Russia trying to de-escalate Iran tensions, says Kremlin
Russia has reiterated that it is involved in discussions to de-escalate tensions in Iran, it said on Monday.
The Kremlin has offered its support in the form of services to process or store Iran’s enriched uranium.
The relationship between Moscow and Tehran has changed significantly over the past decade, most notably since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Traditionally, their relationship has been characterised by a mix of “cooperation, competition, and suspicion”, according to the Washington-based CNA national security think tank.
In January last year, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a 20-year strategic partnership, which was approved in May by the Iranian parliament.
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Maira Butt2 February 2026 10:27
Confirmed death toll nears 7,000 in deadly crackdown
The total number of confirmed deaths in Iran’s deadly crackdown has hit 6,713, while 17,091 cases are under investigation, according to US-based HRANA rights group.
Of those confirmed dead, 137 were under 18. Another 6,305 were reported as “protesters”, 214 were members of government-affiliated forces and 57 were “civilian, non-protesters”.
The number of injured civilians stands at 11,021, with 84 student arrests, 295 cases of forced confessions, and 11,028 summonses reported.
Maira Butt2 February 2026 10:06
Iran ‘confident’ on reaching a deal with the US
Iran’s foreign minister said he was “confident that we can achieve a deal” with the US on Tehran’s nuclear weapons program.
Speaking to CNN Sunday, Abbas Araghchi said there were parties wanting to drag Donald Trump in to a war for their own gain.
He said a meaningful negotiation between the two countries should be based on trust.
“Unfortunately, we have lost our trust [in] the US as a negotiating partner,” he said, adding that the exchange of messages through mediating countries was still able to facilitate “fruitful” talks.
“It is obvious to us that there are certain elements, certain parties, that want to drag President Trump into this war for their own benefits and I think President Trump is wise enough to make the correct decision.”
(AP)
Maira Butt2 February 2026 09:31
Iran summons EU ambassadors to protest Revolutionary Guard being listed as terror group
Iran has summoned all of the European Union’s ambassadors in the country to protest the bloc’s listing of the Islamic Republic’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terror group.
Last week the group was classified as a terrorist organisation over its part in a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that have led to thousands of deaths.
Other countries, including the US and Canada, have previously designated the Guard as a terrorist organization.
While the move is largely symbolic, it does add to the economic pressure squeezing Iran, particularly has the Guard has a major influence on the country’s economy.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told journalists that the ambassadors had been summoned on Sunday.
Members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) giving a military salute during a military parade in Tehran (Iranian Presidency)
Maira Butt2 February 2026 09:00
Iran exploring diplomacy options with US and expects results in coming
Iran is examining various diplomatic processes in order to manage tensions with the US, the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
It expects results in the coming days.
“Regional countries are the go-between for messages that have been exchanged,” he said.
“Various points have been exchanged and we are currently deciding and examining the details of each diplomatic process that we hope will bring results in coming days.”
He added: “This pertains to the process and framework of (talks).”
Maira Butt2 February 2026 08:29
Calls grow in Iran for independent probe into protest death toll
Pressure is mounting inside Iran for an independent inquiry into the true death toll from recent protests, after the government said it would publish the names of those killed.
Reformists and civil society figures say the official toll of just over 3,000 lacks credibility, with many believing the real number is far higher, and are calling for transparent mechanisms or a UN-led investigation to address deep public distrust and fears of retaliation against victims’ families.
File. People gather during protest on 8 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Demonstrations have been ongoing since December, triggered by soaring inflation and the collapse of the rial, and have expanded into broader demands for political change (Getty)
“Citizens should be able to publicly and openly upload names and information about the deceased without being identified. The site should then commit itself to verifying and providing necessary information about each announced name,” Mohsen Borhani, a law professor at Tehran University and a critic of the Iranian government, was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
Maroosha Muzaffar2 February 2026 08:00
Iran warns of regional warfare if US launches attack
In a retaliatory move, Tehran also designated European Union armies as “terrorist groups”.
Despite the ongoing standoff, both Iran’s clerical leadership and the Trump administration have signalled a readiness to resume talks, with regional allies like Turkey actively seeking de-escalation.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted on state media as saying that although Trump says he has sent ships to the region, “the Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things, the Iranian people will not be stirred by these threats.
Maroosha Muzaffar2 February 2026 07:30
Trump claims India will buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran
Donald Trump said India will begin buying oil from Venezuela instead of Iran, claiming a deal is already in place as Washington seeks to reshape global oil flows amid sanctions and trade pressure.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “India is coming in, and they’re going to be buying Venezuelan oil as opposed to buying it from Iran. So, we’ve already made that deal, the concept of the deal.”
India has largely avoided Iranian oil because of US sanctions and instead ramped up imports from Russia after discounted crude became available following the Ukraine war.
Trump (Associated Press)
The US has repeatedly pressured New Delhi to curb Russian oil purchases, including by sharply raising tariffs on Indian exports last year. However, officials have since signalled a possible rollback as Indian imports from Russia declined.
At the same time, Washington has eased some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector to facilitate sales, with a White House official saying the move “would help flow existing product” and that more easing could follow.
Maroosha Muzaffar2 February 2026 07:00
Iranian protester Erfan Soltani released on bail – report
Iranian protester Erfan Soltani, who was widely reported to be facing imminent execution over anti-government protests, has been released on bail after weeks in detention.
Iranian authorities denied he had been sentenced to death, saying he faced security-related charges.
Soltani’s lawyer, Amir Mousakhani, told AFP that his client was freed on bail on Saturday and was returned all his personal belongings, including his mobile phone.
He said bail was set at two billion tomans (about $12,600 or £9,200).
Maroosha Muzaffar2 February 2026 06:00
Comment: Donald Trump must proceed with caution on Iran
A misstep by America in the Middle East could be catastrophic, so it needs to seek a resolution through negotiation:
Maroosha Muzaffar2 February 2026 05:30