By The Pak Global Pakistan:
Tensions remain high as Iran and the United States prepare for a second round of mediated talks in Geneva next week, with Iran’s nuclear and missile programs at the center of the dispute. The U.S. insists Iran halt all nuclear enrichment and curb missile capabilities, demands Iran rejects as threats to its sovereignty. President Donald Trump, speaking from the White House, announced a second aircraft carrier deployment to the region and suggested regime change in Iran would be “the best thing that could happen.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at a regional investment conference, thanked mediators from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia for helping prevent military escalation. He warned that war would have broad repercussions across the Middle East and stressed that Iran does not need external “custodians” to solve its internal issues. Oman, which hosted the initial Muscat talks, continues to mediate the process.
Meanwhile, the global Iranian diaspora has mobilized in large protests across major cities including Munich, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney, and Melbourne. These demonstrations represent some of the largest since the 2022–2023 uprisings sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah, called for a “global day of action” aimed at reclaiming Iran from the Islamic Republic. Toronto alone saw over 150,000 participants in recent rallies.
Families of victims killed during the protests continue to hold mourning ceremonies, such as the 40th-day “chehelom,” honoring individuals like medical student Ayda Heydari and Zahra “Raha” Behloulipour, both fatally shot during separate events. Despite state repression, relatives publicly express grief and defiance.
Concerns remain over the treatment of detainees, with some reformist politicians and students released but thousands still imprisoned. Human rights groups like Amnesty International have condemned the sentencing of 18-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi to public execution. UN special rapporteur Mai Sato warns that mass killings and executions persist amid heavy censorship and restricted internet access.
As the Geneva talks approach, the international community faces the challenge of balancing diplomatic efforts with urgent calls for justice, accountability, and protection for Iranians both inside the country and in the diaspora.