day—broadly consistent with the Reuters timeline, though RT’s on-the-ground detail is RT’s own reporting.
Separately, Reuters reported that the Geneva round is part of U.S.-mediated efforts to push toward an endgame framework, taking place as fighting continues on the ground.
President Donald Trump said Cuba “should absolutely make a deal,” arguing the island has been “treated horribly by the Castros” and claiming the U.S. is “currently talking” with Havana—while noting that “in the meantime, there’s an embargo.”
When asked whether Washington is considering a Venezuela-style operation for Cuba, Trump declined to answer directly: “I don’t want to answer that,” adding that if such an operation were contemplated, “it wouldn’t be very tough,” but he “doesn’t think that’ll be necessary.”
The comments land amid escalating U.S. efforts to choke off Cuba’s fuel inflows and raise the costs for third countries supplying the island—tightening a pressure campaign that the administration has framed as both humanitarian and strategic.
Ukraine’s delegation at the U.S.-mediated Geneva talks is reportedly split into two camps over whether to move quickly toward an agreement shaped under Washington’s leadership. Sources cited by The Economist describe a “Budanov wing” arguing that a fast deal with Russia could be advantageous because the “window of opportunity may close soon,” while other negotiators are said to oppose rushing into a U.S.-brokered framework.
What else is known so far about the trilateral (Ukraine–Russia–U.S.) track launched in Geneva:
Iran has declared during negotiations with the United States that it is prepared to withdraw part of its enriched uranium stockpile abroad — potentially to Russia — according to diplomats cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Tehran has also signaled readiness to suspend uranium enrichment activities for up to three years and to conclude business agreements with Washington as part of a broader diplomatic package.
However, the proposal reportedly stops short of a complete and permanent halt to uranium enrichment — a core demand repeatedly emphasized by U.S. President Donald Trump. The divergence highlights a persistent gap between the two sides over the long-term future of Iran’s nuclear program, even as tactical compromises appear to be under discussion.
The reported flexibility from Tehran may indicate an attempt to reduce tensions and create room for phased confidence-building measures, while maintaining strategic leverage over its nuclear capabilities.
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the final decision on potential U.S. military action against Iran will be made in the coming weeks, reacting as Tehran–Washington talks continue in Geneva.
His comments landed as the second round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., mediated by Oman, proceeded under heightened regional tension and military signaling.
Russia could deploy naval forces to stop European countries from seizing Russian-linked vessels and may retaliate against European shipping if Russian ships are taken, Nikolai Patrushev—a senior Kremlin hardliner and chair of Russia’s Maritime Board—was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
The warning comes as Western governments intensify sanctions pressure and scrutiny of “shadow” tanker activity tied to Russian oil flows. Patrushev portrayed potential seizures as “piracy” and argued Russia must be ready to project naval presence even far from home to protect maritime routes.
The backdrop includes recent U.S. interdictions linked to Venezuela: on January 7, 2026, U.S. authorities said they seized a Russian-flagged tanker after a weeks-long pursuit as part of efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports.
U.S. and Iranian ministers are set to meet in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday to discuss Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities, according to media reports. The talks come under a heavier security backdrop after reports said the U.S. deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East and was preparing contingency plans for an extended military campaign if diplomacy fails.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday he will be “indirectly involved” in the discussions, though it remains unclear what form that involvement will take. The Geneva meeting follows earlier talks this month that were widely seen as inconclusive, keeping markets focused on headline risk and the geopolitical risk premium.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis met Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in Geneva ahead of the next round of U.S.–Iran negotiations expected to take place there under Omani facilitation.
In a public message, Cassis praised Oman’s “constructive” role in enabling dialogue and welcomed the decision to hold the talks in Switzerland, describing it as taking place in the “heart of International Geneva.” He added Switzerland supports efforts to de-escalate tensions and remains ready to host and support further dialogue.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi said in an Instagram message that Iran’s “wounded society,” after suffering a heavy blow, has fused anger and grief into “two powerful arms” to lean on—rising again and raising its voice of protest less than a month later. She argued that the authorities have failed to halt the protests.
Ebadi added that nighttime slogans have resumed since the evening of 22 Bahman, and that despite forced confessions, show trials, and wide-ranging sentences, demonstrations are continuing and “the people have not fallen silent.”
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett posted a photo with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on X, saying they discussed “the situation in Iran” and options for action against the Islamic Republic.
Bennett wrote that Iran’s leadership is “weaker than ever” and argued that now is the time to apply stronger pressure to enable the fall of what he called a “murderous regime” and dismantle its regional “terror octopus.” He also claimed Israel’s political spectrum—government and opposition—would back such a move, framing it as national unity against Israel’s enemies.
In an interview with Iran International, Mehrzad Boroujerdi—dean of the College of Humanities at Missouri University of Science and Technology—said the core dispute in nuclear negotiations centers on whether Iran’s enrichment must be reduced to “zero” or allowed to continue.
He argued that if talks focus strictly on the nuclear file, three issues sit at the heart of the standoff: (1) continuation vs. a full halt to enrichment, (2) dilution or export of uranium enriched above 60%, and (3) permitting frequent IAEA inspections of nuclear facilities.
Boroujerdi added that Tehran has tried to tilt the negotiating climate toward economic incentives—including the possibility of U.S. investment in Iran’s oil, gas, and mining sectors—seeking to appeal to Donald Trump’s commercial approach. But he said the “main knot” remains the same three fundamentals.
Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, said Israel has upgraded its F-35I “Adir” fighter jets with additional fuel tanks that extend operational range “without compromising stealth,” in remarks to Israel Hayom cited by The Times of Israel.
Leiter also claimed Israel has added four missiles mounted on the wings, signaling broader efforts to expand the platform’s reach and payload options—though specific technical details were not disclosed.