Fresh protests in Iran just before talks: US hides behind civilians as Trump's army fears Tehran?

Fresh protests broke out in several major Iranian cities on February 15, with reports describing a new wave of anti-regime dissent after weeks of relative calm on the streets. Residents of the capital Tehran were heard chanting slogans directly targeting the country’s clerical leadership, venting anger at Iran’s rulers from the safety of their own neighborhoods. The chants came just a day after Iranians abroad staged large rallies across Europe and North America, creating a sense of coordinated pressure between the diaspora and those inside the country. Meanwhile, fears of a possible U.S.-Israel war with Iran have intensified amid a lack of major progress in ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Geneva on February 15 for a second round of indirect talks with the United States focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional activities. The first round of talks between Iran and the U.S. was held on February 6 in Oman, taking place against the backdrop of significant military deployments on both sides. According to U.S. media reports, President Donald Trump has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would support Israeli strikes on Iran if no agreement is reached in these negotiations.