France says Iran talks must protect security interests and Iranian people

A major US air base in Germany has moved to round-the-clock operations amid increased military activity, BBC Verify reported on Thursday.

Spangdahlem Air Base, a Nato facility operated by the US Air Force, is now operating 24 hours a day, according to a message sent to a US military aircraft monitored by BBC Verify.

A text communication to a USAF C-17 transport plane said the base “is currently open 24 7 due to tempo,” BBC Verify reported, citing aircraft communications data.

Talks between the United States and Iran set for Friday in Oman will focus mainly on Tehran’s nuclear program but will also include discussions on ballistic missiles and Iran-backed militant groups, officials familiar with the plans told i24NEWS.

The negotiations, which had appeared close to collapse earlier this week, will take place in Oman after last-minute diplomatic efforts by regional states, according to the officials.

Iran had warned it would walk away if Washington pushed to broaden the agenda beyond the nuclear file, but both sides agreed to what one official described as a compromise that would allow talks on missiles and regional activity alongside nuclear issues, with the aim of setting out a framework for a future deal.

The United States and Iran each made concessions to arrange talks in Oman that would focus mainly on Iran’s nuclear program while also covering missiles and militant groups, the New York Times reported.

The newspaper cited three Iranian officials and one Arab official as saying the US agreed the talks would take place in Oman and exclude regional actors, while “Iranian officials agreed to face from their American counterparts.”

Both sides agreed the talks would focus mainly on Iran’s nuclear program and aim to produce a framework for a possible deal, the report said.

An Iranian teachers union said it had published the names of 163 children and teenagers killed during a two-day security crackdown on nationwide protests on January 8 and 9.

The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, a national umbrella union linking teachers’ trade associations across multiple provinces, said it compiled the list using information from families and local sources.

The union’s announcement comes as families of victims and civil society groups continue to seek accountability for deaths and injuries during Iran’s security response to the unrest.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that fears of a further escalation in the conflict with Iran dominated his talks during a visit to the Persian Gulf region.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Merz said concerns about rising tensions with Iran was raised repeatedly in meetings over the past two days.

“In all my conversations yesterday and today, great concern has been expressed about a further escalation in the conflict with Iran,” he said.

Merz called on Iran to end aggression and to move toward negotiations, stressing that Berlin would work to lower tensions.