President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. (Source: AP Photo)US-Iran Tensions Highlights: US President Donald Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, DC on Thursday, with discussions centered on the next phase of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking to reporters, Trump also said the world would know within “probably next 10 days” whether a potential agreement between the United States and Iran could be reached. “So now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal, you’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days,” he stated.
US-Iran Tensions Today News Live Updates: Follow here
Vance says Iran ignoring Trump’s ‘red lines’: Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has said that Iranians are yet to acknowledge and “work through” President Donald Trump’s “red lines”. “In some ways, it went well. They agreed to meet afterwards,” Vance told Fox News. “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. He said that one of Trump’s “red lines” states that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. “There are a number of things that make it clear that they are interested in acquiring nuclear weapons,” Vance said. “The president of the United States is very much trying to find a solution here, whether it’s through diplomatic options or through another option, that means the Iranians cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Iran temporarily closes the Strait of Hormuz: Iran, on Tuesday (Feb 17), temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for live fire drills as it held the second round of talks with Washington. As the talks began, Iranian media announced the closure of the key international waterway, following which it fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz. The projectiles, according to the Tasnim news agency, hit their targets in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is also boosting its ties with Russia, with regular delegation visits, amid the US threat.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has discussed Iran's nuclear programme with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday via its channel on Telegram messaging app.
(Reuters)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is confronting the most serious challenge of his 36-year rule, as rising domestic unrest, economic strain from sanctions, and the threat of US airstrikes converge.
Despite a long record of crushing protests and resisting Western pressure, Khamenei now faces a weakened regional position after setbacks to allies like Hezbollah and the fall of Bashar al-Assad. At the same time, ongoing tensions linked to the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 have intensified pressure on Iran.
Khamenei has refused US demands to curb Iran’s missile programme, though Tehran has signalled limited flexibility on its nuclear activities, accsording to the AP reports.
Amid the US threat to Iran, Russia is bolstering its ties with Tehran. Cooperation has unfolded across multiple channels, from joint commissions and a steady schedule of official delegations. One of the most recent visits came recently, when Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov arrived in Tehran. A key focus of his trip was his role in the 19th meeting of the Permanent Iranian-Russian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. The session, held Wednesday, ended with both sides pointing to major progress, highlighted by the signing of four memorandums of understanding.
Iran has warned it would respond to any US attack. Its leadership has said its “finger is on the trigger” and has promised a “slap in the face” to US forces if struck.
Iran could use ballistic missiles and drones against US bases in the Gulf, including in Bahrain and Qatar. It could also target countries it believes supported Washington, such as Israel or Jordan.
Gulf Arab states are worried that any US action could bring retaliation onto their soil.
India's equity benchmarks were little changed on Friday, after the previous session's steep decline, as oil prices hit a six-month high on rising US-Iran tensions, a worry for the net energy-importing nation.
The Nifty 50 added 0.03% to 25,465, and the BSE Sensex shed 0.07% to 82,467.7, as of 9:42 a.m. IST. The pair fell about 0.3% at the open, before paring losses.
Both the benchmarks slid about 1.5% on Thursday, their biggest drop in more than two weeks.
Eight of the 16 major sectors logged losses at the open. The broader small-caps and mid-caps traded flat.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday that it must make a deal over its nuclear program or "really bad things" will happen, and set a deadline of 10 to 15 days, drawing a threat from Tehran to retaliate against U.S. bases in the region if attacked. -Reuters
According to a BBC report, images publicly available from the European Sentinel-2 satellites show that at least 12 US ships have gathered in the Middle East region.
Among the US aircraft being deployed in the Middle East are:
At Thursday’s Board of Peace session, US President Donald Trump warned Iran that a “meaningful deal” must be reached, otherwise “bad things will happen,” and hinted a decision could come within 10‑15 days, while a massive US naval buildup including two aircraft carriers and dozens of warships continues in the Gulf, raising fears of a broader conflict.
The US military, in recent weeks, has reportedly been closing in with its buildup near Iran as President Donald Trump had last month promised the protesting Iranians that “help was coming” and referred to the military buildup in the region as “armada”.
Trump, on January 22, spoke about a “great aramada” heading to Iran, where he referred to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group. The BBC has now confirmed, using satellite imagery, that the location of USS Abraham Lincoln is near Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Wednesday condemned Israel’s move to tighten control over Area C of the occupied West Bank through land‑registration measures, calling it a de facto annexation and an extension of “genocidal” policies aimed at annihilating Palestine; he urged the United Nations, its member states, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other countries to take decisive action to end Israel’s impunity and protect Palestinians’ rights to life and self‑determination, while noting that recent Israeli approvals—announced by finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and military affairs minister Israel Katz—lift longstanding restrictions on settlers, accelerate settlement expansion and erode Palestinian civil authority, actions Palestinians say breach the 1990s Oslo Accords.
(source: Tasnim)
Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, reported that Tehran and Moscow have expanded their military cooperation through a series of joint drills—some bilateral, others with China and regional partners—while also signing a $25 billion memorandum to advance nuclear‑energy projects, including work on additional Bushehr units.
He noted that a recent visit by Russia’s energy minister, involving about 80 officials, focused on energy, transport, education, banking and trade, and was unrelated to Iran’s indirect nuclear talks with the United States.
Infrastructure progress on the North–South corridor (Rasht–Astara railway) and Russia’s status as Iran’s largest foreign investor—$1.1 billion of an expected $8 billion in oil‑field investment—were also highlighted.
The rapid buildup of US military forces in the Middle East has reached a point where President Donald Trump could approve strikes against Iran soon. In fact, the strikes could come as early as this weekend, according to administration and Pentagon officials, reported The New York Times.
The United States has continued moving military equipment and personnel into position that could be used to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile systems, and related launch sites.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, leaves during the Conference on Disarmament, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and IAEA Director‑General Rafael Grossi held a phone call on Wednesday to review the latest round of indirect US–Iran negotiations in Geneva and to outline a “coherent, initial framework” for upcoming talks.
Araqchi thanked Grossi for attending the Geneva session and emphasized Tehran’s focus on shaping that framework, while Grossi praised the meeting’s outcomes and pledged the agency’s support in developing the negotiating structure.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that any new US military strike on Iran would be “playing with fire” and could trigger serious, potentially nuclear‑related consequences, noting that previous attacks on IAEA‑monitored sites already created real risks of a nuclear incident.
He made the comment in an interview with Saudi Arabia’s Al‑Arabiya, aired a day after indirect US‑Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, where both sides reportedly agreed on guiding principles for future negotiations and Iran is expected to submit a written proposal to resolve the dispute.
The United States appears to be preparing for possible military action against Iran. In recent weeks, Washington has increased its military presence in the Middle East.
If talks fail and US President Donald Trump decides to order strikes, the consequences could spread across the region. In an analysis, the BBC says that while the likely targets of any US strike are known, “the outcome is not”.
Iranian and Russian naval units, including the Iranian Navy, IRGC Navy and Russian forces, carried out a simulated rescue of a hijacked commercial vessel on Thursday in the waters near Bandar Abbas.
After distress signals reached the Bandar Abbas Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, an SH‑3 and a Bell 412 helicopter were dispatched, and Iran’s Alvand destroyer directed nearby combat ships to launch a coordinated heliborne and surface assault that recaptured the ship and “detained” the simulated pirates.
The drill comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing US‑Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva, where both sides recently agreed on guiding principles for future talks . Tasnim News
The United States has amassed a sizable “armada” near Iran, with the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group—three Tomahawk‑armed warships, F‑35s and F/A‑18s—already on station, and a second carrier group centered on the USS Gerald R. Ford now steaming toward the region, bringing the total to about 13 destroyers and dozens of aircraft, according to a New York Times report.
The buildup includes nearly 30 attack jets at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, four electronic‑warfare aircraft, five MQ‑9 Reaper drones, and additional tankers, reconnaissance planes, Patriot and THAAD batteries, all set against roughly 30,000‑40,000 US troops in the theater, as detailed by The New York Times.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, US President Donald Trump warned that “bad things will happen” if Iran continues to threaten regional stability, adding that it will become evident “within probably 10 days” whether a nuclear agreement can be reached.
He said the United States is awaiting Tehran’s response after recent Geneva talks, while a second carrier strike group—led by the USS Gerald R. Ford heads toward the eastern Mediterranean to join the already‑present USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, giving the US enough air‑power to launch a sustained bombing campaign if negotiations fail.
This image provided Thursday Feb. 19, 2026 by the Iranian military and dated Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2025, shows navy ships conducting operations during a join drill by Iranian and Russian forces in the Indian Ocean.(Masoud Nazari Mehrabi/Iranian Army via AP)
President Donald Trump has said he hopes to reach a deal with Iran, but the talks have been deadlocked for years, and Iran has refused to discuss wider US and Israeli demands that it scale back its missile program and sever ties to armed groups.
Indirect talks held in recent weeks made little visible progress, and one or both sides could be buying time for final war preparations.
- AP
Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as a second American aircraft carrier drew closer to the Middle East, with both the United States and Iran signaling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran's nuclear program fizzle out.
President Donald Trump has said he hopes to reach a deal with Iran, but the talks have been deadlocked for years, and Iran has refused to discuss wider US and Israeli demands that it scale back its missile program and sever ties to armed groups. Indirect talks held in recent weeks made little visible progress, and one or both sides could be buying time for final war preparations.
Iran’s theocracy is more vulnerable than ever, following 12 days of Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear sites and military last year, as well as mass protests in January that were violently suppressed.
- AP
The United States has deployed a growing number of military assets in the Middle East region in a potential sow of strength to Iran as reports suggest that President Donald Trump-led administration is eyeing to strike the Islamic nation if a deal is not signed.
US President Donald Trump, during the Board of Peace meeting on Thursday, warned Iran that a "meaningful deal" needs to happen otherwise "bad things will happen".
In a statement, Trump said, "Good talks are being had. It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise, bad things happen, but we have to make a meaningful deal."
US President Donald Trump called for Iran to end its nuclear program and said that the Islamic country is a "hot spot right now."
During the Board of Peace summit, Trump said, "We do have some work to do with Iran. They can’t have a nuclear weapons. Very simple. You can’t have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon."
US President Donald Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, DC on Thursday, with discussions centred on the next phase of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking to reporters, Trump also said the world would know within “probably the next 10 days” whether a potential agreement between the United States and Iran could be reached. “So now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal, you’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days,” he stated.
Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk has asked the Polish citizens to immediately leave Iran and warned that "under no circumstances anyone should be travelling to that country."
In a statement, Poland PM Tusk said, "Please, take this seriously. We’ve had bad experiences in the past with people ignoring these warnings. So, I want to emphasise this one more time: leave Iran immediately or cancel your travel plans," The Guardian reported.
The rapid buildup of US military forces in the Middle East has reached a point where President Donald Trump could approve strikes against Iran soon. In fact, the strikes could come as early as this weekend, according to administration and Pentagon officials, reported The New York Times.
The United States has continued moving military equipment and personnel into position that could be used to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile systems, and related launch sites.
Despite the growing military presence, there has been no official confirmation from President Trump about what he plans to do. Officials familiar with the matter say that while US forces are being prepared for possible action, the President has not yet made a final decision. Read
The agreement reached between Iran and world powers in 2015 collapsed after Donald Trump withdrew the US from it in 2018, leading to renewed sanctions and heightened tensions.
Protests began in late December over the collapse of Iran’s currency (rial) and quickly spread nationwide. The government responded with a violent crackdown, killing thousands and detaining tens of thousands.
Israel believes Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons and wants the program dismantled. It also demands limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. (AP)
Under the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during Barack Obama’s administration, Iran could enrich uranium up to 3.67%. Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels and refuses to accept a deal banning enrichment entirely. (AP)
The strain intensified after Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June, which disrupted nuclear negotiations. Since then, renewed talks have failed to produce a deal, and military threats have increased.
Tensions have escalated due to stalled nuclear talks, US military deployments to the Persian Gulf, Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests, and concerns over Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities. Both sides are increasing pressure amid fears of a broader regional conflict. (AP)
Iranian naval vessels have been observed near Bandar Abbas, including the drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri. This vessel can deploy dozens of drones and helicopters and is frequently seen near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical maritime route. (Sky News)
Over 100 US combat aircraft are reportedly positioned across multiple bases. These include F-15s, F-18s, F-22s, F-35s, and B-2 bombers, giving US planners a wide range of strike and air superiority capabilities.
The US has transported air defence assets to regional bases to protect against possible Iranian retaliation. Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces have repositioned Iron Dome batteries eastward, likely anticipating potential threats from Iran, Sky News reported.
Two major aircraft carriers --USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford are leading the deployment. They are supported by destroyers armed with Tomahawk missiles, Littoral Combat Ships, support vessels, and nuclear-powered submarines, likely including Virginia-class attack submarines. There is also speculation about the presence of an Ohio-class guided missile submarine capable of launching large-scale missile strikes, Sky News reported.
The Kremlin said tensions around Iran have escalated to an unprecedented level following the United States’ move to deploy military assets in the Middle East. Moscow urged Tehran and other parties to act with restraint and avoid further escalation, Reuters reported.
It also clarified that planned naval drills between Russia and Iran were scheduled well before the current crisis.
Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated as both sides intensified military signalling amid fragile nuclear negotiations. Tehran conducted joint naval drills with Russia in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, including live-fire exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, while the US moved the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier closer to the Mediterranean region, according to the Associated Press reports.
US President Donald Trump warned that the US could use military bases such as Diego Garcia and Fairford if Iran fails to reach a deal, though no strike has been ordered. The naval movements increase Washington’s strategic options and signal readiness amid regional tensions involving Israel.
US President Donald Trump is in two minds over launching an attack on Iran over the weekend. An official familiar with the situation told CBS News that President Trump has not yet made a final decision about whether to strike.
Trump has built up forces close to Iran, in what he referrs to as an “armada".
The naval force includes the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, sailing alongside three warships armed with Tomahawk missiles — vessels that were involved in last June’s strikes on two of Iran’s nuclear sites. The carrier’s stealth F-35 jets and F/A-18 strike aircraft are positioned within range of numerous potential targets inside Iran, should Trump authorise military action.
In a significant expansion of military presence, the United States has also deployed a second carrier strike group to the area. This group features the Navy’s newest and most advanced carrier, the US S Gerald R Ford, accompanied by three destroyers. As of Wednesday, tracking data reviewed by The New York Times showed the group heading toward the Strait of Gibraltar. Aircraft from the Ford previously participated in the January 3 operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
In addition, one destroyer has been dispatched to the Northern Arabian Sea and another is currently en route, bringing the total number of US destroyers operating across the broader region to 13.
Meanwhile, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan has emerged as a key hub for the expanding US air presence. Between mid-January and mid-February, at least two separate deployments of attack aircraft arrived there, increasing the number of planes stationed at the base to nearly 30.
(With inputs from The New York Times)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House last week and asked US President Donald Trump to make sure that any agreement about Iran’s nuclear program also addresses Iran’s ballistic missiles and stops its financial support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Trump is considering possible military action against Iran, as the US increases its military presence in the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to travel to Israel next week to update Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the US-Iran nuclear talks, two Trump administration officials said.
Rubio is expected to meet with Netanyahu on Feb. 28, according to the officials, who spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity to detail travel plans that have not yet been announced.
-PTI
The swift expansion of US military forces in the Middle East has reached a stage where President Trump could authorize military strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, according to administration and Pentagon officials, The New York Times reported.
The development presents the White House with critical decisions about whether to move forward with diplomatic efforts or shift toward armed conflict.
There is no “confirmation” from Trump about how to proceed, but efforts to build a military force able to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile arsenal, and related launch sites have continued this week, even as second round of negotiations took place on Tuesday.
During those talks, Iran requested two weeks to return with more detailed proposals aimed at reaching a diplomatic solution.
The US State Department on Wednesday said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is taking action against 18 Iranian regime officials and imposing visa restrictions against them.
Secretary of State Rubio would also impose visa restrictions on telecommunications industry leaders, Reuters reported.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev met Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Wednesday and discussed the implementation of a comprehensive program of strategic cooperation between the two countries, the Russian embassy informed in a post on X.
Negotiations between Sergei Tsivilev and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian were held on February 18.
— Russian Embassy in Iran (@RusEmbIran) February 18, 2026
🤝🏻 The parties discussed the implementation of the comprehensive program of strategic cooperation between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/KO2cjzxJdJ
The Strait of Hormuz, which is a bending waterway, is about 33 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
Nearly 20% of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Though Iran and Oman have their territorial waters in the strait, it's generally viewed as an international waterway through which all ships can ply on.
The Strait of Hormuz has traditionally been an important point for trade with ceramics, ivory, silk and textiles moving from China through the region.
Iran had earlier said that it has temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf for military drills.
According to AP, Iran's semi-official news agency reported live fire exercises in the waterway which is significant as 20% of the world oil passes through it.
State media reported on Wednesday that a fire had broken out in Iran's Parand, which is close to the country's capital Tehran. The media also released videos showing smoke rising over the area, which is near a number of military and strategic locations in the Tehran province.
According to the Parand fire department, which was quoted by state media cited by Reuters, "the black smoke seen near the city of Parand is the result of a fire in the reeds around the Parand river bank... fire fighters are on site and the fire extinguishing operation is underway."
(Reuters)
Compared to the Israeli-led 12-day war last June, in which the US eventually joined to destroy Iran's underground nuclear facilities, the sources pointed out that it would probably be a joint US-Israeli assault that is considerably larger in scope — and more existential for the regime. The entire area would be drastically impacted by such a war, and it would have significant ramifications for the latter three years of the Trump administration.
Trump wants a settlement, but Vance made it clear that he has the power to decide that diplomacy has "reached its natural end."
Axios is informed by several U.S. sources that the United States may want further time. According to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) cited by AXIOS, strikes may yet occur in the coming weeks. Others, however, argue that the timescale might be shortened. There is no indication that a diplomatic agreement with Iran is imminent. However, there is mounting indication that conflict is on the horizon.
(AXIOS)
A U.S. military operation in Iran would probably be a large, weeks-long campaign that would resemble a full-fledged war more than the precise operation in Venezuela last month, according to sources AXIOS has cited.
Despite Iran's Foreign Minister's meet with Trump's advisors Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for three hours on Tuesday in Geneva and both parties claiming that the negotiations "made progress," there are still many gaps, and American officials are not hopeful that they will be filled. The conversations "went well" in certain aspects, but vice president Vance told Fox News that "in other respects it was very evident that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through."
Ammunition transported to the Middle East by more than 150 US military cargo flights. F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s are among the 50 fighter jets that have been heading to the area in the last 24 hours alone.
(AXIOS)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented a comprehensive report to the Iranian cabinet in a meeting chaired by President Pezeshkian that took place on the morning of Wednesday in Tehran.
The report entailed details of the course of recent negotiations with the US hosted by the Omani embassy in Switzerland.
He went into detail about the frameworks being discussed, the many aspects of the discussions, and the future prospects.
Following the end of the negotiations at the Omani embassy in Geneva, Araghchi made remarks stating that the discussions were more fruitful than the previous round and were held in a serious setting.
(Tasnim News Agency)
After the US-Iran nuclear talks and Ukraine-Russia peace-talks mediated by US in Geneva, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to President Donald Trump on Tuesday night, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
Starmer also spoke about Gaza and increasing access of humanitarian aid during the conversation.
(Reuters)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated the Nuclear negotiations with the US is being carried out in full coordination with the Leader and with his consent during a meeting with a group of clerics on Tuesday.
He also said the administration is sincerely working to achieve results and expressed hope that the process will result in 'genuine resolution of issues' and tangible outcomes.
Pezeshkian also thanked the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei for showing the utmost backing and cooperation in all areas, programs, and decisions of the administration.
The disagreements with other branches or parts of the establishment resulted in understanding and collaboration rather than conflict and have produced fruitful outcomes, owing to the Leader's wisdom and the government's interactive approach, the President said.
(Tasnim News Agency)
Oil prices marginally increased on Wednesday after dropping around 2% the day before investors evaluated the status of the U.S.-Iran negotiations and remained wary about the likelihood of a final agreement that could allay supply concerns.
By 0931 GMT, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was up 24 cents, or 0.4%, at $62.57, while Brent crude oil futures increased 26 cents, or 0.4%, to $67.68 a barrel. Both prices, however, were still near two-week lows.
(REUTERS)
US-Iran Tensions Live Updates: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the latest round of talks between Iran and the United States with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis. "I spoke today with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the talks between Iran and the United States held today in Geneva, hosted by Oman, described as good and constructive. I welcome the prospect of further rounds, as continued dialogue is an important step towards de-escalation in the region. We also addressed the numerous arrests and deaths in connection with the protests in Iran at the beginning of the year. While acknowledging differing views on this matter, I emphasized the importance of protecting the civilian population from all forms of violence and upholding fundamental rights and freedoms," Cassis wrote in a post on X.
#iran | I spoke today with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the talks between Iran and the United States held today in Geneva, hosted by Oman, described as good and constructive. I welcome the prospect of further rounds, as continued dialogue is an important… pic.twitter.com/nKbabzFvDv
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) February 17, 2026
US-Iran Tensions Live Updates: Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz. "Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety (...) as well as combating maritime terrorism, are among the main goals of this joint exercise," an Iranian navy commander, Hassan Maghsoodloo said according to Fars news.
-Reuters
US-Iran Tensions Live Updates: The United States has sent over 50 F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East in the last 24 hours, reported Axios, citing open source flight radar data and a US official.
US-Iran Tensions Live Updates: Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday for live fire drills in a rare show of force as its negotiators held another round of indirect talks with the United States over the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program.It was the first time Iran has announced the closure of the key international waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, since the U.S. began threatening Iran and rushing military assets to the region. It was not immediately clear if the strait had been closed, but such a rare and perhaps unprecedented move could further escalate tensions that threaten to ignite another war in the Middle East. As the talks began, Iran’s state media announced that Iranian forces had fired live missiles toward the strait and would close it for several hours for “safety and maritime concerns.”
- AP
US-Iran Tensions Live Updates: US Vice President JD Vance said that Iranians were yet to acknowledge and “work through” President Donald Trump's “red lines”. “In some ways, it went well. They agreed to meet afterwards,” Vance told Fox News. “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.” As per one of Trump's "red lines", Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, said Vance, stating that a nuclear Islamic Republic would eventually lead to an arms race across the world. "The president of the United States is very much trying to find a solution here, whether it’s through diplomatic options or through another option, that means the Iranians cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said. “We’re going to keep on working it, but of course, the president reserves the ability to say when he thinks that diplomacy has reached its natural end,” he said. “We hope we don’t get to that point, but if we do, that will be the president’s call.”
US-Iran Tensions Live Updates: Iran has said that it has reached an understanding with the United States on the “guiding principles” to resolve the long-standing dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme; however, there was still work needed to be done. The second round of talks between the two countries in Geneva on Tuesday was initiated by Oman, which also hosted the first round in Muscat earlier this month. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian media that the talks were “constructive”, highlighting that both sides agreed to work further on “draft texts for a potential agreement”. “Ultimately, we were able to reach broad agreement on a set of guiding principles, based on which we will move forward and begin working on the text of a potential agreement,” Araghchi told state TV.
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