The United States military is preparing for a potential long-term operation against Iran, according to two US officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning. The operation would begin if President Donald Trump orders an attack on Iran. The Pentagon has already deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East under Trump’s directive, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided missile destroyer in the Arabian Sea.

The report states that US forces could target not only Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but also its state and security installations. However, officials declined to provide specific details. The preparations come as US and Iranian diplomats held talks in Oman last week regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump has repeatedly warned of possible military action if no agreement is reached, cautioning that the alternative to diplomacy would be “very tragic.”

Iran has vowed to retaliate if attacked, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Analysts warn that Iran’s large missile arsenal could pose significant risks to US forces and bases across the Middle East.

India has approved the purchase of five additional S-400 missile units from Russia under a plan valued at 10,000 crore rupees. The decision was made by the Defence Acquisition Committee led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal includes a total of 288 anti-ballistic missiles, according to a report by RT.

Alongside the S-400 purchase, India has also decided to acquire the Pantsir air defense system, jointly produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Russia’s state-owned arms manufacturer and exporter Rosoboronexport. Officials from India’s Ministry of Defence said the Indian Air Force had requested 288 missiles in total, comprising 120 short-range Pantsir and 168 long-range S-400 missiles.

Currently, India possesses four S-400 missile systems, with two more expected to be added soon. The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that discussions have begun between the two countries regarding the potential purchase of the upgraded S-500 Triumphator-M system.

During the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of an international initiative called the “Board of Peace.” Trump will serve as its chairman, and the board aims to coordinate with the United Nations to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The plan includes ensuring humanitarian aid, rebuilding infrastructure, fostering local political reconciliation, and forming a stable governance structure. At least 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar, have pledged to join, while France and the United Kingdom have distanced themselves. China and Russia have not yet clarified their positions.

The initiative emerges amid multiple global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, instability in Venezuela, and rising geopolitical competition in the Arctic. Analysts view the Board of Peace as a state-centric alternative to traditional multilateral institutions, reflecting Trump’s skepticism toward the UN and NATO. The board’s approach emphasizes power balance over international law or moral principles.

The article suggests that for developing nations like Bangladesh, this shift toward power-driven diplomacy poses new challenges and calls for stronger engagement in UN reform and regional cooperation to maintain strategic balance.

The United States military has carried out another strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people. According to the US Southern Command (Southcom), which oversees military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the attack took place early Friday. The operation is part of a series of US military actions in the region since September 2025, which have reportedly left at least 133 people dead, according to Al Jazeera.

Washington has maintained that its forces are targeting individuals suspected of drug trafficking, describing those killed as 'narco-terrorists.' However, international law and human rights experts have repeatedly criticized such operations, calling them extrajudicial killings. Earlier in the same week, the US also conducted a strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in which two people were reported killed, Southcom said.

The continued US military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions have drawn scrutiny over their legality and humanitarian impact, as questions persist about accountability and adherence to international law.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that 90 percent of school buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or completely destroyed during two years of Israeli military aggression. The agency shared this information on Thursday through a post on social media platform X, noting that the few remaining intact schools have been converted into shelters. Children in Gaza are now entirely dependent on temporary classrooms or digital platforms for their education.

UNRWA stated that it is working to support the education of children affected by the ongoing devastation in Gaza. The report comes amid continuing conflict that began after Palestinian resistance groups launched an operation in Israel on October 7, 2023, aimed at breaking the long-standing blockade of Gaza. In response, Israeli forces initiated one of the most intense military campaigns in recent history.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as of February 11, more than 72,000 people have been killed during the two-year-long Israeli offensive.

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a multibillion-dollar plan for Gaza’s reconstruction and intends to present detailed proposals for deploying a stabilization force under a United Nations mandate. According to a Reuters report, Trump will outline these initiatives at the Board of Peace meeting in Washington on February 19, which will include leaders and representatives from 20 countries. The peace council, launched by Trump in Davos last month, includes members such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia.

Indonesia has already announced plans to send 8,000 troops to Gaza, pending an agreement. Trump is also seeking reconstruction funds from wealthy Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. His son-in-law Jared Kushner, though not holding an official position, has been involved in discussions with Israel and Arab states regarding the plan. However, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have expressed reluctance to provide financial support.

The upcoming peace council meeting is viewed as a test case for whether the proposed peacekeeping force and financial commitments will materialize. Some Arab and Muslim countries oppose the UN peacekeeping mandate, fearing it could shield Israeli military actions in Gaza.

At least 7,005 people have been killed in Iran during security forces’ operations to suppress anti-government protests, according to a report released Thursday by the US-based human rights organization HRANA. The group said the dead include 214 members of government forces. HRANA stated that it verifies information through a network of activists inside Iran and that limited communication has slowed data collection and verification, leading to gradual updates of the death toll.

In contrast, the Iranian government’s only official figure, released on January 21, reported 3,117 deaths related to the protests. Tehran has previously faced accusations of underreporting or withholding casualty figures during unrest, though the Associated Press could not obtain further details on the current figures.

The report emerged amid heightened tensions surrounding ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance on Iran. Trump said he prioritizes resolving the issue through negotiations but warned that failure to reach an agreement could bring harsher consequences for Iran.

The United States has withdrawn its remaining military units from the strategically important Al-Tanf base in Syria, located near the Iraq and Jordan borders. Following the withdrawal, the Syrian Arab Army took control of the base in coordination with the American side, according to a statement from Syria’s defense ministry. The ministry said the area has been secured and that military units have begun deployment along the Syria-Iraq-Jordan border, with border guards to follow.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the withdrawal, describing it as orderly and part of agreed conditions. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that US forces remain ready to respond to any emerging ISIL threats while supporting partner-led efforts to prevent the resurgence of terrorist networks. The Pentagon had announced in April 2025 that troops deployed in Syria since 2019 would be withdrawn, fulfilling that plan now.

The Al-Tanf base was established in 2014 as a key hub for the global coalition against ISIL during Syria’s civil war. The withdrawal comes months after Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara, formerly a rebel leader, joined the anti-ISIL coalition, with the Trump administration expressing support for his government.

The United States is expanding its military presence in the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. Under President Donald Trump’s directive, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is being deployed to the region alongside the already stationed USS Abraham Lincoln and its guided missile destroyers in the Arabian Sea. The deployment, first reported by The New York Times, comes as the Red Sea and surrounding areas experience heightened instability.

Gulf Arab states have warned that new attacks could trigger a wider conflict, especially as the region still reels from the recent Israel-Hamas fighting in Gaza. President Trump recently cautioned Iran that failure to reach a new nuclear deal would have “very painful” consequences. Following indirect talks in Oman, he said a deal is sought within a month and discussed Iran’s missile program and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran faces both domestic and international crises, including deadly protests last month and ongoing sanctions. The USS Ford’s crew, at sea since June 2025, may see their deployment extended, though the White House has not commented.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday, February 13, that Washington must reach an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program by March. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he warned that failure to do so could lead to 'terrible' consequences. Trump expressed hope that a deal could be achieved within the next month, emphasizing that both sides must act positively to move forward.

He further cautioned that if Iran does not advance in the negotiations, an operation called 'Midnight Hammer' could resume, this time with greater intensity. His remarks have sparked renewed concern internationally about the state of U.S.–Iran relations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Trump’s tough message is part of a strategy to increase pressure on Iran to limit its nuclear activities, a move that could further complicate the security situation in the Middle East.

Japan’s Coast Guard seized a Chinese fishing vessel in the East China Sea near Kyushu’s Nagasaki Prefecture on February 13, 2026. The vessel, carrying 11 crew members including its captain, was intercepted within Japan’s exclusive economic zone after allegedly attempting to flee when ordered to stop. All crew members are currently in custody, according to a Coast Guard statement.

This marks Japan’s first seizure of a Chinese vessel in four years, the last such incident occurring in 2022. The operation comes at a time of heightened concern between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as an inseparable part of its territory. The issue has resurfaced following recent remarks by Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The seizure underscores the fragile maritime relations between Japan and China, particularly as both nations navigate sensitive territorial and political disputes in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey is working to promote peace and stability during a period of growing global uncertainty. He made the remarks on Thursday at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, according to TRT World. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s regional engagement and its efforts to strengthen peace and stability across the Balkans.

Highlighting the importance of regional cooperation, Erdogan said Turkey never neglects the Balkans and continues to play an active role in ensuring peace both within its region and beyond. He also discussed the expanding economic ties between Turkey and Serbia, noting the rapid growth of Turkish investment in the country.

Erdogan pointed out that the number of Turkish-capital companies operating in Serbia has risen from about 100 in 2015 to over 1,500, with total investments reaching 300 million dollars. The remarks underscored Turkey’s dual focus on diplomacy and economic partnership in the Balkans.

At least 15 people were killed when a ferry sank in the Nile River in northern Sudan, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Sudan Doctors Network. The ferry was carrying 27 passengers, including women, children, and elderly people, when it went down between the areas of Taiba al-Khawad and Deim al-Kar near Shendi. Six people were rescued alive, while search operations continue for the missing passengers.

The Sudan Doctors Network attributed the accident to weaknesses in river transport and a lack of basic safety measures. The group also highlighted the absence of local authorities and civil defense teams during the initial response, saying that the delay worsened the scale of the disaster.

The organization urged relevant authorities to take urgent action by deploying specialized rescue teams and providing search and recovery equipment to support ongoing operations.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country may launch an operation against armed groups based in Afghanistan before the start of Ramadan. Speaking to ARY News on Wednesday, he said the action would be taken if cross-border attacks continue to threaten Pakistan’s internal security. Although he did not specify an exact date, Asif indicated that the operation could begin soon, stressing that delays in responding to security threats have already cost Pakistan heavily.

Pakistan accuses banned militant organizations, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of operating from across the Afghan border and carrying out attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. Over recent months, cross-border assaults have increased, heightening security concerns in border regions.

A recent suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad killed 31 people and injured more than 160, followed by multiple attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Asif warned that if Afghan authorities fail to curb these groups, responsibility for the consequences will rest with them.

A group of Hindu extremists attacked the Bangladesh stall at the World Cultural Festival held at MIT World Peace University in Pune, India, on Tuesday, according to multiple diplomatic sources cited by Amar Desh. The attackers, identified as members of the Bajrang Dal, destroyed the stall and set fire to the Bangladeshi national flag while chanting anti-Bangladesh slogans. The incident occurred after several individuals had earlier questioned Bangladeshi students about their legal status in India and demanded the removal of their flag.

The stall had been set up by twelve Bangladeshi students from Savitribai Phule Pune University to represent their country at the international event. Although no students were physically harmed, they reportedly fled to safety amid growing fear. The attack has caused widespread anxiety among Bangladeshi and other foreign students attending the festival.

The report also linked the incident to a broader pattern of anti-Bangladesh activities allegedly supported by the Indian government following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, including threats against Bangladeshi diplomats and actions against Bangladeshi athletes.