EconoTicker

An unnamed security source told Channel 12 that the operation had been jointly planned for months. The source claimed Israel entered the operation “with full force,” while the United States is “in agreement.”

The same source said the “initial phase” of the joint strike is expected to last four days. The TV report added that the timing of the first wave was designed for morning hours to maximize surprise, arguing the Islamic Republic did not expect an attack in daylight.

Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not satisfied with the recent U.S.–Iran talks, reiterating that Tehran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and should not retain uranium enrichment capability.

Source: Channel 12; Statements attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump

Al Jazeera cited a U.S. official as saying the United States is conducting joint strikes with Israel on Tehran, as Israel announced it had launched attacks and explosions were reported in the Iranian capital.

Other reporting has not fully converged on the level of U.S. participation: AP cited sources saying the U.S. is participating, while Reuters said it remains unclear whether Washington is directly involved.

Source: Al Jazeera; Associated Press; Reuters

Israel’s military said it targeted missile-launch positions and Hezbollah’s underground tunnel infrastructure in southern Lebanon early this morning, in what appears to be another escalation point along the border front.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance argued that Washington should avoid repeating past military mistakes—but also avoid “overlearning the lessons of the past.” He said that one president’s mishandling of a conflict shouldn’t mean the U.S. can never engage in military action again, stressing that future use of force must be careful and deliberate. The remarks come as the Trump administration weighs options amid heightened tensions and ongoing diplomacy around Iran.

Source: The Washington Post (interview); Fox News

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a confidential report circulated to member states on Friday, February 27 (8 Esfand) and seen by Reuters, said a quantity of highly enriched uranium—close to weapons-grade—is being stored in an underground area at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site.

Reuters reported this is the first time the IAEA has identified where Iran’s uranium enriched up to 60% is being kept. For a nuclear weapon, uranium enriched to around 90% is typically required.

Diplomats also said the entrance to the tunnel complex was targeted in U.S. and Israeli military strikes in June, but the facility appears to have remained largely intact.

Source: Reuters; International Atomic Energy Agency (confidential report)

According to Fars News Agency, Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi claimed the most important achievement in the negotiations is a “zero stockpiling” arrangement—under which Iran would not stockpile enriched material. He also said there is an understanding that existing enriched uranium stocks would be diluted to the lowest possible level and converted into fuel, adding that this fuel would be irreversible. Busaidi concluded that, in his view, an agreement has been reached on this point.

Source: Fars News Agency; Statements attributed to Oman Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi is set to meet U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and other senior officials in Washington on Friday (8 Esfand / Feb. 27), in what appears to be an unannounced follow-up push to keep the U.S.–Iran track alive and stave off military escalation.

The meeting comes a day after indirect Iran–U.S. talks in Geneva, which ended without a deal but with Oman describing “significant progress,” and with technical-level discussions expected to move to Vienna next week.

Source: Reuters; MS NOW.

White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were disappointed by what they heard from the Iranian side in the morning session of the Geneva talks, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said, citing a source familiar with the negotiations.

Separately, reporting citing the Wall Street Journal says the U.S. put forward a proposal that would require Iran to destroy/dismantle key nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan) and hand over all enriched uranium stockpiles, alongside a push for a tougher, more permanent framework.

An Iranian official told Al Jazeera, according to multiple reports, that Tehran has rejected permanent “zero enrichment,” dismantling facilities, and transferring uranium stockpiles abroad—underscoring how far apart the sides remain even as talks continue.

Source: Axios (Barak Ravid); The Wall Street Journal; Al Jazeera.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the latest round of indirect U.S.–Iran talks in Geneva lasted more than six hours and was among the most serious exchanges between the two sides.

Araqchi said Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi served as intermediaries/technical facilitators, and claimed “good progress,” adding that the parties “seriously entered the elements of an agreement” on both nuclear issues and sanctions.

He added that technical teams from both sides will begin work next Monday in Vienna, at the IAEA’s headquarters, and that the next political round could take place in about a week.

Source: Financial Times; The Guardian; Anadolu Agency.

Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, said the U.S.–Iran talks made “significant progress” and will resume soon after consultations in the respective capitals.

He added that technical-level discussions will take place next week in Vienna, indicating the process is moving into verification-and-implementation details after the latest round in Geneva.

Source: Badr Albusaidi (X); Associated Press.

Ahmad Samadi, a reporter for Iran International at the venue, said the Geneva talks between the Islamic Republic and the United States have ended, and the delegations are leaving the location.

Source: Iran International (Ahmad Samadi).

Iranian state TV reporting says Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been added to the Geneva U.S.–Iran talks in the role of a technical observer—a signal that verification, inspection mechanics, and compliance language are increasingly central to the negotiation track.

International coverage of the Geneva round has also referenced Grossi’s presence alongside the Omani-mediated talks, underscoring the IAEA’s potential role in monitoring any nuclear commitments if a framework advances.

Source: IRIB News ; Financial Times ; AP