Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, has claimed that American military planning for possible action against Iran has entered an advanced stage. According to the report, a range of options is under review — from limited, targeted strikes against specific officials to broader scenarios, including efforts aimed at altering the governing structure in Tehran.

The British government has rejected a U.S. proposal to use the American air base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for possible military action against Iran. Yvette Cooper, the UK Foreign Secretary, also clarified this position ahead of her meeting with Marco Rubio, stating that Washington should pursue negotiations with Iran rather than resort to bombing.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution met with thousands of people from East Azerbaijan Province, today, on February 17, 2026. In this meeting, which took place on the eve of the anniversary of the historic uprising of the people of Tabriz on February 18, 1978, the Leader described the threatening statements of the US President as a manifestation of their desire to dominate the Iranian nation.

In recent days, the crisis on the Alawite coast of Syria has escalated again, with local residents concerned about the increased activity of hidden ISIS and al-Qaeda cells, as well as the actions of the Tahrir al-Sham dictatorship. The local head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, is gradually becoming the leader of the Alawite majority, which worries the so-called Ahmed al-Sharaa (aka Muhammad al-Julani).

In recent years, Iraq’s digital economy has developed into one of the country’s most vibrant and rapidly expanding sectors. Factors such as the increasing youth population, the government’s gradual adoption of electronic services, and Iraq’s potential to serve as a regional hub for transit and data exchange have attracted significant attention from both domestic and international stakeholders. While Western exploitation of Iraq’s oil industry posed certain challenges, the communications and information technology sector has now become a strategic focus for various groups and nations. Baghdad aims to achieve two main objectives: first, to generate financial resources to sustain its operations, and second, to influence and oversee data flows to enhance its social impact and bolster security efforts against external influences.

Hani Masour, a media figure affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council and based in Abu Dhabi, claimed that STC forces remain deployed at their military positions in Ras Abbas, Al-Jalaa, and Badr base, as well as at the port of Aden, the city’s exit gates, and government institutions in Khormaksar district.

The latest statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry indicate that in the past 24 hours, 10 individuals have been killed and 9 others have been injured due to attacks by the Israeli regime.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, emphasized that oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is accepted, but a complete halt to uranium enrichment is unrealistic.

Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, responded to recent remarks by Donald Trump describing his statements as reckless and unbefitting of a head of state.

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the administration of Donald Trump continues to emphasize pursuing a diplomatic solution toward Iran, adding that Washington’s primary focus remains on continuing negotiations.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, left Tehran at the head of a diplomatic and technical delegation for Geneva to participate in the second round of negotiations with the United States, as well as in diplomatic consultations.

In recent years, Africa has become a key arena for competition among major and middle powers, each aiming to expand their political and economic influence. This trend is driven by motives such as the continent’s rich natural resources, including mines and rare earth elements, leading to intense rivalry and proxy wars like those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The main losers are often the host countries’ interests and their populations. Sudan exemplifies this trend, notably with the UAE’s involvement. The Horn of Africa—comprising Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, and Ethiopia—holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the Red Sea and its role in global trade routes. Its closeness to Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait further amplifies competition, especially among Saudi Arabia and the UAE.