27 February 2026
Ahead of the third round of talks taking place between representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States on 26 February, Pugwash sent the Presidents of each country a private letter urging restraint and emphasizing that the long-term resolution of all legitimate security concerns can best be achieved through diplomacy.
The letters to Presidents Trump and Pezeshkian from Pugwash President Hussain Al-Shahristani and Secretary General Karen Hallberg were conveyed simultaneously through private channels. They stressed that a “negotiated resolution addressing concerns related to Iran’s nuclear program remains both technically attainable and politically viable. Carefully calibrated, mutually agreed limitations — supported by rigorous monitoring and comprehensive verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — can strengthen confidence, reduce proliferation risks, and reinforce the integrity of the global non-proliferation framework.”
The Pugwash Leadership remains deeply concerned by the military build up in and around the Persian Gulf, which carries a sharp risk of escalation and a regional conflict that would have destabilizing and protracted consequences.
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