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Deutsche Welle

February 2026

Why did diplomacy fail between the US and Iran?

But hours later, the US and Israel attacked Iran

These were serious talks with the aim of negotiating a new agreement — or, in Trump's words, a 'better deal,'
It seems to me that there was also a misjudgment regarding the nature and character of this regime,
This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity,
Donald TrumpuS President
Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,
I believe he went to the press to make it clear once again what an opportunity the US would be missing if it attacked Iran,
Fundamentally, the negotiations could never have been successful because the positions were so extremely different,
But such an ideologically driven regime is not prepared to do such a thing,
I don't think these negotiations have been interpreted differently,
Basically, one can assume that both sides attacked at almost the same time," with the Israelis striking just about "two seconds earlier,
The problem is that Iran is not Venezuela. Iran is also not the Iraq of 2003,

Donald Trump's Iran objectives: What can be achieved?

Donald Trumppresident
I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,
A year-and-a-half later, the US is conducting a war whose aim is to destroy this (nuclear) program, again, so I think this, by and large, is a pretext,
If the actual goal is regime change, then I would assume this war will last longer — possibly for several months. And the big question that arises is that of the regime's resilience,
Of course, that is militarily possible. But one must understand that they (Iran) also have many small boats — the so‑called speedboats. So, I think that is not something that can be achieved in a week,
That Trump intends to do it only with air power and then believes that the Iranian population will rise amid a war and act against this brutal regime, I find that rather fantastical to imagine,
Iran's nuclear program was set back at the time by US attacks; some say by a few months, others say by a few years. But I believe it cannot be eliminated. It is also a question of expertise, which means that if Iran has the expertise to build these centrifuges and to enrich [uranium], then that is something you cannot eliminate through air force,
It is a domestic industry, which means that these are not imported ballistic missiles. Iran is in a position — something it has proven since the end of the last war — that it can produce them by itself. It is, of course, possible to destroy the arsenal, but the question is how long it will take and who gets harmed in the process."
During Operation Praying Mantis (1988), the US severely damaged Iran's naval capabilities. If the freedom of navigation — particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical global energy chokepoint — is threatened, the US could justify large-scale naval action. The strategic objective for this would be to guarantee the opening of sea lanes,
Operationally, production facilities, storage sites, and solid-fuel procurement chains are targetable — as recent strikes on missile-related infrastructure have demonstrated,
Donald TrumpuS President
This will be probably your only chance for generations,
Preventing nuclear weaponization is, therefore, a strategic objective, not merely a policy preference,
Sara Kermanianresearcher
The United States could severely damage Iran's active naval forces in the short term, significantly degrading their ability to disrupt maritime traffic."
Given the memory of repression, spontaneous uprising is unlikely without structural weakening of the regime. Statements suggesting opportunity may function more as strategic signaling than firm commitment,

Lebanon on edge as US and Israel launch attack on Iran

Integrationist pressure by Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, and the organization's stake in Lebanon's political future as a national actor, raise the costs of a major, open-ended war,
Mohanad Hage Alidoctoral candidate at the London School of Economics and Political Science
The part of the group that is against disarmament could still attack but if I look at the reality on the ground, the Lebanese Shiite community (the political wing) is more important in the sense that they have more of a say in politics,
Iran would expect Hezbollah to contribute if a US-Iran war scenario materializes, most plausibly by pressuring Israel,
I try not to think about what I should do in case of escalation because I cannot control the situation,
I am afraid that my country will become dragged into a war because Hezbollah is directly linked to Iran, and we would become involved if anything happens,

Houthi plans for a US-Iran war worry a weary Yemen

The Houthis have tested the tolerance of the Americans in the first bout, and they rely on the fact that the US does not want a long engagement in Yemen,
Their most consequential military asset remains their long-range drone and missile arsenal and, despite several rounds of US and Israeli airstrikes, the group appears to retain long-range strike capabilities,
Elham Maneaswiss-American academic
Recent remarks from members of Ansar Allah's political bureau publicly warned the United States against launching military aggression against Iran, stating that such an attack would amount to war and that they are prepared to enter such a war,
Houthi leaders have recently threatened that, in the event of war, they would resume attacks on commercial shipping,
Hussein Yasserqatari footballer
We are living through a real famine in Yemen, and any regional escalation will only deepen the hunger crisis and the level of starvation,

Iran targets US bases amid joint US‑Israel attacks

An additional barrage of missiles was launched toward the State of Israel. The public is requested to continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, the public is requested to stay in protected spaces until official notice,
The 5 Fleet's service centre was subjected to a missile attack. We will provide you with details later,
Confirmed: Network data show Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout with national connectivity at 4% [of] ordinary levels,

Neil Sedaka, singer-songwriter of 1960-70s fame, dies at 86

Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,

Bill Clinton tells lawmakers he 'did nothing wrong' with Epstein

Bill Clintonpresident
I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,
Bill Clintonpresident
We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long,
James Walkinshawrepresentative
President Clinton's presence here today under oath highlights the Donald Trump-sized gaping hole in Chairman Comer's investigation,
Even with 20/20 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me pause,

Is Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict the 'new normal?'

The common Afghan views Pakistan as the primary instigator and a supporter of violence within Afghanistan,
Pakistan wants the Afghan people to understand that the Taliban are harboring terrorists. Therefore, Pakistan will continue targeting military sites associated with the Taliban, TTP, and ISIS-K hideouts,
Maleeha Lodhidiplomat
Having made it clear to the Afghan Taliban that mass casualty attacks from Afghan soil will invite a kinetic response, Pakistan is likely to continue a coercive approach, which has also involved shutting down the border and suspending trade,
After enduring four decades of conflict, with Afghanistan finally achieving a semblance of peace, they perceive Pakistan's airstrikes as an attempt to portray Afghanistan as a haven for militants and to drag the nation back into another cycle of bloodshed,
Zabihullah Mujahidtaliban spokesman
We have repeatedly emphasized a peaceful solution and still want the problem to be resolved through dialogue,
Maleeha Lodhidiplomat
The security threat from terrorist groups, especially TTP but also ISIS-K residing in Afghanistan, has been increasing, which made 2025 the deadliest year in a decade for Pakistan in terms of casualties from such violence,
Maleeha Lodhidiplomat
The surge in cross-border terror attacks from Afghan soil since the Taliban returned to power has been confirmed by successive reports of the UN Security Council's sanctions monitoring team, the latest of which was earlier this month,

Duterte supporters, accusers converge at the Hague for trial

It is essential for victims to have a voice in the proceedings,
For a court that sits far from the communities most affected, meaningful participation is essential to its legitimacy,
That is why it is so important that we are here. To give a face to all those people who were killed. Our loved ones who were killed, us who were left behind, we are not just numbers,
President Duterte did so much for us migrant workers like when he stood up to Middle East countries over mistreatment,
Their presence here counters the disinformation about the drug war. It shows that they cannot be intimidated, but we must ensure their safety,
We're from Davao and we saw all the good things that the president did there. We are here to support him,
Now I'm getting messages saying I will be next, like my brother,

Did Germany's Merz pull off business balancing act in China?

Despite the cordial outcome of Chancellor Merz's business trip to Germany's largest trading partner and primary economic rival, a massive trade deficit and Chinese overcapacity remain key concerns

Nadine GodehardtsWP researcher
This is not just another visit to China, it's a visit in times where the transatlantic relationships are difficult,
Li Qiangpremier
If China does not believe its policies undermine fair competition, significant policy shifts are unlikely simply because Merz paid a visit,
Friedrich Merzchancellor
We have very specific concerns regarding our cooperation, which we want to improve and make fair,
In that regard, the visit was successful. It was critical that no mistakes were made,
This example alone shows that it is worthwhile to undertake such trips, also in order to discuss specific topics in concrete terms,
It is about finding a balance and clearly defining where our problems lie — where German and European interests are,
We must be able to rely upon agreed rules,