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— Lead Story — Trump Tells Iran: Give Up Enrichment or Get Bombed |
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USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group · Mediterranean Sea |
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Trump is drawing a hard line. He wants Iran to fully surrender its nuclear program, sharing a Mark Levin clip on Truth Social calling any partial deal worthless and saying the regime itself needs to go. A third round of U.S.-Iran talks is set for Geneva on February 26, but both sides are showing up with positions that don't leave much room to move. |
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— Tehran — Iran's Foreign Minister Says There's No Military OptionIran's FM Abbas Araghchi went on Face the Nation and called a deal very possible, framing enrichment as a sovereign right Iran won't give up. He said Iran will bring a detailed counterproposal to the table, open to limits on enrichment purity and centrifuges, but not a full stop or suspension. He also welcomed full IAEA access and made clear that any U.S. strike would bring retaliation against American interests across the Middle East. YNET reports Israeli officials are very pessimistic about any chance of a deal, stating Iran has no intention of making concessions. |
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— Washington — Witkoff Wonders Why Iran Hasn't Folded YetU.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Trump's red line: zero enrichment, full stop, with Iran's nuclear material shipped out of the country. Iran is currently enriching to 60%, about a week away from weapons-grade fuel. Witkoff says that's unacceptable until Iran proves otherwise. Trump, meanwhile, is reportedly puzzled why Iran hasn't backed down given the U.S. military presence in the region. |
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"The president is curious as to why they haven't capitulated. Why, under this pressure with the amount of naval power over there, haven't they come to us?" — Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy |
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— Geneva, Feb 26 — Geneva Round Three, With Iran ReinforcingOman is mediating Thursday's indirect talks in Geneva, with Witkoff and possibly Kushner across from Iran. Trump has given the process 10 to 15 days, putting the deadline in early March. After that, he's signaling strikes. The U.S. currently has deployed two carrier groups, hundreds of aircraft, and destroyers in the region — the largest buildup since 2003. Iran's detailed proposal is expected by Tuesday. Meanwhile, embassies continue to issue evacuation warnings for their citizens in Iran. According to the NYT, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier was south of Italy in the Mediterranean on Sunday — in our estimation it will arrive Tuesday earliest and Thursday latest. Satellite images show Iran reinforcing missile sites with concrete and burying nuclear tunnels deeper underground. Intelligence officials are flagging the risk of Iran activating proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis against U.S. targets if strikes happen. Oil crossed $70 and gold is climbing. Inside Iran, protests are spreading as the economy worsens. Students at universities are seen openly chanting for the death of Khamenei and tearing up photos of regime fighters killed during the 12-Day War. |
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— Analysis — What Happens Next?Trump is weighing targeted strikes to force concessions or broader campaigns that could target leadership including Khamenei himself. Iran is floating ideas like diluting uranium stockpiles or joining a regional enrichment consortium in exchange for sanctions relief, but won't budge on enrichment itself. Some U.S. bases have already been quietly evacuated amid Iranian provocations near American vessels. Axios is calling this round difficult if not impossible. If talks collapse, the options left are proxy escalation, regional chaos, and no clean way out for anyone. |
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Bottom Line Thursday's Geneva session is as close to a last-chance moment as we've seen. Iran is preparing a counterproposal. The U.S. is positioning forces and setting deadlines. Both sides say they want a deal — and both sides are making clear they're prepared for the alternative. Watch for what Iran actually puts on paper before Thursday. |
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Lebanon U.S. Embassy Beirut Mass Evacuation Lebanon's LBC reports the U.S. Embassy evacuated dozens of staff today via Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport in a major precautionary move. This signals high alert for imminent regional conflict, likely tied to the U.S.-Iran standoff and Hezbollah risks. Flights ferried personnel out amid fears of proxy attacks or spillover strikes; families and non-essentials prioritized first. |
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Iran Iran Spokesmen Vow Strong Response Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman warned if war erupts, Iran's fighters will reply. Military stands ready 24/7 to defend existence, refusing to bow to threats. Spokesman Ka'aji: Any aggression demands powerful self-defense retaliation. He stressed U.S. sanctions lift as deal core, with Iran ensuring its nuclear program stays peaceful. |
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India / Iran India Urges Immediate Iran Exit India's Embassy in Tehran advised all citizens to leave Iran immediately, citing escalating tensions. The statement activates emergency helplines for roughly 10,000 nationals including students, workers, and traders — urging commercial flights out now before options vanish. |
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Syria U.S. Quits Another Syria Base U.S. forces withdrew from Qasrak base in northeastern Hasakah, shifting to Iraq's Kurdistan, reports Syria TV. Recent pulls include al-Shaddadi, Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, al-Tanf per Syrian government-SDF pact. Kharab al-Jir near Rmeilan remains the last outpost. |
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Africa Chad Seals Sudan Border Chad shut its Sudan border indefinitely, citing war spillover fears after clashes killed soldiers. The move blocks trade and travel to shield citizens and halt conflict spread. |
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Gaza Gaza Demands and Warnings Israel Minister Smotrich demands Hamas disarm and yield Gaza control soon — or IDF enforces demilitarization. UN Secretary General laments what he says is the two-state solution being stripped away in broad daylight, calling on the world to intervene. |
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U.S. / Gaza Senator Graham: Arabs Rebuild Gaza Senator Lindsey Graham argued Israel cannot occupy Gaza successfully. He argued UAE and Saudi Arabia must lead the rebuild with resources, teaching tolerance like the UAE to deradicalize Gaza's population. |
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Afghanistan / Pakistan Taliban Interior Minister Threatens Pakistan Taliban Interior Minister warned Pakistan: If elders choose serious action, no trace of Pakistan remains. This comes after Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan. |
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North Korea Kim Re-Elected, Xi Congratulates Of course, Kim Jong Un was "democratically" re-elected General Secretary of North Korea's Workers' Party at the 9th Congress. President Xi Jinping sent formal congratulations. |
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Americas Mexican Troops Hit Puerto Vallarta Cartels Mexico has a cartel problem on the rise. Mexican troops deployed to Puerto Vallarta post-cartel attacks, column in south city with UH-60M Black Hawk cover. U.S. Mission orders citizens shelter in place amid Jalisco, Baja California, Quintana Roo and other states' operations, blockages, and crime. |
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Horn of Africa Somaliland Pushes U.S. Bases Deal Somaliland offered the United States exclusive access to its mineral wealth and potential military bases, seeking formal recognition. The self-declared state — stable since 1991 — highlights lithium and coltan reserves and strategic Red Sea ports to lure Washington amid Horn of Africa tensions. |
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