Morning Briefing: Feb. 25, 2026

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including US President Donald Trump saying he prefers a diplomatic solution with Iran, UN General Assembly adopting resolution calling for ceasefire as Ukraine war enters 4th year, and Iran saying it will resume nuclear talks with US for ‘fair and equitable’ deal in ‘shortest possible time.’

TOP STORIES

• Trump says his 'preference' is to solve the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that while he prefers a diplomatic solution with Iran, he will not allow Tehran to acquire a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.

Speaking during his 2026 State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, Trump underscored that negotiations are ongoing.

"We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words: 'We will never have a nuclear weapon.'”

"My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen," he said.

• UN General Assembly adopts resolution calling for ceasefire as Ukraine war enters 4th year

The UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution Tuesday that urges a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with Russia voting against and the US abstaining.

The resolution passed 107-12, with 51 abstentions.

Presented by Ukraine and co-sponsored by 46 countries, the resolution highlighted the war's regional and global repercussions, expressing "grave concern" about continued attacks by Russia on "civilians, civilian objects, and critical energy infrastructure," worsening the humanitarian situation.

It reaffirmed the assembly's strong commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, including territorial waters.

• Iran says it will resume nuclear talks with US for ‘fair and equitable’ deal in ‘shortest possible time’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Tehran will resume talks with the United States in Geneva “with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal in the shortest possible time.”

In a series of posts on the US social media company X, Araghchi said the new round of talks will be “pillared on the understandings forged in the previous (two) rounds” in Muscat and Geneva, respectively.

Tehran and Washington are set to hold a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations under Omani mediation in the Swiss capital on Thursday.

Following the last round of talks, both sides issued a positive assessment, saying they had agreed on “guiding principles” which the Iranian side hoped could pave the way toward a potential agreement.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said the war in Ukraine continues to weigh heavily on the international community, calling it a moral failure four years after it began.
  
  
• At least 12 US F-22 fighter jets landed at an Israeli air base on Tuesday amid escalating tensions with Iran, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported.
  
  
• A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Balikesir province early Wednesday, killing the pilot, the National Defense Ministry said.
  
  
• Türkiye sees digital sovereignty in the defense sector as an inseparable part of its national security, the nation’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Tuesday, adding: "Türkiye now designs its own technology, produces its own software, and exports its products to the entire world."
  
  
• China on Tuesday expressed hope that all parties will "grasp" opportunities for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, which entered its fifth year.
  
  
• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence in Canberra over a "security incident" on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
  
  
• A fire broke out Tuesday at Cape Town International Airport and was later extinguished, but not before affecting operations at one of the country’s busiest airports and a tourism hub.
  
  
• South Korea launched a new special counsel Wednesday to investigate remaining suspicions surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law bid in 2024, according to a local media report.
  
  
• A tense exchange erupted between US President Donald Trump and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Tuesday as the president criticized Democratic lawmakers over immigration policy and accused them of failing to support border enforcement.
  
  
• Türkiye on Tuesday rejected media reports claiming that it is preparing to invade Iranian territory if the US launches an attack on Iran.
  
  
• Iraq’s Transport Ministry announced Wednesday that Baghdad International Airport has been temporarily closed due to a technical fault.
  
  
• The number of people in Somalia facing acute food insecurity is expected to nearly double from a year earlier as hunger levels rise due to a worsening drought, conflict and soaring food prices, said a report released Tuesday.
  
  
• UN Security Council members expressed deep concern Tuesday over the ongoing violence in Sudan, particularly in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, and called on all parties to immediately halt the fighting.
  
  
• Russia's UN envoy alleged Tuesday that the UK and France are planning to deliver nuclear weapons or a so-called "dirty bomb" to Ukraine, while accusing European countries of prolonging the war instead of pursuing peace.
  
  
• Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian homes and vehicles late Tuesday in the village of Susya, south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank as part of their ongoing attacks during the month of Ramadan.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• UK announces 'biggest' sanctions package against Russia

The UK announced nearly 300 new sanctions on Tuesday with its "biggest" sanctions package, targeting Russia's critical revenue streams, including its energy sector, and military suppliers.

A statement from the Foreign Office said the sanctions, announced on the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine War, represent the largest package of sanctions against Russia in this period.

• Trump's new global US tariffs come into effect

The Trump administration's new global tariff policy came into effect as of Tuesday, introducing an additional 10% tax on non-exempt imported goods, but so far holding off on a 15% hike announced only on social media, which is reportedly not yet official.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that the 10% surcharge will initially apply to all imports unless specific exemptions are granted.