Will US sanctions bring Iran to heel in nuclear talks?

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

The US and Iran are set to hold indirect talks in Geneva today, with little indication of potential compromise as the United States continues its economic sanctions and ramps up its military presence in the Middle East while Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises. We hear what may be on the table as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Israel plans to afford Hamas a 60-day period to disarm, and if it does not, the Israeli military will go back to war in the Gaza Strip, according to Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs on Monday. How does this align with the inaugural session of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, which is set for this Thursday? We learn which countries may be joining and what is hoped to be accomplished.

And finally, last Thursday, US President Donald Trump said that President Isaac Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is standing trial for alleged fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Why were these remarks made out of the blue -- and do they actually help the Prime Minister?

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Trump ally to ToI: Ayatollah staying in power would be ‘strategic victory for Iran’

Top Netanyahu aide: Hamas will have 60 days to disarm or IDF will ‘complete’ mission

Indonesia says 8,000 troops ready to deploy to Gaza by June as Trump touts progress

Sa’ar to represent Israel at inaugural Board of Peace meeting, after PM declines to attend

Trump says Herzog should be ‘ashamed of himself’ for not pardoning Netanyahu

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.

IMAGE: A huge banner showing hands firmly holding Iranian national flags as a sign of patriotism, in Tehran, Iran, January 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

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