June 2025 – The United States and Israel strike Iranian nuclear facilities, intensifying Tehran’s security concerns and setting the stage for later diplomatic and military confrontations [1][8].

Dec 2025 – Anti‑government protests erupt across Iran; the regime’s violent crackdown begins, later resulting in thousands of deaths [2][3].

Jan 2026 – Human‑rights groups report more than 6,300 deaths, including over 5,900 protesters, highlighting the humanitarian fallout of the crackdown [3][6].

Jan 28, 2026 – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tells reporters that Tehran has not requested negotiations and urges Washington to stop threatening war [7].

Jan 28, 2026 – U.S. Air Forces Central Command launches multi‑day air drills in the Middle East, and the carrier strike group USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the region, showcasing rapid‑deployment capability [6].

Jan 28, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts “Time is running out” on Truth Social, warns an “armada” is heading toward Iran and repeats his demand for a “fair and equitable” nuclear deal [6].

Jan 29, 2026 – Trump warns Iran “time is running out” for a nuclear deal, says a massive Armada moves quickly toward Iran and threatens a far‑worse strike if Tehran does not negotiate [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – Trump asserts Iran prefers a deal over war and sets two conditions – halt the nuclear program and stop killing protesters – to avoid U.S. military action [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – Araghchi says Iran will join “fair and just” nuclear talks but will not discuss missiles or accept dictation, insisting negotiations must be threat‑free [5].

Jan 30, 2026 – Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani meets Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss regional issues, underscoring Tehran’s alignment with Moscow [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin offer to facilitate de‑escalation between the United States and Iran [5].

Feb 2, 2026 – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian orders the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States and says Iran will prepare a negotiation framework in the coming days [10].

Feb 2, 2026 – The United States deploys the carrier strike group USS Abraham Lincoln and additional warships to West Asia, signaling heightened military pressure amid the protest crackdown [10][9].

Feb 2, 2026 – Turkey works to convene U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and senior Iranian officials by week’s end, while the EU votes to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization [9].

Feb 3, 2026 – Pezeshkian instructs Foreign Minister Araghchi to pursue talks only in a “threat‑free environment,” and Iran signals readiness to negotiate if the U.S. halts its “tremendous force” buildup, including the carrier Abraham Lincoln [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – Trump tells Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei he should be “very worried” and warns of “very hard” retaliation if Tehran proceeds with a new nuclear site, ahead of the Muscat talks [11].

Feb 4, 2026 – Araghchi confirms that U.S.–Iran nuclear talks will take place on Friday in Muscat, focusing solely on the nuclear program and excluding missiles or human‑rights topics [8].

Feb 5, 2026 – Trump warns the Supreme Leader that he should be “very worried” as both sides prepare for the first formal Muscat talks, and Iran showcases the long‑range Khorramshahr‑4 missile [4].

Feb 5, 2026 – The Muscat meeting is set for Friday (Feb 7) with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and foreign ministers from Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE expected to attend, while the U.S. maintains a substantial air‑and‑naval strike force near Iran [1][11].

Feb 7, 2026 (anticipated) – Nuclear negotiations occur in Muscat between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, marking the first formal talks since the 2025 strikes and the recent protest crackdown [1][8].