Demonstrators rally in solidarity with the Iranian protest motion in Los Angeles. File
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Tensions remained excessive in West Asia on Thursday (February 19, 2026) because the U.S. continued to bolster its army presence within the area, Iran carried out naval drills together with Russia within the Persian Gulf and Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei not directly urged Iranians to withstand any exterior aggression.
“There are various causes and arguments that one might make for a strike in opposition to Iran,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned in Washington, including that “Iran can be very smart to make a cope with President Trump.”
U.S. media reported on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that President Donald Trump would resolve whether or not to strike Iran or not as quickly as this weekend. The U.S. has deployed one plane provider and dozens of fighter jets, warships, guided destroyers, gasoline tankers and missile defence programs to the area. A second plane provider is anticipated to achieve the Mediterranean Sea subsequent week.
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted a verse from Quran in social media on Wednesday (February 18, 2026), indicating that an assault might be imminent and urging Iranians to withstand. “So ought to anybody aggress in opposition to you, assail him within the method he assailed you,” it learn.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) introduced on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that Iranian and Russian forces have efficiently carried out a mock operation to rescue a hijacked vessel throughout fight naval drills close to the Bandar Abbas port within the Persian Gulf. That is the second live-fire drill IRGC is finishing up since tensions between the U.S. and Iran spiked final month.
Iran and the U.S. held a second spherical of talks on February 17, 2026 in Geneva beneath Oman’s mediation. Iran’s Overseas Minister Abbas Aragchi had mentioned each side had made “progress” in talks and agreed on “guiding rules” for future talks. However the People had been much less optimistic. Vice-President J.D. Vance mentioned in an interview that “gaps stay” between the 2 sides.
Iran has mentioned it might negotiate solely about its nuclear programme, whereas the U.S., in line with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, needs to place Iran’s missile programme and its assist for regional non-state allies additionally on the agenda. The U.S. additionally needs Iran to finish uranium enrichment utterly.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Power Organisation of Iran, mentioned on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that Iran wouldn’t abandon its proper to nuclear enrichment. ”Iran’s nuclear programme is continuing in line with the foundations of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company, and no nation can deprive Iran of the appropriate to peacefully profit from this expertise,” Mr. Eslami mentioned at an occasion in Tehran, in line with state media.
In June, the U.S. joined Israel to assault Iran’s nuclear amenities. Mr. Trump then claimed that the U.S. “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme. Mr. Trump final month threatened to make use of power amid protests within the nation. He later requested Iran to make a deal over its nuclear programme or face “profound penalties”.
Iran has mentioned it was not searching for to construct a bomb, however has dominated out giving up its nuclear programme totally.
“The complexity of nuclear applied sciences is extraordinarily excessive, and their gear and infrastructure are usually not simply obtainable, notably beneath situations the place provide routes are tainted by Zionist infiltration and sabotage,” Mr. Eslami famous. “For that reason, Iran was compelled to create all the chain of analysis, design, development, testing, and technological maturation internally; a path that has now borne fruit,” he added.
Revealed – February 19, 2026 09:20 pm IST