Links to four reports: from the Associated Press, the Cradle, Middle East Eye, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for IRAN 2-2-26, and up or down for WEST BANK, LEBANON, GAZA and UKRAINE.) — MCM

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Iran’s president seeks ‘fair and equitable negotiations’ with the United States, by Jon Gambrell | AP  DUBAI — Iran’s president said today 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 amid high tensions with Washington after the Mideast country’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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‘No nuclear program, no ballistic missiles, no support for resistance’: Israel sets red lines ahead of Iran–U.S. talks. From the Cradle. Israel is pushing the U.S. to maintain the “three no’s” in upcoming talks with Iran, Israeli media reported — referring to the demand that Tehran end enrichment and give up its nuclear program, end its ballistic missile program, and halt support for resistance groups in the region. READ MORE . . .

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Turkey says location of Iran-U.S. meeting still unknown, by Ragip Soylu and Oscar Rickett | Middle East Eye  ANKARA —  A meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Friday might now be held outside Turkey, according to Turkish officials. READ MORE . . .

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Voices from Iran: Women defy fear in the face of brutal crackdown. Reported by Jackie Northam | NPR  Over the past few weeks, an NPR producer reached out to several people in Iran to tell their story. People were terrified by the brutal government crackdown and wouldn’t allow us to record their voices. Eventually, three women agreed. Click HERE to listen and read.

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