LATEST UPDATES ON IRAN-U.S.-ISRAEL CONFLICT / FEB 04
WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the possible Iran–U.S.–Israel clash here.
IRGC Drone Data Successfully Transmitted to Command Center
WANA (Feb 04) – An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone successfully transmitted surveillance images to its control center before losing communication, according to an informed source.
Speaking to an Iranian media outlet, the source addressed a report by a British media organization claiming that a U.S. aircraft had targeted an Iranian drone over the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The source said the Shahed-129 drone was carrying out its routine and lawful mission in international waters, conducting identification, surveillance, and imaging operations, which he described as a normal and legal activity…
IRGC Drone Data Successfully Transmitted to Command Center
WANA (Feb 04) – An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone successfully transmitted surveillance images to its control center before losing communication, according to an informed source. Speaking to an Iranian media outlet, the source addressed a report by a British media organization claiming that a U.S. aircraft had targeted an Iranian drone over […]
Iran–U.S. Talks Likely to Shift to Oman as Both Sides Prepare for Late-Week Negotiations
A book with a cover design of the Iran-US negotiations is seen in Tehran, Iran, April 26, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
WANA (Feb 04) – As diplomatic activity intensifies around Tehran–Washington relations, both the White House and U.S. media outlets say a new round of talks between Iran and the United States is expected to take place later this week, with the venue and format of the negotiations drawing growing attention.
According to Axios, citing two informed sources, Iran has recently requested changes to the planned talks, including moving the venue from Istanbul to Oman. The report claims Washington has agreed to the proposal. Several countries, including Turkey and Oman, had previously expressed readiness to host the negotiations.
Axios also reported that Iran is seeking to revise the format of the talks, preferring bilateral negotiations solely with the United States rather than a multilateral setting involving Arab and Muslim countries as observers. According to the sources cited, Tehran aims to confine the discussions to the nuclear file and exclude issues related to missiles and regional groups.
A regional Arab source told Axios that the talks are expected to be held in Oman on Friday and that the Trump administration has agreed to Iran’s request, although discussions are still ongoing regarding the possible involvement of other regional actors.
While the White House has not commented directly on the Axios report, it has confirmed that the negotiations remain on schedule. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that the talks with Iran “are still planned and will take place later this week.” She noted that she had just spoken with Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, and emphasized that the timeline remains unchanged.
Leavitt said President Trump prefers to pursue diplomacy first, but stressed that progress depends on the willingness of both sides. “Diplomacy requires a willing and ready partner, and that is exactly what Steve Witkoff is determined to assess and engage on,” she said.
In parallel, Leavitt claimed in an interview with Fox News that the United States had intercepted and downed an Iranian drone, saying the operation was carried out by U.S. Central Command, without providing further details.
On the Iranian side, officials have urged caution against media speculation over the talks. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said locations including Turkey and Oman are under consideration, warning that the time and place of the negotiations should not become “fodder for media games.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also outlined Tehran’s position in a post on X, saying he had instructed the foreign minister to prepare the ground for “fair and just negotiations” within the framework of Iran’s national interests, provided there is a suitable atmosphere free of threats and unrealistic expectations. He said the directive came in response to requests from friendly regional governments to reply to the U.S. president’s proposal for talks.
Steve Witkoff is expected to lead the U.S. delegation, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to head the Iranian team. Araghchi has held recent consultations with officials from Oman, Turkey, and Qatar, signaling intensified regional diplomacy ahead of the talks.
Meanwhile, Witkoff has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. Israeli officials said the meeting focused on Iran and included senior military and intelligence figures, underscoring Tel Aviv’s close attention to the prospect of renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Erdogan Says Turkey Is Ready to Mediate Between Tehran and Washington
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is prepared to play a mediating role in potential talks between Iran and the United States, stressing Ankara’s opposition to any new conflict in the region.
Speaking on Tuesday evening in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Saudi Arabia, Erdogan said Turkey supports diplomatic solutions to regional disputes and is willing to help reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington.
“We are firmly opposed to a new war in the region and believe problems should be resolved through dialogue and common sense,” Erdogan said, adding that Turkey is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and the United States if conditions allow.
Trump Repeats Claim of Talks With Iran
WANA (Feb 04) – The President of the United States has once again claimed that negotiations between Washington and Tehran are taking place, repeating an assertion he has made several times before without providing concrete details.
Donald Trump told reporters early Wednesday morning at the White House that “we are currently negotiating with Iran.” He did not clarify the framework, level, or agenda of the alleged talks, saying only that “we’ll see what happens.”
According to Al Jazeera, Trump said discussions with Iran are underway and claimed, “Iran wants to negotiate, and that is what is happening right now.”
Asked about the location of the talks, the U.S. president declined to offer specifics, saying the discussions are happening in “several different locations” and therefore cannot be made public.
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 […]
