LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S.-ISRAEL CONFLICT / FEB 03
WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the possible Iran–U.S.–Israel clash here.
Israeli Officials Warn U.S. Envoy: A Nuclear-Only Deal with Iran Is Unacceptable
WANA (Jan 03) – Israeli media have reported that senior Israeli political and security officials plan to deliver a clear message to Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, ahead of his scheduled visit to meet with the Israeli prime minister and top defense officials.
According to these reports, Israel will only consider acceptable any potential agreement with Iran that goes beyond the country’s nuclear program and includes a broader set of security requirements.
The reports say Israeli officials intend to present four core principles they view as non-negotiable, stressing that the absence of any one of them would render an agreement “weak and dangerous.”
- The first demand is the removal of all enriched uranium currently held by Iran. Israeli officials estimate that Iran possesses around 400 kilograms of enriched material, which they argue should be transferred to a third country.
- The second requirement is a complete halt to uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, which Israel considers essential to preventing further nuclear advancement.
- The third condition calls for strict limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile program, including caps on missile range and production capacity.
- The fourth and final element involves ending Iran’s financial and military support for allied and proxy groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
Israeli security officials emphasized that their message to the U.S. envoy would be unambiguous: only an agreement that fully incorporates all four elements would be regarded as strong and acceptable.
They also warned against any deal focused solely on Iran’s nuclear program, saying such an agreement would be not only detrimental to Israel but also harmful to regional stability.
Pakistan Confirms Invitation to Iran–U.S. Talks
WANA (Feb 03) – Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed that Islamabad has been invited to participate in upcoming negotiations between Iran and the United States, lending new weight to recent speculation about Pakistan’s potential role in renewed diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi said Pakistan had received a formal invitation to take part in the talks. He did not provide further details on the format or agenda of the negotiations but emphasized Islamabad’s support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at easing regional tensions…
Pakistan Confirms Invitation to Iran–U.S. Talks
WANA (Feb 03) – Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed that Islamabad has been invited to participate in upcoming negotiations between Iran and the United States, lending new weight to recent speculation about Pakistan’s potential role in renewed diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesperson […]
Anwar Gargash: An Iran–U.S. Agreement Could Help End Regional Tensions
Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, emphasized that the Middle East has no desire to witness another conflict—particularly between Iran and the United States—and described an understanding between the two countries as a key factor in reducing regional tensions.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Gargash said the Middle East has experienced numerous devastating conflicts over recent years and is now in urgent need of stability and sustainable solutions. He stressed that the region requires a long-term approach rather than further escalation.
Referring to the negative consequences of continued crises, the UAE presidential advisor added: “I do not believe the region needs another confrontation. I would like to see direct negotiations between Iran and the United States lead to an understanding, so that these recurring tensions do not arise again.”
France: Europe to Play a Role in Possible Iran–US Talks
WANA (Feb 03) – As reports circulate about a possible meeting between Iran’s foreign minister and the US president’s special envoy, France’s foreign minister has said that Europe will take part in the discussions “in one way or another.”
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, said in an interview with the French television channel France 2, quoted on Tuesday by Le Figaro, that Europe—particularly France, the United Kingdom, and Germany—has been at the forefront of negotiations with Iran over the past decade and will continue to play a key role in any future diplomatic process.
Referring to a potential meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly scheduled for Friday in Istanbul, Barrot stressed that if Iran were to make a fundamental shift in its position at the appropriate time and issues such as the lifting of sanctions or restrictions were to be addressed, this process would have to go “through Europe.”
Barrot added that France is in close contact with countries acting as intermediaries between Tehran and Washington and supports their mediation efforts. He also pointed to a number of domestic preconditions inside Iran and said that, following these steps, issues related to nuclear and missile programs, as well as what he described as Iran’s regional activities, would need to be discussed…
France: Europe to Play a Role in Possible Iran–US Talks
WANA (Feb 03) – As reports circulate about a possible meeting between Iran’s foreign minister and the US president’s special envoy, France’s foreign minister has said that Europe will take part in the discussions “in one way or another.” Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, said in an interview with the […]
U.S. Carrier Abraham Lincoln Pulls Back to Southern Yemen, 1,400 km from Iran
USS Abraham Lincoln. Social media /WANA News Agency
WANA (Feb 03) – A knowledgeable military intelligence source has reported the repositioning of the U.S. Navy’s Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to waters off southern Yemen, a development that has drawn attention amid rising security tensions in West Asia.
According to the source, the U.S. carrier group—accompanied by several destroyers and a support submarine—is currently deployed near the Gulf of Aden, east of Yemen’s Socotra Island. The deployment places the group at an estimated distance of around 1,400 kilometers from Iran’s southeastern port of Chabahar, indicating an increased separation from Iran’s coastal waters compared to its previous positions.
The report comes as Iranian officials have, in recent days, warned about the potential consequences of an escalation in U.S. military actions in the region. Iranian authorities have cautioned that such moves could raise the risk of a broader regional conflict and lead to significant repercussions for global energy markets, including a sharp rise in oil prices.
At the same time, Iran’s Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces has publicly announced a shift in the country’s military doctrine, stating that it has entered a more offensive phase.
Iran’s President Orders Conditional Review of Nuclear Talks With the United States
WANA (Feb 03) – Iran’s president has announced a conditional directive to explore the possibility of nuclear negotiations with the United States, stressing that any talks would depend on clearly defined political and diplomatic conditions.
In a message published on the social media platform X, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the decision was taken in response to requests from several friendly governments in the region and following a proposal by the U.S. president to initiate negotiations. He stated that Iran’s foreign minister has been instructed to assess the feasibility of talks “only if an appropriate environment exists—free from threats and unrealistic demands.”
Pezeshkian emphasized that any potential negotiations must be fair and balanced, conducted strictly within the framework of Iran’s national interests. He added that such engagement would be guided by the principles of “dignity, wisdom, and expediency,” terms commonly used in Iran’s official foreign policy discourse to define acceptable boundaries for diplomacy.
The statement comes as Iran’s nuclear program remains a central source of tension between Tehran and Washington, while several regional actors continue diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation. By underlining the conditional nature of any dialogue, the Iranian president signaled a cautious approach, linking the prospect of talks to changes in tone and behavior from the U.S. side rather than signaling an unconditional return to negotiations.
Oman and Qatar Propose Mediation Plan to Ease Iran–U.S. Dispute, Report Says
WANA (Feb 03) – The Wall Street Journal has reported that Oman and Qatar have prepared a joint proposal to mediate the long-running dispute between Iran and the United States, drawing on frameworks used in international efforts to manage the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine.
According to the report, the initiative aims to establish a phased mechanism for de-escalation and to reopen channels of dialogue between Tehran and Washington. The proposed approach is said to focus on gradual confidence-building measures and the avoidance of actions that could further heighten tensions. The newspaper, citing informed sources, noted that Muscat and Doha are seeking to apply their previous experience in regional and international mediation to shape the plan.
Details of the proposal have not been made public, and neither Iran nor the United States has issued an official response to the report so far. The initiative comes at a time when Iran’s nuclear file and broader disagreements with Washington remain among the most complex challenges in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Political observers suggest that the involvement of Oman and Qatar—both of which have a long track record of acting as intermediaries between rival actors—could, if supported by the parties involved, pave the way for a new framework to manage the dispute. However, the success of such an effort would ultimately depend on the political willingness of Tehran and Washington to engage in a potentially lengthy but less confrontational process.
Turkish Media Claim Istanbul Will Host Iran–U.S. Nuclear Meeting Under Erdoğan’s Chairmanship
WANA (Feb 03) – Several Turkish media outlets have claimed that Istanbul is set to host a meeting related to Iran’s nuclear dossier involving representatives from Iran and the United States, with Turkey playing an active facilitating role.
According to these reports, a meeting focused on nuclear discussions is scheduled to take place on Friday at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace. The participants are said to include Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, a representative of U.S. President Donald Trump. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is also expected to attend.
The same reports allege that the meeting will open under the chairmanship of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a move that—if confirmed—would underscore Ankara’s efforts to position itself as a mediator in one of the region’s most complex diplomatic files.
As of the time of publication, none of the relevant Iranian or U.S. officials have confirmed or denied these claims. Nevertheless, the reports have drawn international attention, particularly amid growing regional diplomatic activity and ongoing speculation about Turkey’s potential role in facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Any Threat Against Iran’s Security Will Face a Firm and Reciprocal Response
WANA (Feb 03) – The spokesman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Parliament said the Islamic Republic of Iran is at the height of its defensive power and warned that any threat against Iran’s national security will be met with a firm, reciprocal, and proportionate response.
Referring to the years-long military presence and sustained pressure exerted by the United States against Iran, the parliamentary official said Washington’s primary objective has been to gain access to the region’s oil resources and to ensure the security of the Israeli regime, which he described as the largest U.S. military outpost in West Asia…
Any Threat Against Iran’s Security Will Face a Firm and Reciprocal Response
WANA (Feb 03) – The spokesman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Parliament said the Islamic Republic of Iran is at the height of its defensive power and warned that any threat against Iran’s national security will be met with a firm, reciprocal, and proportionate response. Referring to the years-long […]
Shamkhani: Uranium Will Not Leave Iran; If the U.S. Attacks, Israel Will Be Targeted
Ali Shamkhani – WANA
WANA (Feb 03) – Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said in a new in-depth interview with Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen network that the transfer of Iran’s enriched uranium abroad is “completely off the table,” warning that any U.S. military attack on Iran would be met with a direct response against Israel.
Appearing in military uniform during the interview, Shamkhani said the choice carried a “practical message,” reflecting Iran’s full readiness for any scenario. He stressed that Tehran lives under the “shadow of war,” but this preparedness does not signal a desire for conflict; rather, it is a response to what he described as unjust threats and pressures imposed by adversaries.
Negotiations Limited to the Nuclear File and Conditional
Shamkhani underlined that negotiations are possible only on the nuclear issue and only with the United States, provided two core conditions are met: the removal of threats and the abandonment of unrealistic demands. He said Europe has proven incapable of playing an effective role in recent years and that the nuclear dispute can be resolved solely between Tehran and Washington.
According to him, if talks begin in a fair, non-coercive environment, reaching an understanding is possible. Indirect negotiations, he added, could quickly turn into direct talks if a climate of mutual understanding emerges.
Iran’s Red Line: No Export of Enriched Uranium
Rejecting reports about the possible transfer of Iran’s enriched uranium to another country, Shamkhani said there is “no justification whatsoever” for such a move. He pointed to the Supreme Leader’s religious decree banning nuclear weapons, reiterating that Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
He noted that if concerns persist, Iran could reduce enrichment levels from 60 percent to 20 percent inside the country, but only in exchange for tangible political and economic compensation.
Regional Deterrence and a Clear Warning
Shamkhani warned that any future conflict would not remain confined to Iran’s borders. He said the experience of restraint in past confrontations would not be repeated and that Iran would respond proportionally if threats were launched from bases in the region.
Addressing Israel directly, he stated: “If the United States attacks Iran, our response will certainly target Israel.” From Tehran’s perspective, he added, the U.S. and Israel are not separate entities but part of a single front in regional security calculations.
These remarks come amid renewed regional tensions and growing international attention on the future of Iran’s nuclear file and the broader security landscape in the Middle East.
LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S.-ISRAEL CONFLICT / FEB 02
WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the possible Iran–U.S.–Israel clash here. Negotiations Amid Confrontation: Scenarios Facing Iran–U.S. Talks WANA (Feb 02) – At a time when mutual threats between Iran and the United States had reached their highest level in recent days, new developments suggest that Washington has […]
