Donald Trump has once again raised the possibility of fresh military action against Iran, even as fragile ceasefire conditions and backchannel negotiations continue.

Recent statements suggest that “all options remain on the table,” including renewed strikes, as Washington expresses dissatisfaction with Tehran’s latest proposal. At the same time, Trump has publicly weighed the choice between escalation and diplomacy, asking whether to “blast” Iran or pursue a deal.

While the administration has claimed that hostilities have been “terminated” for now, it has also made clear that future strikes could still be launched if talks fail. Legal and political debates are also intensifying in Washington over war powers and the scope of presidential authority.

Trump Speaks To Media: Hints At Renewed Strikes On Iran 

This non-verbal system is not merely a preference but a survival requirement, as the roar of jet turbines renders vocal commands useless. 

This non-verbal system is not merely a preference but a survival requirement, as the roar of jet turbines renders vocal commands useless.&nbsp;

What essential hand signals are used by deck crew on USS Abraham Lincoln to avoid catastrophic errors during operations?

An Iranian warship has docked at Kochi port in India after reporting technical issues, even as tensions escalate in the region. The docking of the Iranian vessel IRIS Lavan came shortly after reports that the United States sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel.

Indian authorities allowed the warship to dock on humanitarian grounds, providing assistance to the crew while the vessel undergoes checks and possible repairs. The move highlights India’s careful diplomatic balancing amid escalating military tensions in West Asia.

U.S. Sinks Iranian Frigate: India Offers Humanitarian Docking to Iran Warship 

Anti-regime anger persists in Iran despite fading protests, with fresh gatherings targeting Khamenei. Conflicting death tolls fuel tensions as nuclear talks with the US continue, even as Trump’s strict red lines on uranium enrichment keep diplomatic and military options open.

Anti-regime anger persists in Iran despite fading protests, with fresh gatherings targeting Khamenei. Conflicting death tolls fuel tensions as nuclear talks with the US continue, even as Trump’s strict red lines on uranium enrichment keep diplomatic and military options open.

'Death to Khamenei': Anti-regime sentiments still simmering in Iran, shots fired: Will Trump attack Tehran?

"For 47 years, America has been unable to eliminate the Islamic Republic." Addressing a gathering on February 17, 2026, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei mocked President Trump’s regime-change rhetoric, warning that the "strongest military" can still be struck down.

"For 47 years, America has been unable to eliminate the Islamic Republic." Addressing a gathering on February 17, 2026, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei mocked President Trump’s regime-change rhetoric, warning that the "strongest military" can still be struck down.

‘You will fail too’: Khamenei mocks Trump for claims of 47 years of inability to eliminate Iran

As the second round of talk between US and Iran is underway in Geneva, Supreme leader Ali Khamenei has highlighted America’s rhetoric; he said “The US President keeps saying that they have the strongest military force in the world.” This comment comes after Trump’s threats that Iran will have to face consequences if the deal doesn’t fall through.&nbsp;Ahead of the talks in Switzerland, the US president said, "They want to make a deal... We have peace in the Middle East. You will see some flames here and there, but we essentially have peace in the Middle East. That happened because we did a B-2 attack on the nuclear potential."&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The US President keeps saying that they have the strongest military force in the world. The strongest military force in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot get up again.&mdash; Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/2023705346523480312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

To which Khamenei responded, “The strongest military force in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot get up again. They keep saying we have sent aircraft carriers toward Iran. Very well… an aircraft carrier is indeed a dangerous asset, but more dangerous than the carrier is the weapon that can send this carrier to the bottom of the sea.” <h2>US deploys world’s largest aircraft carrier to Middle East</h2> The US is sending USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to the Middle East, where USS Abraham Lincolnis already stationed. America is creating a "dual carrier" presence. It seems like Donald Trump’s strategy to persuade Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme, which may potentially extend to its missile programme as well. A day after hosting Israeli President Netanyahu, Trump told reporters, "We have to make a deal, otherwise it's going to be very traumatic, very traumatic. I don't want that to happen, but we have to make a deal. This will be very traumatic for Iran if they don't make a deal." The deployment of the largest warship ever constructed comes after the US president’s sharp comments. Last year in July, US which was brokering peace between the warring nations, struck Iran and also caused damage to its nuclear facilities. Referring to the talks and deal, he added, "We'll see if we can get a deal with them, and if we can't, we'll have to go to phase two. Phase two will be very tough for them.”

Ahead of the talks in Switzerland, the US president said, "They want to make a deal... We have peace in the Middle East.

As the second round of talk between US and Iran is underway in Geneva, Supreme leader Ali Khamenei has highlighted America’s rhetoric; he said “The US President keeps saying that they have the strongest military force in the world.” This comment comes after Trump’s threats that Iran will have to face consequences if the deal doesn’t fall through. Ahead of the talks in Switzerland, the US president said, "They want to make a deal... We have peace in the Middle East. You will see some flames here and there, but we essentially have peace in the Middle East. That happened because we did a B-2 attack on the nuclear potential."

Ahead of the talks in Switzerland, the US president said, "They want to make a deal... We have peace in the Middle East.

Trump touts ‘strongest military’; Khamenei warns US could be 'struck so hard cannot get up again'

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Trump Speaks To Media: Hints At Renewed Strikes On Iran

Essential hand signals used by deck crew on USS Abraham Lincoln to avoid errors?

U.S. Sinks Iranian Frigate: India Offers Humanitarian Docking to Iran Warship

'Death to Khamenei': Anti-regime sentiments still simmering in Iran, shots fired

‘You will fail too’: Khamenei mocks Trump for claims

Trump touts ‘strongest military’; Khamenei warns US could be 'struck so hard...'