As President Donald Trump’s 10-day ultimatum to Tehran ticks down toward early March 2026, the United States is currently executing one of its largest military buildups in the Middle East in decades. 



'Midnight hammer trap': Is Israel forcing US into a war with Iran?

Trump has consistently campaigned against dragging the US into "endless wars" or massive, boots-on-the-ground invasions like Iraq. A decapitation strike aligns perfectly with his preference for sudden, high-impact, surgical operations. 

'Mojtaba option': Inside Trump’s classified option to decapitate Iran’s leadership

If a ghost tanker posed a kinetic threat, the carrier's air wing would neutralize it without the ship ever needing to engage.



'Kamikaze': Can Iran crash ghost oil tankers into USS Abraham Lincoln to sink it?

With President Donald Trump’s strict "10-to-15 day" deadline expiring in the first week of March 2026, the strategic window in the Middle East is rapidly closing.

'10-day deadline': Could Iran sink USS Abraham Lincoln before Trump orders strike?

The military buildup, the diplomatic impasse, and the strategic chessboard as the Middle East braces for a looming deadline.



Will Trump attack Iran in first week of March? Here's what we know

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the government has released a list of 3,117 people, whom he described as “victims of recent terrorist operations," and added that anyone disputing the accuracy of the data should share evidence.

‘Iran will not bow its head to pressure from world powers,’ says President Masoud Pezeshkian

 The measures follow heightened warnings from Washington and come amid nearly stalled diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Is Iran preparing for war with US? fortified nuclear sites, drills in Hormuz Strait as Shamkhani takes command

The United States said on Thursday it had imposed sanctions on the Iranian construction sector and trade in four materials used in its military or nuclear programs, even as it waived sanctions to let foreign firms continue non-proliferation work in Iran.

United States imposes new Iran sanctions, but waives others

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday new US sanctions, under which Iran's central bank was blacklisted for a second time, pointed to US "desperation" in face of the Iranian resistance.

Rouhani says Iran resists sanctions, drives US 'desperate'

The White House on Sunday did not rule out a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, even after Washington accused Iran of being behind drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Trump may meet Iran leader Hassan Rouhani despite Saudi attacks: White House

A US warship may have brought down two Iranian drones during a stand-off in the Gulf last week, the commander of American forces in the region said on Tuesday. "We are confident we brought down one drone, we may have brought down a second," US Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie told CBS news in an interview aboard the USS Boxer, the vessel at the center of the incident.

US may have downed two Iranian drones last week: General

Iran on Thursday signalled a willingness to engage in diplomacy to defuse tensions with the United States with a modest offer on its nuclear programme that met immediate scepticism in Washington.

Iran floats offer on nuclear inspections; US sceptical

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman on Monday said Tehran welcomes any defusion of tensions in the Gulf region following weeks of deteriorating relations with US, news agency Reuters reported.

Iran says it welcomes any defusion of tensions in Gulf region: Report

The United States launched cyber attacks against Iranian missile control systems and a spy network this week after Tehran downed an American surveillance drone, US media reported on Saturday.

US launched cyber attacks on Iran after drone shootdown: Reports

US President Donald Trump on Saturday pledged to hit Iran with "major" new sanctions as Tehran warned Washington that any attack would see its interests across the Middle East go up in flames.

Trump vows new Iran sanctions, Tehran warns US against attack

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of an unmanned US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signalled he was open to talks with Tehran.

Trump says he aborted retaliatory strike to spare Iranian lives

Saudi Arabia and the UAE on Saturday called for decisive action to protect energy supplies amid a tense US-Iran standoff as two tankers attacked in a vital Gulf shipping channel headed to port.

Gulf powers urge action to secure energy supplies as tankers port-bound

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an advisory to US commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to simmer.

US issues warning on airspace near Gulf as Iran tensions simmer

us-iran-standoff

Us Iran Standoff, News on Us Iran Standoff, stories on Us Iran Standoff, articles on Us Iran Standoff, Us Iran Standoff stories at Wion, Us Iran Standoff news, Us Iran Standoff latest news

us iran-standoff

'Midnight hammer trap': Is Israel forcing US into a war with Iran?

Inside Trump’s classified option to decapitate Iran’s leadership

Can Iran crash ghost oil tankers into USS Abraham Lincoln to sink it?

''10-day deadline': Could Iran strike USS Abraham Lincoln first?