Articles in this Cluster
20-02-2026
US President Donald Trump has stated that the world has 10 days to see if Iran will agree to a deal or face 'bad things'. Trump made the comments at the first meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington DC, saying that talks with Iran have been 'very good' but historically difficult. The US has surged military forces to the Middle East, while Iran has warned that it will regard US bases in the region as legitimate targets if used in any military aggression. Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans have voiced opposition to any potential military action without congressional approval. The situation remains tense, with the US having used military force against Iranian nuclear facilities in the past and Iran reinforcing its military facilities.
Entities: Donald Trump, Iran, United States, Washington DC, Middle East • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The White House is pressing Iran to make a deal with the US, while simultaneously ramping up its military presence in the region. Despite reports of progress in US-Iran talks in Switzerland, the US has moved a second battleship into the region and is considering fresh military action against Iran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump is still hoping for a diplomatic resolution over Tehran's nuclear programme, but warned that Iran would be 'very wise' to make a deal with the US. The US and Iran have indicated that there has been some progress in talks, but key issues remain unresolved. The US has been increasing its military presence near Iran, with the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford deployed to the region. Iran has responded by launching a maritime drill in the Strait of Hormuz.
Entities: White House, Iran, US, Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The US is building up its military presence in the Middle East, with the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier heading towards the Mediterranean Sea and scores of US warplanes joining the 'armada' as President Trump pushes Iran to make a deal on its nuclear program. Top national security officials have told Trump that the US military is ready for potential strikes on Iran as soon as Saturday, but the timeline for any action is likely to extend beyond this weekend. The massive military buildup includes a surge of US military aircraft to Europe and the Middle East, with over 50 aircraft identified flying east from US military airfields on both coasts. The USS Ford is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in the Arabian Sea, within striking distance of Iran.
Entities: USS Gerald R. Ford, Iran, President Trump, United States, Middle East • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned of the urgency in reaching a diplomatic agreement between the US and Iran to prevent a war, citing the risk posed by Iran's enriched nuclear material. Despite US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, Grossi stated that most of the material remains intact. The US and Iran have made progress in recent negotiations in Geneva, but a US official noted that there are still many details to discuss. Meanwhile, President Trump has increased the US military presence in the region, threatening new strikes if no agreement is reached. Grossi emphasized the need to avoid another military confrontation, citing the risk of spillover and expansion to other countries.
Entities: Rafael Grossi, Iran, United States, Geneva, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The US President Donald Trump has discussed a potential timeline for military strikes on Iran, with top national security officials indicating the military is ready to act as soon as Saturday. However, no final decision has been made, and the timeline is likely to extend beyond this weekend. The White House is weighing the risks of escalation and the consequences of restraint. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is moving some personnel out of the Middle East region, and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group is already in the region. Iranian and American negotiators held talks on Iran's nuclear program, but the Trump administration said they are still far apart on some issues.
Entities: Donald Trump, Iran, United States, Israel, Marco Rubio • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has blocked US President Donald Trump's request to use UK air bases for a potential strike on Iran, citing concerns over international law. The UK government is worried that allowing the US to use the bases would be a breach of international law. Trump has since withdrawn his support for a deal that would hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in exchange for a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia military base. The decision has sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries.
Entities: Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, UK, US, Iran • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The US is preparing for a potential military strike against Iran amid ongoing diplomatic talks. Iran has taken steps to prepare for war, including fortifying its nuclear sites, rebuilding missile production facilities, and appointing war veterans to national security structures. Satellite imagery analysis reveals that Iran has made significant progress in rebuilding damaged facilities, including missile bases and nuclear sites. The Iranian government has also reshaped its governance structure, forming a new Defense Council to govern in times of war. The situation remains tense, with the US military buildup in the Middle East and Iran's continued crackdown on domestic dissent.
Entities: Iran, US, Israel, Donald Trump, Abbas Araghchi • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
President Trump has extended the timeline for negotiations with Iran to 10-15 days as U.S. military assets build up in the Middle East. Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss commented that this would be an ideal time for Trump to demonstrate statesmanship. The news comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate.
Entities: President Trump, Iran, United States, Middle East, Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The article reports that Iran has repositioned its military assets, including strike drones, during joint drills with Russia in the Strait of Hormuz, according to defense expert Cameron Chell. This move is seen as a 'calculated escalation' amid rising tensions with the US. The US has increased its military presence in the region, with the deployment of F/A-18 Super Hornets and MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones. President Donald Trump has pressed Iran to make a deal to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions, stating that 'we're going to make a deal, or we're going to get a deal one way or the other.' The situation has heightened regional tensions, with NATO country Poland warning its citizens to immediately flee Iran due to the 'possibility of a conflict being very real.'
Entities: Iran, Russia, Strait of Hormuz, Cameron Chell, US • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
An Iranian opposition figure, Alireza Jafarzadeh, claims that Iran is secretly rebuilding its nuclear sites damaged in previous US strikes, despite ongoing nuclear talks with the US. Satellite images show reconstruction activity at the Isfahan nuclear complex, one of the sites targeted in a US military operation in June. Jafarzadeh argues that Iran is preparing for war and that the talks are merely a tactical delay to avoid confrontation with the West. The rebuilding efforts involve restoring uranium enrichment capabilities, with the regime having invested at least $2 trillion in its nuclear program.
Entities: Alireza Jafarzadeh, National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran, United States, Isfahan nuclear complex • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The US has moved nearly 6,000 ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq amid security concerns. The detainees, described as 'the worst of the worst,' were being held in northern Syria by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US officials believed that if the prisons collapsed in the chaos, the consequences would be catastrophic. The operation to transfer the detainees was a multi-agency effort involving the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the State Department, and CENTCOM. The Iraqi government cooperated with the US, recognizing the threat posed by a potential breakout. The detainees are now being held in a facility near Baghdad International Airport under Iraqi authority.
Entities: ISIS, Syria, Iraq, US, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned citizens to immediately leave Iran due to a 'very real' risk of conflict, amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran over Iran's nuclear program. The US has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, with two aircraft carriers and accompanying warships deployed to the region. Tusk's warning comes as the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is moving towards the Middle East.
Entities: Donald Tusk, Iran, United States, Poland, Middle East • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
Russia has called on Iran and other parties in the Middle East to exercise restraint and caution amid a US military buildup in the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is moving towards the Middle East as tensions between the US and Iran escalate over Iran's nuclear program. Despite recent negotiations between the two countries, sharp public divisions remain, with the US demanding the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program and limits on its ballistic missile program. Russia's Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for political and diplomatic means to resolve the crisis, urging all parties to prioritize caution and restraint.
Entities: Russia, Iran, United States, USS Gerald R. Ford, Dmitry Peskov • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The US military is assembling a significant force within striking distance of Iran, including two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, numerous destroyers, and a large number of combat aircraft. The buildup includes air defense assets, aerial refueling tankers, and flying control centers. The exact purpose of this military power is still speculative, but it suggests a potential prolonged air campaign rather than a one-off attack. The US has been moving military hardware into the region over the past 10 days, with a significant presence now in the Middle East. Iran has been tracked with several naval vessels, including a drone carrier, in the Strait of Hormuz.
Entities: US, Iran, Donald Trump, USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald Ford • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The UK has not agreed to allow the US to launch air strikes against Iran from British bases, according to Sky News. The UK has deployed six F-35 warplanes to Cyprus and four Typhoon jets to Qatar to bolster its defences in case of an Iranian counterattack. US President Donald Trump has been surging forces to the Middle East and has threatened military action against Iran if talks fail. Trump has also criticized the UK's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, suggesting it would impact the US's ability to use the base on Diego Garcia for military operations against Iran.
Entities: UK, US, Iran, Donald Trump, Diego Garcia • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The article discusses the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran as a second American aircraft carrier nears the Middle East. President Donald Trump warned of 'bad things' if Iran doesn't make a deal on its nuclear program. Iran held annual military drills with Russia, and both sides signaled they are prepared for war if talks fizzle out. The US has increased its military presence in the region, with additional warships and airplanes deployed. The situation is becoming increasingly volatile, with concerns of a potential US strike on Iran.
Entities: Donald Trump, Iran, United States, Russia, Middle East • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
The article discusses President Trump's consideration of military action against Iran, drawing parallels with President George W. Bush's lead-up to the Iraq War. Trump has not made a clear case for why military action is necessary, unlike Bush who, despite making a flawed case, at least presented a rationale. Trump's goals are unclear, and he has not sought congressional approval or explained why he is prioritizing Iran over other threats like North Korea. The article highlights the lack of international support, with even close allies like Britain expressing skepticism and refusing to participate in military planning. Trump's national security strategy and negotiations with Iran are also scrutinized, with experts questioning the feasibility of his objectives and the potential consequences of military action.
Entities: Donald Trump, Iran, George W. Bush, Iraq, Saddam Hussein • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
Iran has warned that US bases, facilities, and assets in the region would be 'legitimate targets' if the United States follows through on its military threats and attacks. The warning was made by Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council. The letter was in response to US President Donald Trump's statement that the US may need to use UK military bases to attack Iran if it does not make a deal. Trump has deployed warships, fighter jets, and other military hardware to the Middle East to block Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Iran has maintained that it is committed to diplomatic solutions and addressing ambiguities regarding its peaceful nuclear program.
Entities: Iran, United States, Donald Trump, Amir Saeid Iravani, Antonio Guterres • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
20-02-2026
US President Donald Trump's Middle East objectives are at risk of colliding due to escalating tensions with Iran. A potential US military attack on Iran as early as the weekend of February 21-22 could derail Trump's high-profile Gaza peace initiative, announced at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting. The plan includes a $17 billion pledge and a proposed 32,000-strong International Stabilisation Force. Experts have criticized the plan for minimal Palestinian involvement and lack of operational details. The proposed anti-Hamas militias risk inter-Palestinian conflict.
Entities: Donald Trump, Iran, Gaza, United States, Board of Peace • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
