• Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister emphasizes readiness to reach a deal with the US.
• Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claims an unprecedented agreement is possible with prioritized diplomacy.
• The US has increased military presence in the region amid ongoing tensions.
• Protests against the Iranian government occur concurrently with talks, highlighting domestic unrest.
• Both nations prepare for the third round of negotiations in Geneva.

Iran is prepared to take all necessary steps to reach a deal with the United States, as Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated ahead of scheduled talks on February 24 in Geneva. The US delegation, comprising envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will meet with Iranian officials to resume negotiations that have taken place intermittently since earlier this month. Tensions remain high, particularly following a recent U.S. military buildup in the region, prompting Iran to issue warnings regarding its defense capabilities, stating that any attack would be met with a firm response, according to Reuters.

Speaking on the eve of the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed optimism that a deal to avoid military confrontation is "within reach," provided that diplomacy is prioritized. He emphasized the opportunity to forge an unprecedented agreement that meets mutual interests. This sentiment echoes assessments from various sources highlighting the precarious position Iran finds itself in, as the government faces both international and domestic pressures, including ongoing protests against its leadership amidst economic crises, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

Despite the prospects of agreement, the backdrop of military escalation is troubling, with the United States increasing its naval presence in the region, including the deployment of aircraft carriers to the Arabian Sea and Crete. This military buildup accompanies threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential strikes on Iran should no deal be reached, intensifying the stakes of the upcoming negotiations, according to Channel News Asia.

Amid these tensions, domestic unrest has been recorded, with university students in Iran expressing frustration during campus protests. These protests ignite concerns about the government's stability as citizens voice their opposition to leadership amid worsening economic conditions. Araghchi assured that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons but emphasized the need for the country to benefit from peaceful nuclear technology, as negotiations continue to unfold, according to Reuters, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.