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Tuesday · February 25, 2026 |
12 U.S. F-22 Raptors Touch Down in Southern Israel12 U.S. F-22 Raptors touched down in southern Israel yesterday (February 24), marking the first known operational F-22 presence in the country. One aircraft returned to base due to a fuel leak, leaving 11 confirmed on the ground. The jets flew from RAF Lakenheath in the UK, supported by KC-46 and KC-135 refueling tankers. The Pentagon is deploying 6 additional F-22s to the Middle East. The New York Times confirmed the deployment, calling it preparation for "a more aggressive stance" and potential Israeli cooperation in strikes on Iran. The region now holds roughly 500 combined U.S. and Israeli combat aircraft, including 110–120 fifth-generation stealth fighters. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle East, with the USS Lincoln already in position. This is the largest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East in decades. |
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500+ Combat Aircraft |
2 Carrier Strike Groups |
18 F-22 Raptors Deployed |
Trump Delivers the Longest State of the Union in HistoryPresident Trump delivered the longest State of the Union in history yesterday (February 24), clocking in at roughly 1 hour and 48 minutes. The speech covered the economy, immigration, and Olympic medal ceremonies, but the sharpest section targeted Iran. Trump demanded Tehran say the "magic words": "We will never build a nuclear weapon." He referenced last year's Operation Midnight Hammer, which struck Iranian nuclear sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. He accused Iran of developing missiles capable of reaching U.S. bases in Europe and eventually the American homeland, funding terrorism, and killing an estimated 32,000 of its own protesters. |
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"I will never allow the world's #1 sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. Can't happen." — President Trump, State of the Union Address |
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Trump said his preference is diplomacy but warned of "bad things" if Iran refuses. PBS and NPR claimed the "obliterated" framing overstates the damage. Iran's nuclear program took a significant blow but retains reconstitution capability. The speech triggered partisan confrontations. Rep. Ilhan Omar heckled the President, shouting "You have killed Americans! You should be ashamed!" Rep. Al Green was escorted out of the chamber. |
Third Round of U.S.-Iran Talks Opens TomorrowThe third round of indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks opens tomorrow (February 26) in Geneva, mediated by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi. Previous rounds took place in Oman (February 6) and Geneva (February 17). The U.S. delegation includes envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran is represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi told Al Jazeera a deal is "within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority." Reuters reports Iran may offer to send half its enriched uranium abroad and dilute the rest in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to peaceful enrichment. Trump said Iran wants a deal more than the U.S. does. |
Iran's Parliament and IRGC Issue WarningsIran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if talks involve "deception, lies, or attack," Iran will deliver a "strong punch." Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called Trump's SOU remarks "Goebbels-style big lies" on Iran's nuclear program, missiles, and protest crackdowns. The IRGC issued threats that U.S. soldiers would "return in long rows of coffins." Iran also issued a NOTAM for drone activity near its border with Azerbaijan. |
Israel Warns Lebanon Over HezbollahReuters reports Israel conveyed through intermediaries that it would strike Lebanese civilian infrastructure, including Beirut's airport, if Hezbollah enters a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. The U.S. ordered non-essential staff out of its Beirut embassy. Hezbollah-linked sources say Iran has not requested intervention. Iran supposedly remains confident it can respond independently, with allies stepping in only if regime survival is threatened, though a proxy war is also expected. |
The F-22 deployment and carrier buildup give the U.S. its most credible strike posture against Iran in decades. Tomorrow's Geneva round is the diplomatic off-ramp. Trump set the terms publicly: Iran renounces nuclear weapons or faces consequences. Tehran is talking tough but signaling flexibility on enriched uranium. Watch for what Iran actually puts on paper before Thursday. |
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U.S. / Iran Iran's Missiles Not on the Table Iran's ballistic missile program appears excluded from the current U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Negotiations remain focused on the nuclear file only. The missile question remains unresolved. |
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Nuclear / Diplomacy IAEA Chief Warns Talks Breakdown Could Lead to Force IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi warned that a collapse in U.S.-Iran negotiations could raise the risk of military action. He said a deal remains possible to prevent "more disruption, deaths, and regional instability." |
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Israel / U.S. IDF: Israelis Get Short Notice If U.S. Strikes Iran The IDF assessed that in the event of a U.S. strike on Iran, Israeli civilians will receive only short notice, and only if missiles are launched toward Israel. |
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Australia / Middle East Australia Orders Diplomat Families to Depart Region Australia ordered the families of diplomats stationed in Lebanon and Israel to leave, citing a worsening security environment. Authorities are also facilitating optional departures from Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE. |
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Saudi Arabia / Lebanon Saudi Crown Prince Pushes to Marginalize Hezbollah Lebanese paper Al-Akhbar reports Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Egyptian President El-Sisi of "the necessity of political marginalization of Hezbollah." El-Sisi called for waiting on Lebanese parliamentary election results. |
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Iran / Human Rights Footage Shows Violent Detention of Iranian Protester Newly released video shows security forces violently detaining a woman during a protest in Fardis, near Karaj, on January 7, 2026. |
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India / Israel Indian PM Modi Arrives in Israel Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Israel today (February 25) and was welcomed by Prime Minister Netanyahu. "This is a bond of real friendship," Netanyahu said. Modi is set to address the Knesset later today. |
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U.S. / Politics Spanberger Delivers Democratic SOTU Response Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger gave the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union. "We did not hear the truth from our president. Is the president working for you?" |
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U.S. / Politics Trump Calls Out Congressional Insider Trading During the SOU, Trump pushed Congress to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act. "Did Nancy Pelosi stand up? Doubt it," he added, drawing applause from Republicans. |
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U.S. / SOTU Trump Wears Olympic Gold Medal Trump put on U.S. hockey player Matthew Tkachuk's Olympic gold medal during the SOU. "I'm not giving it back," Trump said. Tkachuk replied: "I'll trade it for a pen." |
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U.S. / Tech Pentagon Gives Anthropic Friday Deadline on Military AI The U.S. Defense Department gave AI company Anthropic until Friday to agree to unrestricted military use of its technology or face being compelled under emergency federal powers. |
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Ukraine / Russia Zelensky: "A Person Without Friends" In a new interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reflected on how the war has changed him. "A person without friends. No, with partners, big partners, but you understand what I mean. I don't have time for friends or for friendship." |
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Ukraine / Russia Ukrainian Cruise Missile Strikes Russian Iskander Factory Footage released today shows a Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile striking a Russian Iskander missile system production workshop in Votkinsk on February 20. The Iskander is one of Russia's primary short-range ballistic missile platforms. |
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Turkey / Military Turkish F-16 Crashes After Takeoff, Pilot Killed A Turkish Air Force F-16 crashed shortly after takeoff from Balıkesir during a late-night training flight, killing the pilot, Major İbrahim Bolat. Footage captured a massive fireball near the highway. |
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Syria / ISIS ISIS Attacks Surge Against Syrian Army Reports of increased attacks against Ahmad al-Sharaa's Syrian army have emerged following a recording of an ISIS spokesman urging operatives to target the forces. |