Abdollahian Points to ‘Initiatives’ to Resume Nuclear Negotiations

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Al-Busaidi received his Iranian counterpart and his accompanying delegation, in Muscat on Wednesday. (Oman News)
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Al-Busaidi received his Iranian counterpart and his accompanying delegation, in Muscat on Wednesday. (Oman News)
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Abdollahian Points to ‘Initiatives’ to Resume Nuclear Negotiations

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Al-Busaidi received his Iranian counterpart and his accompanying delegation, in Muscat on Wednesday. (Oman News)
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Al-Busaidi received his Iranian counterpart and his accompanying delegation, in Muscat on Wednesday. (Oman News)

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Hossein Abdollahian announced on Wednesday that his country had heard ideas regarding negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal on Iran, expressing his gratitude for the constructive role of the Sultan of Oman and its sincere intentions in this regard.
 
On the second day of his visit to Oman, which he concluded on Wednesday before heading to Beirut, Abdollahian said that Muscat “always plays a constructive role” in the nuclear talks, adding: “We have held the necessary consultations in this context.”
 
Later on Wednesday, the Omani News Agency quoted Abdollahian as saying that the Sultanate has “serious initiatives” regarding the Iranian nuclear program that “will contribute” to the revival of negotiations.
 
Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Omani and Iranian foreign ministers discussed a number of regional and international issues, and stressed the continuation of “consultation and support for all efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region and encouraging dialogue and peaceful ways to resolve differences.”
 
The Iranian minister pointed to the role of Oman in facilitating the Iranian-Saudi talks and praised its efforts in mediating regional dialogues.

He also welcomed the constructive efforts made by Oman with regard to Yemen, expressing hope that those would lead to the consolidation of peace in the region.
 
Abdollahian continued: “The Islamic Republic of Iran, within the framework of its neighborhood policy and its respect for the principle of good neighborliness, welcomes the restoration of relations with Saudi Arabia and considers this matter to serve the interests of the region.”
 
The two sides also discussed the security developments in the region.

“We have made great progress in the field of energy and cooperation… as well as in trade, economy and investment. Very good matters have happened, and we hope that we will be able to complete them during the upcoming visit of the Sultan of Oman to Tehran,” the Iranian minister said.
 
Iranian sources expect Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who received an invitation from the Iranian president, to visit Tehran in May. In June 2022, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi paid a one-day visit to Muscat.



France Accuses Iran of ‘Repression’ in Sentence for Nobel Laureate

People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
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France Accuses Iran of ‘Repression’ in Sentence for Nobel Laureate

People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)

France accused Iran on Monday of "repression and intimidation" after a court handed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi a new six-year prison sentence on charges of harming national security.

Mohammadi, sentenced Saturday, was also handed a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence for "propaganda" against Iran's system, according to her foundation.

"With this sentence, the Iranian regime has, once again, chosen repression and intimidation," the French foreign ministry said in a statement, describing the 53-year-old as a "tireless defender" of human rights.

Paris is calling for the release of the activist, who was arrested before protests erupted nationwide in December after speaking out against the government at a funeral ceremony.

The movement peaked in January as authorities launched a crackdown that activists say has left thousands dead.

Over the past quarter-century, Mohammadi has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran's use of capital punishment and the mandatory dress code for women.

Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade behind bars and has not seen her twin children, who live in Paris, since 2015.

Iranian authorities have arrested more than 50,000 people as part of their crackdown on protests, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).


Iran's Supreme Leader Urges Iranians to Show 'Resolve' against Foreign Pressure

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
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Iran's Supreme Leader Urges Iranians to Show 'Resolve' against Foreign Pressure

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Monday called on his compatriots to show "resolve" ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution this week.

Since the revolution, "foreign powers have always sought to restore the previous situation", Ali Khamenei said, referring to the period when Iran was under the rule of shah Reza Pahlavi and dependent on the United States, AFP reported.

"National power is less about missiles and aircraft and more about the will and steadfastness of the people," the leader said, adding: "Show it again and frustrate the enemy."


UK PM's Communications Director Quits

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
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UK PM's Communications Director Quits

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's director of communications Tim Allan resigned on Monday, a day after Starmer's top aide Morgan McSweeney quit over his role in backing Peter Mandelson over his known links to Jeffrey Epstein.

The loss of two senior aides ⁠in quick succession comes as Starmer tries to draw a line under the crisis in his government resulting from his appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the ⁠US.

"I have decided to stand down to allow a new No10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success," Allan said in a statement on Monday.

Allan served as an adviser to Tony Blair from ⁠1992 to 1998 and went on to found and lead one of the country’s foremost public affairs consultancies in 2001. In September 2025, he was appointed executive director of communications at Downing Street.