EconoTicker

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said in a Fox News interview that he hopes Iran takes Thursday’s negotiations seriously, emphasizing that President Donald Trump still prefers a diplomatic solution.

Vance said Trump has been “crystal clear” that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and that Washington will try to achieve that objective through diplomacy, while also noting the president has other tools available if needed.

Asked whether preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon implies removing Iran’s leader, Vance said the decision is ultimately up to the U.S. president.

Source: Fox News interview, as reported by Reuters.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry has summoned Iran’s ambassador in The Hague to protest the seizure and search of a Dutch diplomat’s luggage at Tehran’s international airport—calling the incident “unacceptable” and a breach of international rules on diplomatic immunity.

Dutch officials say the bag was taken upon the diplomat’s arrival and that the Netherlands has repeatedly demanded the immediate return of the seized items; the summons reportedly came after Iran published footage of the incident.

Iranian state-linked reporting has claimed the suitcase contained “unauthorized communications equipment,” including items such as satellite phones and a portable satellite-internet device; Dutch officials have rejected those allegations and argue that even if such a claim were made, handling of diplomatic luggage must follow diplomatic protocols.

Source: Dutch Foreign Ministry statement / Reuters; Iranian state-media reporting cited by regional outlets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he sees a “good outlook” for upcoming talks with the United States as a delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Geneva for what is being described as the third round of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Pezeshkian said Iran has tried—“with the guidance of the Supreme Leader”—to manage the process in a way that removes the country from a “no war, no peace” situation.

The meeting is reported as scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 (which corresponds to 7 Esfand 1404). Some Persian reposts circulate “7 Bahman,” but given the context (“Wednesday, 6 Esfand” followed by “tomorrow/Thursday”), the date is widely reported as 7 Esfand.

Reuters also reported (citing a senior U.S. official) that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are slated to meet the Iranian delegation in Geneva.

Source: Reuters; corroborating Iranian/Persian-language reporting (including Radio Farda and Iranian outlets citing state media).

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Hamas is expected to be given an ultimatum “in the coming days” to disarm and fully demilitarize Gaza, warning that if it refuses, the IDF will “enter and conquer” the territory and move toward full control.

In the same remarks, Smotrich argued that a refusal to disarm would provide Israel with broader international legitimacy and U.S. backing to escalate operations, and he reiterated his stance that Israel would ultimately occupy Gaza—including calls to reestablish Israeli settlements there.

Source: Smotrich interview/comments to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, as reported by multiple outlets.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that 12 U.S. F-22 stealth fighters landed at an Israeli Air Force base in southern Israel, as part of Washington’s broader force posture shift amid heightened tensions around Iran.

Earlier, The Times of Israel—citing flight-tracking/OSINT reporting—said the U.S. had begun moving 12 F-22s east after they staged at RAF Lakenheath (UK), with aircraft seen linking up with KC-46 tankers during the transit.

The deployment fits into a wider U.S. air-and-sea buildup in the region that multiple outlets say is the largest in years as diplomacy continues alongside military contingency planning.

Source: KAN (via Anadolu/Israel Hayom); Times of Israel; Washington Post; Wall Street Journal.

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton said Iran should take Donald Trump seriously and stop supporting militias and end its missile program. He warned that otherwise the Islamic Republic would face military action, adding: “Our offer is clear—accept the demands or face bombing.”

Source: Statement attributed to Sen. Tom Cotton (as provided).

The Washington Post reported—based on public flight-tracking data and satellite imagery—that the U.S. military has quickly expanded its posture in Europe and the Middle East since the second round of U.S.–Iran nuclear talks ended in Oman on February 17 without progress, moving more than 150 aircraft into the region’s broader theater.

Source: The Washington Post (OSINT flight tracking + satellite imagery).

Axios reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe will join Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a classified White House briefing for senior U.S. congressional leaders on Iran on Tuesday, 5 Esfand (Feb 24), as the Trump administration weighs next steps. Separately, Reuters reported Rubio was scheduled to brief the “Gang of Eight” on Iran the same day.

Source: Axios (as cited by the report); Reuters.

U.S. Representative Don Bacon posted on X ahead of President Donald Trump’s annual address to Congress that it is a good moment to hear the president’s intent on Iran, but stressed that a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to the United States and its allies.

Bacon also claimed Iran’s IRGC has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,000 Americans through attacks carried out by proxy forces it has armed, funded, trained, and directed. He added that the world cannot remain passive while, he alleged, Iran’s regime has killed about 50,000 of its own people, arguing the regime has been killing Iranians and Americans since 1979.

Source: Don Bacon’s post on X (as provided).

Ahead of U.S.–Iran talks reportedly set for Thursday, 7 Esfand (Feb 26) in Geneva, Donald Trump said Iran “really wants a deal.” A Fox News reporter quoted Trump on X as saying: “Important talks are taking place Thursday in Geneva. Iran really wants a deal. But Iran can’t say, ‘We will not build a nuclear weapon.’”

Source: Fox News reporter’s post on X quoting Donald Trump.

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick said President Donald Trump has issued Iran an ultimatum and could turn to greater military force if Tehran does not respond. Speaking to CNBC, McCormick accused the Islamic Republic of having “blood on its hands” involving Americans and Israelis, warned it has used its nuclear capabilities to threaten the U.S., and said it has supported terrorism in the Middle East for decades.

He added: “I think what we’re doing now is tightening the ring of pressure—Trump is trying to pressure Tehran to act responsibly.”

Source: Remarks attributed to Sen. Dave McCormick in an interview with CNBC.

Germany’s embassy in Israel advised German citizens to be prepared for the possibility that Israel’s airspace could close in the event of Iranian attacks—meaning they may need to remain in their current locations for an extended period. The embassy reportedly cautioned that, in such a scenario, the ability of the embassy and Germany’s Foreign Ministry to provide assistance would be very limited. It also recommended installing a missile-alert app on phones to receive real-time warnings.

Source: German Embassy guidance as reported by Israel’s Channel 12.