Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any US attack on Iran would have dangerous consequences, describing such an action as 'playing with fire'. He made the remarks in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions. His comments came a day after indirect talks between Iranian and US negotiators in Geneva aimed at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Lavrov said that attacks had been carried out on Iranian nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, posing a serious risk of a nuclear accident. He noted that he had closely observed the stance of Arab and Gulf governments regarding a possible strike on Iran and found that none were willing to escalate tensions, recognizing the grave risks involved.

According to Lavrov, further escalation could reverse recent positive developments, including the restoration of friendly relations between Iran and neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has warned that time is running out for the United States and Iran to reach an agreement. In an interview with a French television channel, Grossi said that although dialogue has begun, the discussions have become extremely complex. He noted that for the first time there appears to be a real possibility of reaching a compromise, with both sides starting to discuss specific issues.

The report states that Tehran has suspended several forms of cooperation with the IAEA. Following attacks by Israel and the United States last June, Iran blocked the agency’s access to its nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, alongside ongoing talks, US President Donald Trump met with national security officials to discuss potential military action against Iran. The meeting, held on Wednesday, February 18, reportedly focused on preparations for a possible strike by Saturday, February 21.

According to a CBS report citing an unnamed official, US security officials indicated readiness to carry out an attack before the end of the week, though the president has not yet made a final decision.

Iran and Russia are set to conduct a joint naval exercise on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, according to Iranian Navy Commander Captain Hassan Maqsoodlou, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The exercise aims to expand maritime cooperation and strengthen coordination in planning and executing combined operations between the two nations’ navies.

IRNA noted that the drill highlights the importance of monitoring regional conditions in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean. It also reflects both countries’ commitment to enhancing maritime collaboration, opposing unilateral actions, and ensuring the security of regional maritime trade. Russian Navy Commander Captain Alexei Sergeyev stated that Russia is ready to hold joint exercises in any region.

The announcement comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began a separate military drill in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week, amid heightened tensions with the United States. The exercise coincided with indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

Iran has summoned Germany’s ambassador in Tehran following a large protest in Munich that Iranian authorities described as anti-Iran activity. The state news agency IRNA reported on Tuesday that Ambassador Axel Dittmann was called to the Foreign Ministry, where officials lodged a strong protest over what they called destructive actions against the Islamic Republic and violations of international law. The protest in Munich last Saturday drew about 250,000 participants, according to police sources, and featured a speech by Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah and a critic of Iran’s current leadership.

The IRNA report stated that Dittmann promised to convey Iran’s strong protest and deep dissatisfaction to Berlin. The Munich demonstration came amid ongoing unrest in Iran that began over rising living costs and has evolved into broader anti-government protests. Iranian authorities claim the unrest was fueled by foreign provocation, blaming the United States and Israel.

Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 people, including security personnel and civilians, were killed during the unrest, while international organizations estimate the death toll to exceed 7,000, most of them protesters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced significant progress in indirect negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program. The talks, held on Tuesday in Geneva under Omani mediation, aimed to prevent potential U.S. military intervention by reaching an understanding on nuclear restrictions. Araghchi said both sides had agreed on key guiding principles to resolve the long-standing nuclear dispute and would now begin drafting a possible agreement.

Araghchi described the latest round as more productive than the first phase held earlier this month in Oman, noting that a clear and positive path forward had emerged. He added that both parties would prepare draft texts and exchange them before setting a date for a third round of discussions.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that President Trump had set certain “red lines” that Iran was still unwilling to accept, indicating that some core disagreements remain despite the reported progress.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the United States can never destroy the Islamic Republic, responding to recent anti-Iran statements by US President Donald Trump. Speaking on Tuesday in East Azerbaijan Province before thousands gathered ahead of the anniversary of the 1978 Tabriz uprising, Khamenei warned that even the most powerful American warships could be sunk. He said the US military, though claiming to be the world’s strongest, could still be struck so hard that it could not recover.

Khamenei accused Washington of seeking dominance over the Iranian nation and asserted that Iranians know how to respond. He reaffirmed Iran’s right to pursue its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, under international frameworks, calling any attempt to undermine that right unreasonable. His remarks followed Trump’s claim about US military strength and his stance toward Iran.

The comments, reported by the Mehr news agency, underscore Tehran’s defiance amid continued US pressure and highlight Iran’s insistence on maintaining its nuclear rights within international norms.

Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for several hours on Tuesday, according to the country’s state media. The closure was described as a partial shutdown of one of the world’s most critical oil export routes. It remains unclear whether the strait has fully resumed normal operations following the temporary restriction.

State media reported that the measure was taken to ensure the safety of maritime traffic during a military exercise conducted by Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the area. The drills coincided with the temporary closure, which officials characterized as a precautionary step.

The Strait of Hormuz holds major strategic importance for global trade and energy supply, as a significant portion of Middle Eastern oil exports pass through this narrow waterway to reach international markets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva to attend the second round of high-level nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026. US President Donald Trump said he would be ‘indirectly’ involved in the discussions, describing them as highly important and expressing belief that Iran was interested in reaching an agreement. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi is again serving as mediator.

In the first round of talks, held under Omani mediation, Tehran pledged to reduce uranium enrichment by 60 percent. Araghchi stated that Iran came to the second round with practical proposals aimed at achieving a ‘fair and balanced’ agreement. On the US side, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to participate, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that reaching a deal would not be easy despite diplomatic opportunities.

Ahead of the meeting, Iran reiterated that no agreement would be possible without easing sanctions and rejected any demand for zero uranium enrichment, insisting that any deal must be based on mutual concessions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began a series of military exercises on Monday in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to the country’s state media. The drills are being conducted under the supervision of the IRGC’s top commander and involve naval forces operating in the key Gulf waterway.

The report from Tehran, citing AFP, noted that the exercises follow the recent deployment of a large U.S. naval fleet in the Gulf region. Iranian state television said the maneuvers are intended to strengthen regional security, reflecting Tehran’s position that the drills are defensive in nature.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route for global energy shipments, and the timing of the IRGC’s exercises suggests heightened military activity in the area following increased U.S. presence.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for a second round of nuclear talks with the United States, aimed at easing tensions and preventing a new military conflict. In a post on social media platform X on Monday, Araghchi stated that Iran will not surrender in the face of threats.

Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any attack on Iran could escalate into a regional conflict. Araghchi said he came to Geneva to achieve a fair and just agreement, emphasizing that surrender to threats is not on the negotiation table. The renewed discussions between Iran and the United States began earlier this month.

Araghchi also mentioned that Iranian nuclear experts would meet with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi on Monday. Iran has repeatedly asserted that it will not accept Washington’s demand to reduce uranium enrichment to zero and that its missile program will not be part of the negotiations.

Iran has called on the United States to conduct discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program without Israeli influence. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the negotiation process is continuing and that regional countries are trying to help make it successful. He emphasized that Iran is ready to cooperate in the talks.

Larijani stated that the process should not be prolonged and that Iran’s missile program will not be part of the negotiations, arguing that including other issues could disrupt progress. He described the missile program as a domestic matter tied to national security and separate from the nuclear program. He also said the idea of reducing uranium enrichment to zero is not on the table, noting that Iran has already mastered the technology and uses enriched uranium for health research and medical purposes.

Larijani accused Israel of interfering in the talks and destabilizing the Middle East, asserting that Iran’s discussions are solely with the United States and not with Israel.

Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has warned that any U.S. military action against Tehran would serve as a ‘lesson’ for President Donald Trump. Speaking after Trump’s recent remarks, Mousavi said that if Trump truly seeks war, he should not simultaneously talk about negotiations. His comments were reported by TRT World.

On Friday, President Trump stated that regime change in Iran might be the ‘best solution’ and indicated that if ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran fail, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford would soon be deployed to the region. Mousavi described Trump’s comments as reckless and reiterated that discussions and war threats cannot go hand in hand.

Earlier, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to intensify economic pressure on Iran, particularly targeting its oil sales to China. However, a senior U.S. official noted differences between the two leaders on how to achieve this goal, with Netanyahu doubting the reliability of any deal with Iran while Trump maintained that an agreement remains possible.

The U.S.-based social media platform X has removed blue verification badges from several senior Iranian officials’ accounts following allegations that it provided paid services to individuals under U.S. sanctions. The action came after a report by the Tech Transparency Project claimed that X’s paid subscription service, X Premium, was available to sanctioned Iranian figures.

Among those whose verification was revoked are Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. Under U.S. sanctions law, American companies are prohibited from conducting business with certain individuals and entities. X has not issued any official comment on the matter.

The platform, owned by Elon Musk, had previously faced criticism for altering the design of the Iranian flag emoji on its web platform during protests in Iran, replacing the Islamic Republic emblem with the older “lion and sun” symbol associated with monarchist groups.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized the Munich Security Conference, calling it the “Munich Circus” in a post on social media platform X on Saturday. He accused the European Union and the E3 group of losing influence in discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program and said the annual conference had become ineffective on Iran-related issues. Araghchi also blamed the EU and Germany for failures in regional policy.

He argued that Europe, once a key diplomatic player, is now “completely absent from the scene.” According to him, the paralysis and declining influence of the EU and E3 in ongoing nuclear talks are evident. Araghchi further alleged that Germany had “completely handed over” its regional policies to Israel and that the EU’s inability to shape the direction of nuclear negotiations had already been proven.

The 62nd Munich Security Conference, which began on Friday, gathered leaders and ministers from over 60 countries, though Iranian officials were barred from attending. Meanwhile, exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah, said U.S. military intervention could accelerate political change inside Iran, highlighting divisions among Iranian opposition groups.

Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi announced at the Munich Security Conference that he is ready to lead Iran toward a secular and democratic future. He called on the United States to take active steps to support political change in Iran. Addressing nearly two hundred thousand supporters, Pahlavi pledged to guide the country toward transparent and democratic elections.

During the rally, participants chanted slogans supporting the former monarchy and waved green, white, and red flags featuring the lion and sun emblem, symbolizing the deposed royal regime. A 62-year-old protester described Iran’s current government as a dead system. Pahlavi also urged Iranians at home and abroad to continue protests, instructing them to chant from their homes and rooftops at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday and Sunday.

Parallel demonstrations took place from Los Angeles to Washington’s National Park and in Toronto, where protesters demanded immediate action from the US president. Meanwhile, the United States has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to increase military pressure on Tehran.