Global News Podcast – Iran Claims Progress in US Nuclear Talks

Host: Charlotte Gallagher (BBC World Service)
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers a range of major global news stories, with a primary focus on purported progress in the Iran-US nuclear negotiations held in Geneva. It provides updates and expert insight on perspectives from both sides, the broader geopolitical backdrop, and the risks of escalation. Additional coverage includes turmoil in Peruvian politics, military tensions in northern Ethiopia, a landmark corporate settlement for the weed killer Roundup, fears over asteroid impacts, developments in international sport regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes, and a major criminal case in Sweden.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Iran-US Nuclear Talks: Hopes, Tensions, and Red Lines

Segment: [01:05–06:52]

• Atmosphere of the Talks:
  • Charlotte Gallagher introduces the apparent easing of war fears after both sides in the Iran-US nuclear talks express some positivity, although the perception in Washington remains pessimistic.
  • The talks occurred against a backdrop of heightened military activity, especially on the US side, with more warships being moved into the region.
• US Perspective:
  • Quoting US Vice President J.D. Vance:

    “They agreed to meet afterwards. But in other ways it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”
    [02:21, J.D. Vance]

  • Vance emphasizes continued US engagement but holds out the possibility that diplomacy may reach a natural end if no agreement is made.
• Iranian Perspective:
  • Kazzrinaji from BBC Persian describes the Iranian foreign minister as sounding “positive” about the talks' atmosphere, but emphasizing that “bringing them together takes a lot of work” and a deal is not imminent.

    “The Iranian foreign minister said what is not on the table is surrender.”
    [03:18, Kazzrinaji]

  • Iran reiterates its willingness to negotiate but underlines it will not capitulate.
• Tehran’s Compromises and Warnings:
  • Chief International Correspondent Lise Doucet reports from Tehran:
    • Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister acknowledged the need for compromise, specifically to achieve sanctions relief.
    • While both sides “prefer a deal,” both are visibly preparing for possible conflict:

      “Both sides are saying they prefer a deal. They hope they can do it through diplomacy. But both sides as well are saying they’re preparing for war.”
      [05:35, Lise Doucet]

    • Iranian naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and escalating rhetoric from President Trump reinforce the sense of brinkmanship.

Memorable Quote:

“It is a moment of great unpredictability and also of great peril.”
[06:41, Lise Doucet]

2. The Ukraine Conflict: Stalemate and Sacrifice

Segment: [06:52–10:45]

• US-Russia-Ukraine Talks:
  • While nuclear negotiations ended, the US also participates in Ukraine-related talks in Geneva, with unresolved issues regarding Russian demands and recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy.
• Ukrainian Military Perspective:
  • Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko of the National Guard of Ukraine (interviewed by Jeremy Bowen) defines victory as the cessation of suffering:

    “For me personally, it means stopping the killing of our soldiers and the civilian population of Ukraine. In military terms, it means taking back our territories.”
    [07:51, Pivnenko]

  • Pivnenko is resolute that Ukrainian forces and people will not simply surrender territory for a deal.

    “No one will give up territories. If there is an order to withdraw, then we will withdraw. But will the population of our country accept that? We have lost too many of our people and too much territory to simply stop and just give away land.”
    [08:27, Pivnenko]

  • Admits Russian advances in drone warfare and the high cost for both sides, noting:

    “The price Russia is paying for this war is very high... For them... after the war it will be much harder because they will have to explain to their people what this war was for and what the losses were.”
    [09:33, Pivnenko]

  • Rejects the idea that a ceasefire equates to territorial concession.

    “The main question for us is at what price a ceasefire. I think everyone would agree to that. But loss of territory, we will not give anything away. Every Ukrainian you ask will tell you the same. No one will give anything away just like that.”
    [10:11, Pivnenko]

3. Political Chaos in Peru

Segment: [10:45–14:35]

• Removal of Peru’s Interim President:
  • Jose Harry ousted by Congress over corruption, continuing a pattern of political instability—seven presidents removed in recent years.
• Chifa-gate Scandal:
  • Details include allegations of corruption involving meetings in Chinese restaurants and improper appointments.
• Public Sentiment and Institutional Instability:
  • Explained by expert Luis Fajardo:
    • Legislative ease in president removal and repeated disappointment with political outsiders who promise reform but fail to deliver.

    • “People have really lost trust in a lot of Peruvian political institutions.”
      [13:25, Luis Fajardo]

  • New interim president to be selected pending elections in April.

4. Renewed Fears of War in Northern Ethiopia

Segment: [14:35–17:53]

• Potential for Regional Conflict:
  • Renewed hostilities feared between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with Tigray region as a focal point.
• Sources of Tension:
  • Goetl Trombol (Oslo New University College) highlights breakdown of relations since the 2022 peace agreement:
    • Eritrea accused by Ethiopia of supporting insurgencies and encroaching on territory, portrayed as an “enemy hostile state.”

    • “We have seen over the last year and a half that Ethiopia has been ticking off all the boxes to portray Eritrea as an enemy hostile state due to their destabilizing activity and also encroachment on Ethiopian territory.”
      [16:06, Trombol]

  • Tigrayan displacement (approx. 1 million people) and unresolved territorial control persist since the 2022 Pretoria agreement.

5. Bayer’s $10 Billion Roundup Settlement

Segment: [20:19–21:13]

• Corporate Settlement:
  • Bayer offers to pay over $10bn to resolve lawsuits linked to Roundup weedkiller and cancer.
• Scope:
  • Payout available to those diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma tied to Roundup prior to February 17, 2026.
• Context:
  • Despite lawsuits, regulators continue to deem glyphosate (the active ingredient) as safe.

6. Asteroid Threats and Planetary Defense

Segment: [21:13–23:41]

• NASA’s Warning:
  • No current protection against city-destroying asteroids; tens of thousands remain undiscovered.
• Detection Efforts:

  • Dr. Hannah Wakeford highlights upcoming surveys, like the Vera Rubin Observatory, and past missions like DART for deflection experiments.

    “What we always want for this is just pre warning.”
    [23:41, Wakeford]

7. Russian and Belarusian Athletes Readmitted to the Paralympics

Segment: [23:41–26:07]

• Policy Shift:
  • International Paralympic Committee allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their flags at the next Winter Paralympics, overturning a four-year ban.
• Reaction and Implications:

  • 6 Russian and 4 Belarusian athletes invited; expected to draw scrutiny and possible backlash.

    “It does feel as if we are moving towards Russia and Belarus perhaps being reinstated.”
    [24:54, Katie Forkingham]

8. Shocking Sex Trafficking Case in Sweden

Segment: [26:07–27:59]

• Details of the Case:
  • Man in his 60s accused of selling his wife for sex to over 100 men; wife says exploitation lasted more than three years.
• Legal and Social Response:
  • Prosecutor Ida Annestet:

    “He has exploited this woman financially and it should be considered an aggravated crime on the basis of the large scale of it, the big financial gains he’s made, and because he’s used this woman in a particularly careless way.”
    [26:57, Annestet]

  • Equality Minister Nina Larsson:

    “These are shocking and horrific accounts. It’s a form of slavery. Men should not be buying women’s bodies.”
    [27:46, Larsson]

• Legal Context:
  • Swedish law criminalizes the buyer and facilitator, not the seller (victim). The accused husband faces up to 10 years if convicted.

9. Tribute to Songwriter Billy Steinberg

Segment: [28:36–30:10]

• Renowned lyricist behind hits like “Like a Virgin”, “True Colors”, “So Emotional”, and others has died at 75.
• Remembered as a “visionary lyricist who transformed deeply personal reflections into anthems in which millions found themselves.”
  [30:05, Family statement]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iran’s Position:

  “The Iranian foreign minister said what is not on the table is surrender.”
  [03:48, Kazzrinaji]

• On Ukraine’s Resolve:

  “No one will give anything away just like that.”
  [10:11, Pivnenko]

• On Swedish Trafficking Case:

  “It’s a form of slavery. Men should not be buying women’s bodies.”
  [27:46, Nina Larsson]

• On the Precariousness of Iran Talks:

  “It is a moment of great unpredictability and also of great peril.”
  [06:41, Lise Doucet]

Timeline / Timestamps for Major Segments

• Iran-US Nuclear Talks: 01:05–06:52
• Ukraine Conflict Interview: 06:52–10:45
• Peru Political Crisis: 10:45–14:35
• Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions: 14:35–17:53
• Bayer Roundup Settlement: 20:19–21:13
• Asteroid Defense: 21:13–23:41
• Russian/Belarusian Athletes: 23:41–26:07
• Swedish Sex Trafficking Case: 26:07–27:59
• Billy Steinberg Tribute: 28:36–30:10

Conclusion

This densely packed episode delivers up-to-the-minute insights on high-stakes diplomacy, military and political crises, corporate settlements, scientific anxieties, evolving international sports policies, and a scandalous criminal case, rounded off with a tribute to a musical legend. The tone remains measured and incisive, reflecting the BBC’s commitment to detailed, balanced journalism.