Links to 10 reports: from Agence France-Presse, Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and the Cradle, and to a discussion from ScheerPost; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials and those of participants below. (Scroll down for IRAN 2-16-26, and up or down for GAZA, WEST BANK and UKRAINE.) — MCM
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NEWER Iran FM says agreed with U.S. ‘on guiding principles’ for deal. From AFP. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today the latest talks with the United States saw them agree on “a set of guiding principles” that would pave the way for a deal. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for longer AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others. Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.
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Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz as it held latest round of indirect talks with U.S., by Jamey Keaten and Stephanie Liechtenstein | AP GENEVA — Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz today for live fire military drills in a rare show of force as its negotiators held another round of indirect talks with the United States in Geneva over its disputed nuclear program. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE for earlier report from NPR.
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Khamenei vows to send U.S. aircraft carriers ‘to the bottom of the sea’ amid round two of talks. From the Cradle. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on 17 February that Tehran will sink US aircraft carriers “to the bottom of the sea,” coinciding with a second round of negotiations between Washington and the Islamic Republic in Geneva. READ MORE . . .
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Iran-U.S. talks restart as Khamenei warns Islamic Republic will not be destroyed. From Middle East Eye. Talks mediated by Oman have begun near Geneva between Iranian and U.S. delegations over Iran’s nuclear programme, as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned President Donald Trump he would not be able to “destroy” the Islamic Republic. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 16 IRGC launches ‘smart control’ naval drills in Strait of Hormuz. From the Cradle. The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have begun military drills in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Press TV reported on Monday, amid the ongoing U.S. buildup of military power in the region. READ MORE . . .
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Former deputy special envoy for Iran discusses U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR As the U.S. and Iran continue to engage indirectly in nuclear talks, Richard Nephew, former deputy special envoy for Iran in the Biden administration, talks about some of the remaining challenges. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Trump administration tries to resolve three crises with Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Reported by Greg Myre and Leila Fadel | NPR This week, the Trump administration seeks diplomatic deals on three fronts, as it tries to make a nuclear deal with Iran, end the Russia-Ukraine war and advance a ceasefire in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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A look at how the Trump administration is approaching Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute about how the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, Ukraine and Gaza aligns with national security. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM FEB. 15 The World This Week. From ScheerPost. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Consortium News editor-in-chief Joe Lauria and international affairs writer Patrick Lawrence speak about Russia and Europe (for an hour) and Iran and Israel (for another) — amid Trump administration turmoil concerning ongoing Epstein files revelations and Constitutional questions. Click HERE for video and introduction.
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