Iran - Islamic World News

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 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.

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.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, criticized the European Union’s approach toward developments in Iran, describing the Munich Security Conference as the “Munich Circus.” He stated that the event, once considered prestigious, has now fallen into decline.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Tuesday that if the United States were to initiate a war against Iran, the conflict would not be limited and would turn into a regional war.

Following Canada’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—an official branch of Iran’s armed forces—as a terrorist group in violation of international law, Iran announced a reciprocal measure and announced the Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization.

Final preparations for the launch of a Soyuz‑2.1b rocket carrying three Iranian satellites at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome have entered their final stage. After safety reviews, Russia’s State Space Commission has authorized fueling of the launch vehicle, and operational teams are conducting final checks.

The twelve‑day cyber war between Iran and Israel (June 13–24) began with Operation Rising Lion, leading to a 700 percent surge in cyberattacks against Israeli infrastructure. Unit 8200, responsible for SIGINT, codebreaking, and cyber warfare, played a central role in this confrontation. Since the 1950s, this unit has evolved into one of the world’s most advanced cyber military divisions, with its alumni later founding major companies such as Check Point, CyberArk, and Palo Alto Networks.

A Hebrew daily reported that Israel has concluded the damage inflicted on Iran’s ballistic missile program during the 12‑day war was far less than initially estimated, with Tehran’s missile capability essentially preserved.