The Greek Courier
Source: The Independent, The Guardian, Agence France-Presse
Zelensky said he was ‘counting’ on talks with the US and Russia next week
President Zelensky mentioned that he is “counting” on trilateral talks with the US and Russia, which were initially scheduled for Sunday but may be postponed until next week due to Donald Trump focusing on the “situation with Iran.” Donald Trump announced that Iran is "talking to" the United States, indicating that discussions may lead to a deal aimed at avoiding military strikes.
In his nightly video address on Saturday, the Ukrainian President stated that he is awaiting more information from the US, which is facilitating the negotiations, regarding the time and place for the next round of talks. He had previously indicated that the meeting on Sunday might be delayed because of the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
"We are in constant communication with the American side and are expecting specific details from them regarding further meetings,” Zelensky said. “We are counting on meetings next week and are preparing for them."
The talks between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington were set to take place in the UAE following the first round of negotiations that occurred last weekend. On Saturday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff held “productive and constructive” discussions with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida. Witkoff noted that the territorial issue of Donbas remains central to making progress in the negotiations, as Kyiv continues to reject Moscow’s demand to relinquish the region.
Trump Claims Iran is ‘Negotiating’ with US, Suggesting Potential Deal to Avert Military Action
Source: The Guardian, Agence France-Presse
Sat 31 Jan 2026
Donald Trump announced that Iran is "talking to" the United States, indicating that discussions may lead to a deal aimed at avoiding military strikes.
“Iran is negotiating with us; we’ll see if something can be worked out; otherwise, we’ll see what unfolds. We have a significant naval presence approaching,” he stated in an interview with Fox News.
He further mentioned that US allies in the region are not being informed about any potential strike plans, citing security concerns. Trump has hinted at military intervention in Iran due to a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.
“We can’t disclose the plan. If I shared it with them, it would be almost as damaging as revealing it to you—it could even be worse,” he added.
As tensions rise, the US has dispatched a naval battle group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the region following Trump's warnings about intervening in response to the protests.
On the same day, the Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met with Iranian officials in an effort to “de-escalate regional tensions,” according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.
Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, also expressed support for any initiatives aimed at reducing regional tensions.
The deployment of the US naval fleet has heightened fears of a direct confrontation with Iran, especially as Tehran warned it would retaliate with missile strikes against US forces, allies, and interests in the region if attacked.
However, Trump expressed confidence that Iran would prefer to reach an agreement regarding its nuclear and missile programs instead of facing military action. Meanwhile, Tehran has maintained its readiness for discussions on nuclear matters, provided they do not touch on its missile capabilities.
“Despite the media frenzy, we are making progress in structuring negotiations,” Larijani stated. This follows reports that he had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the situation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian remarked that a larger conflict would not benefit either Iran or the United States, stating, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought war; it is firm in its belief that war would not serve the interests of Iran, the US, or the region,” during a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.
Iran's military chief, Amir Hatami, issued a stern warning to the US and Israel, highlighting that Iranian forces are in a state of "full defensive and military readiness." He cautioned, “If the enemy makes a misstep, it will jeopardize its own security, the region's stability, and that of the Zionist regime,” as reported by the official news agency IRNA.
In light of the escalating tensions, Iranian officials rushed to clarify that multiple incidents over the weekend, including an explosion in Bandar Abbas, were unrelated to any military attack or sabotage; they attributed it to a gas leak.
The US Central Command announced that the Revolutionary Guards will conduct a “two-day live-fire naval exercise” in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies. They also cautioned Iran against any unsafe actions near US forces.
This statement sparked criticism from Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who remarked that the US military is attempting to dictate how Iran's powerful armed forces conduct exercises in their own territory.
The US designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization in 2019, a move echoed by the European Union recently, leading to strong reactions from Tehran.
Following US strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites in June during a brief military engagement between Israel and Iran, protests erupted across Iran against the rising cost of living, escalating into a wider anti-government movement. Officials claim the death toll from the protests stands at 3,117, while human rights organizations report significantly higher figures, including over 6,500 deaths.
In response to the aftermath, President Pezeshkian urged the government to listen to public concerns and prioritize serving the people.
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