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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following Gang of Eight briefing on Iran: Look, this is serious. The administration has to make its case to the American people

U.S. military presence in the Middle East is “among the largest in more than two decades” — WaPo

A U.S. Central Command official confirms that 12 F-22 fighter jets landed this afternoon at an air base in southern Israel as part of Washington’s regional military buildup in the Middle East. - Kan News

Another warship has joined the US Navy’s large Middle East buildup, a defense official says. USS John Finn, a destroyer, entered the CENTCOM region within the last 72 hours. There’s now 12 American ships positioned near Iran, and several more in the Mediterranean

Lebanon foreign minister said there are indications that Israel could strike strategic infrastructure in Lebanon, including Beirut airport, according to Al Arabiya. Youssef Raggi said diplomatic efforts are under way to spare the country from the risk of war and escalation

The Iranian army: The United States has a flawed understanding of Iran, and any foolish action it takes will lead to material and moral losses for it.

The Iranian army: Iran is capable of withstanding any pressure, and any show of force aimed at gaining leverage at the negotiating table is a miscalculation.

Israel sent an indirect message to Lebanon that it would strike the country hard, including civilian infrastructure such as the airport, if Hezbollah becomes involved in any war between the United States and Iran, two senior Lebanese officials told Reuters

Iran is close to a deal with China to purchase anti‑ship cruise missiles, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations, just as the United States deploys a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes

The Iranian government on renewed university protests: Students have the right to demonstrate, but they must not cross "red lines." This is the first official Iranian response to the renewed university protests since the end of last week.

Trump refers to the report about the warning by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Cain, and writes on his website: "Many fake news stories are being circulated that quote General Dan Cain as someone who opposes going to war with Iran. This story is 100 percent false. General Cain, like all of us, does not want war, but believes that if such a decision is made, the war will be easily won. He knows Iran and is the one who was responsible for Operation Midnight Hammer. He did not talk about not going to war with Iran or even about the fake limited strikes that I read about. He knows one thing - how to win, and if we direct him, he will lead in it. I am the one who will make the decision. I would prefer a deal, but if there is no deal, it will be a very bad day for this country (Iran), and unfortunately for its people as well. They are great and something like this should never happen to them."

US official confirms what Iran's Aragchi & Oman's mediator announced yesterday - “We can confirm that Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with the Iranians on Thursday in Geneva.”

The UAE Foreign Minister, during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, stressed the importance of the success of talks between Washington and Tehran to consolidate security in the region.

WSJ: The Pentagon has outlined its concerns to President Trump regarding a prolonged military campaign against Iran, noting that the war plans under consideration involve risks including American and allied casualties, the depletion of air defenses, and troop exhaustion

Iraq asks all of its students in Iran to leave Iran urgently - Yalla

Student protests at universities and higher-education campuses across Iran have continued for a third consecutive day, with government security forces responding with violence

Iran's deputy foreign minister warns of the risk of "escalation" if his country is attacked.

As part of the United States' massive buildup of military forces in the Middle East, American refueler planes are spotted at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. There is no comment from Israeli authorities regarding the American deployment at Israel's main civilian airport

The US Department of State has ordered non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members to leave Lebanon, per a senior State official. US Embassy Beirut "remains operational with core staff in place,” the official said, calling it “a temporary measure”

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: We do not initiate aggression against other countries, but we are adept at defending our homeland firmly.

USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier arrives at Souda Bay on the island of Crete, Greece, February 23, 2026. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Five major Iranian Kurdish groups — many with armed wings — announced a new unified coalition called the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan. The alliance says its goals are to: — Overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran. — Advance Kurdish self-determination. — Establish a democratic political framework in Iranian Kurdistan. The groups are mostly based in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and frame the move as political coordination

Iran: Any US attack, even a limited one, will be considered an act of aggression.

Iranian Foreign Ministry: We will accept an agreement that takes our national interests into account, and the other side must understand that our nuclear program is peaceful.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: Returning to a broader level of oversight depends on receiving tangible concessions, particularly regarding the lifting of economic sanctions.

Additional footage from the city of Parand in Iran's Tehran province. Eyewitnesses report observing three distinct columns of smoke in the area

The New York Times reports on six Iranian officials: Khamenei has expanded Ali Larijani's role in crisis management since the recent protests. Khamenei has established a four-tiered succession plan for officials in the event of their assassination, including his own

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee's remarks are clear evidence of Washington's involvement in Israel's expansionist wars

Student protests erupted today at key universities in Tehran and Mashhad, with demonstrators chanting anti-regime slogans like “Death to Khamenei” and “Freedom.” Some even called on the U.S. to intervene, declaring they would “finish the job.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry: Designating EU naval and air forces as terrorist organizations is based on the principle of reciprocity.