Iran says drone was carrying out ‘routine and lawful’ mission in international waters
The drone that the US forced shot down was on a “routine and lawful” mission in international waters, carrying out reconnaissance and monitoring, according to Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“This drone successfully transmitted its surveillance and reconnaissance images to headquarters, but subsequently lost communication. The reason for this loss of contact is currently under review,” the report said.
Iran has not responded to the US attack on its drone on Tuesday yet.
Maroosha Muzaffar4 February 2026 05:10
Ready to negotiate with the US, Iran president says
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran is open to negotiations with the United States following encouragement from regional allies, but insisted that talks must happen without threats or excessive demands.
He posted on X that he has “instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists – one free from threats and unreasonable expectations – to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency”.
The statement comes amid rising tensions, with Iran’s supreme leader warning of a potential “regional war” if attacked, while US president Donald Trump has increased military pressure and threatened action unless Iran agrees to a nuclear deal and halts violence against protesters.
The talks are still going ahead in Oman – and not Turkey after Tehran reportedly demanded a change of venue, according to an Axios report.
Maroosha Muzaffar4 February 2026 04:30
Nuclear talks between US and Iran to take place in Oman – report
The United States and Iran are expected to hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday, according to an Axios report.
The Trump administration reportedly agreed to Tehran’s request to shift the venue from Turkey, while discussions are still ongoing about whether regional Arab and Muslim countries will join the negotiations, the report said, citing an Arab source.
Maroosha Muzaffar4 February 2026 03:49
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Bryony Gooch4 February 2026 03:00
Turkey working to ensure talks between US and Iran
Turkey has been working behind the scenes to make the talks happen there later this week as US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling in the region.
A Turkish official later said the location of talks was uncertain but that Turkey was ready to support the process. Foreign ministers from Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also been invited to attend the talks, if they happen, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity as they did not have permission to speak to journalists.
But whether Iran and the US. can reach an agreement remains to be seen, particularly as US president Donald Trump now has included Iran’s nuclear program in a list of demands from Tehran in any talks. Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June.
On Tuesday, Araghchi spoke by phone with his counterparts from Oman, Qatar, Turkey and Kuwait, but did not mention a possible venue.
Bryony Gooch4 February 2026 02:00
Karoline Leavitt says Iran talks are still on
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, despite events in the Gulf, talks with Iran were still scheduled for later in the week.
“I just spoke with special envoy [Steve] Witkoff, and these talks as of right now are still scheduled,” she told reporters.
She said that President Trump is “always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango.”
Graig Graziosi4 February 2026 01:30
Iran’s foreign minister instructed to pursue ‘fair and equitable negotations’
Iran’s president said Tuesday he instructed the country’s foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States, the first clear sign from Tehran it wants to try to negotiate as tensions remain high with Washington after the Mideast country’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month.
The announcement came as a US Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching an American aircraft carrier early Tuesday morning. The Iranian Mission to the UN did not immediately comment on the incident. The US military announced the downing of the drone on Tuesday evening.
Bryony Gooch4 February 2026 01:00
Iran says ‘media games’ should stop around meeting with US
Iran has said the location and timing of talks with the US are not complicated issues and shouldn’t be used as a “pretext for media games”.
The country said that Turkey, Oman and other countries in the region have all expressed readiness to host the talks.
Iran has said it appreciates all friendly countries making an effort to help create the conditions for the formation of a diplomatic process.
Bryony Gooch4 February 2026 00:45
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Bryony Gooch4 February 2026 00:01
The Independent View: America must proceed with caution on Iran
Bryony Gooch3 February 2026 23:00