# Iran
Latest news and articles about Iran
Total: 186 articles found
Ultimatum and Carrier Groups: A Sudden Spike in US–Iran Tensions Raises Global Stakes
A Chinese report says that after Tehran signalled a possible US move away from military action, President Trump issued a one-month ultimatum and the US sent a second carrier group to the Middle East. The combination of hardline deadlines, naval deployments and a volatile regional context raises the risk of miscalculation with serious implications for energy markets and global stability.
US Sends 18 F‑35s From Britain to Middle East in Strong Signal to Iran
The US has sent 18 F‑35A fighters from RAF Lakenheath to the Middle East with tanker support, marking one of the largest recent F‑35 movements to the region. The deployment is a calibrated show of advanced airpower intended to deter Iran but carries risks of escalation and logistical strain.
Teeth on the Map: IRGC Naval Drills in the Strait of Hormuz Raise Stakes for Global Shipping
Iran’s IRGC conducted the main phase of naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on 17 February 2026, with commanders asserting the ability to close the waterway quickly if required. The move underscores a persistent vulnerability for global energy shipments and raises the prospect of heightened naval deployments, insurance costs, and diplomatic friction.
US Warplanes Mass Near Iran as Diplomatic Talks Stall — A Wider China–Russia Test Looms
US deployments of A-10s, F-15Es and supporting assets to the Middle East have intensified after stalled Oman talks with Iran, signalling a retained option for military action. Tehran's consultations with China and Russia, combined with Israeli pressure and US economic tightening, raise the risk of broader regional and geopolitical escalation rather than a contained strike.
US Masses Forces Near Iran as Geneva Talks Begin, Mixing Diplomacy with Coercion
The United States has redeployed aircraft and defensive systems closer to Iran and extended troop rotations as indirect nuclear talks with Tehran begin in Geneva. The concurrent build-up and diplomacy constitute a coercive strategy that raises the risk of miscalculation and could escalate regional instability if negotiations fail.
US Flies 18 F-35s From UK to Middle East in Broad Signal to Tehran
Eighteen US F-35A fighters have flown from RAF Lakenheath to the Middle East with tanker support in one of the largest recent single movements of the type, a deployment CCTV links to tensions with Iran. The dispatch is a calibrated demonstration of deterrence, enabled by allied basing and long-range logistics, but it carries risks of escalation and sustainment challenges for US planners.
Trump Told Netanyahu He’d Back Israeli Strikes on Iran’s Missile Sites If Talks Fail — U.S. Weighs How to Help
U.S. reports say President Trump told Netanyahu he would back Israeli airstrikes on Iranian missile sites if talks with Tehran fail, prompting U.S. military planners to discuss how to assist. The disclosures sharpen the diplomatic and operational dilemmas facing Washington, Israel and regional states whose airspace would be needed for long-range strikes.
U.S. Military and Intelligence Weigh How to Back an Israeli Strike on Iran
Chinese media reported that senior U.S. military and intelligence officials are discussing ways to support a possible Israeli airstrike on Iran’s ballistic missile facilities after President Trump reportedly promised backing to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Practical obstacles — notably Gulf states’ refusals to allow use of their airspace — and the risk of Iranian retaliation make any escalation fraught with regional and global consequences.
Iran Says It Has a Deal Plan but Doubts U.S. Intentions Ahead of Geneva Talks
Iran says it has a negotiation plan ready for Geneva talks with the United States but expresses skepticism about U.S. commitment, noting Washington has accepted that Iran will not be required to halt enrichment or export nuclear material. Tehran also seeks to exclude missile and broader regional issues, particularly concerns about Israel, from the nuclear agenda.
Why Iran Has Few Friends: The Three Contradictions That Keep It Isolated
Iran’s limited friendship network stems from three intertwined contradictions: its revolutionary export and proxy strategy, the trade-off between security confrontation and economic dependence, and transactional ties with major powers rather than deep alliances. Domestic factionalism and fragile regional detente make lasting normalization unlikely, with consequences for regional stability and global policy choices.
IAEA Chief Holds Technical Talks with Iran Ahead of Renewed Geneva Nuclear Talks
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said he held technical discussions with Iran's foreign minister Araghchi to prepare for a second round of indirect U.S.–Iran nuclear talks in Geneva on February 17. The IAEA's engagement aims to settle verification details ahead of political negotiations that remain divided over sanctions relief and sequencing.
U.S. Sends Second Carrier to Middle East as Geneva Talks with Iran Loom — A High-Stakes Mix of Diplomacy and Deterrence
The U.S. has ordered the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group toward the Middle East, creating a temporary dual-carrier posture as Trump envoys prepare to meet Iranian representatives in Geneva on February 17. Washington seeks strict curbs on Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, while Tehran refuses to place its missile and defence programs on the negotiating table, making a diplomatic breakthrough uncertain and the risk of escalation tangible.