Iran Seeks De-escalation with Europe Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration

People walk while shopping in a street in Tehran, Iran, 13 January 2025. Iranians are facing an economic crisis that, due to recent tension between Iran, Israel, and the US, has extended. (EPA)
People walk while shopping in a street in Tehran, Iran, 13 January 2025. Iranians are facing an economic crisis that, due to recent tension between Iran, Israel, and the US, has extended. (EPA)
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Iran Seeks De-escalation with Europe Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration

People walk while shopping in a street in Tehran, Iran, 13 January 2025. Iranians are facing an economic crisis that, due to recent tension between Iran, Israel, and the US, has extended. (EPA)
People walk while shopping in a street in Tehran, Iran, 13 January 2025. Iranians are facing an economic crisis that, due to recent tension between Iran, Israel, and the US, has extended. (EPA)

Iran has released European detainees in an apparent bid to reduce tensions with European powers. This move coincides with the start of a second round of closed-door talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

The timing comes just days before US President Donald Trump, known for his “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, was set to begin his second term.

European diplomats from France, Germany, and the UK met with their Iranian counterparts to address disputes and attempt to break the deadlock in nuclear negotiations. These talks follow a secret meeting two months ago in Geneva, which ended without progress.

Western nations remain alarmed by Iran’s nuclear advancements. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Iran is the only country enriching uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels, far beyond what is needed for civilian purposes.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, claiming its program is peaceful. However, Western powers argue there is no legitimate reason for enrichment at such high levels unless it aims to produce nuclear weapons.

With negotiations stalling, both sides face growing pressure to find a diplomatic solution and avoid further escalation.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry clarified that the ongoing discussions are “consultations,” not formal negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the talks, expected to last several days, will address a wide range of issues. He added that Iran’s main goal is to lift sanctions, while also listening to concerns raised by other parties.

France’s Foreign Ministry called the meeting a sign of European commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program, which remains a major concern due to its rapid progress.

The talks come as Iran faces growing regional challenges, including Israeli strikes on its allies Hamas and Hezbollah, and the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a key partner in the region.

Iran hopes these efforts will help ease tensions and improve its standing with Europe as diplomatic pressure mounts.



Vatican Cancels Pope’s Weekend Engagements as He Battles ‘Complex’ Infection 

Pedestrians walk past the statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized for tests and treatment for an infection in Rome, on February 18, 2025. (AFP)
Pedestrians walk past the statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized for tests and treatment for an infection in Rome, on February 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Vatican Cancels Pope’s Weekend Engagements as He Battles ‘Complex’ Infection 

Pedestrians walk past the statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized for tests and treatment for an infection in Rome, on February 18, 2025. (AFP)
Pedestrians walk past the statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized for tests and treatment for an infection in Rome, on February 18, 2025. (AFP)

Pope Francis, who began his fifth day in hospital on Tuesday for what doctors have described as a "complex" respiratory infection, will not take part in this weekend's Holy Year events, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday.

A planned public papal audience set for Saturday had been cancelled "due to the health condition of the Holy Father", the Vatican said in a brief statement.

A papal mass scheduled for Sunday will still take place, but will be led instead by a senior Vatican official, it added.

The Vatican said on Monday that doctors had changed the pope's drug therapy for the second time during his hospital stay to tackle a "complex clinical situation". They described it as a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract".

Doctors say polymicrobial diseases can be caused by a mix of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Francis, who has been pontiff since 2013, has had influenza and other health problems several times over the past two years. As a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed, and in recent times has been prone to lung infections.