US President Donald Trump is considering a limited military strike on Iran “within days” as a way to pressure Tehran into agreeing to his demands for a nuclear deal, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the sources, the action would target select military or government sites. If Iran refuses to halt nuclear enrichment, the US could then escalate to a broader campaign against regime facilities, potentially aiming to topple the government, the outlet added. Trump previously indicated he would decide on next steps within 10 days, emphasizing that the US would secure a deal with Iran “one way or the other.” He later informed reporters that his timeline might last no more than two weeks.
Trump: Will find out about Iran in next 10 days
US President Donald Trump pointed out on Thursday that the US will “find out in about 10 days” regarding progress on negotiations with Iran, signaling a critical window for ongoing diplomatic talks. “We had good talks with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise, bad things will happen,” he said while introducing the participants of his inaugural board of peace meeting. “We do have some work to do with Iran. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. You cannot have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon. They’ve been told that very strongly,” he restated. Yesterday, the White House warned that Iran would be “very wise” to make a deal with the US, amid reports that Washington was weighing fresh military action against the Islamic Republic.
NN: I am waiting.
Brent Oil Price Tops $71
- Brent surged above $71.50 and WTI jumped past $66 as traders priced in the risk of U.S. military action against Iran.
- Concerns center on potential disruption to Iranian supply and broader Persian Gulf flows, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
- A tightening Brent futures curve and reluctance to buy sanctioned barrels suggest the physical market is firmer than expected. Following a 4% surge on Wednesday, oil prices advanced by another 1.6% in European trade early on Thursday to send Brent to above $71.50, the highest level in six months, as concerns about a U.S. military campaign in Iran intensified. The international benchmark, Brent Crude, was up by 1.71% at $71.55 in morning trade in Europe, as the U.S.-Iran talks appear to make no headway, while the U.S. is amassing military forces near the Persian Gulf. The U.S. benchmark oil prices, WTI Crude, also jumped to trade at $66.37 per barrel, up by 1.83% on the day, following the 4% surge at Wednesday’s settlement.
The U.S. Administration has warned Iran that it would be “very wise” to make a deal as diplomatic efforts and talks continue.
On Wednesday, Axios reported that the U.S. is moving closer to a war with Iran. A campaign in Iran would be nothing like the Venezuela blitz and could involve “a massive, weeks-long campaign,” Axios reported, citing sources. U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision about a possible military intervention, sources with knowledge of the discussions among top U.S. national security officials told CBS News. But the President has discussed options, including a strike that could be ordered as soon as this coming Saturday, according to the sources. “For oil markets, the concern is clearly what action would mean not only for Iranian oil supply, but also broader Persian Gulf oil flows, given the risk of disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz,” ING strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a Thursday note. Adding to the difficult U.S.-Iran talks, the Russia-Ukraine talks in Geneva also broke down without any breakthrough and pushed oil prices higher. Moreover, the shape of the ICE Brent futures curve suggests that the oil market is “tighter than what many analysts have been expecting, including us,” ING’s strategists said, noting that many buyers aren’t touching large volumes of sanctioned barrels, which is tightening supply.
NN: $100.00 anyone
US seen building largest Mideast air power since 2003
The United States positioned its largest concentration of air power in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US and foreign officials. United States President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to order strikes on Iran, though the buildup reportedly gives Washington the ability to conduct a prolonged campaign rather than a single strike. It includes F-35 and F-22 fighters, command-and-control aircraft and two aircraft carriers. The news comes after the US and Iranian negotiators met in Geneva on Tuesday for talks mediated by Oman.
NN: In the sense of fire power this is the largest build up of pure fire power in the Middle East ever
And it ain’t for show. Trump is going in and taking over the Middle East.
If he doesn’t Turkey wil
Satellite images show Iran repairing and fortifying sites amid US tensions
Satellite images show that Iran has recently built a concrete shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site and covered it in soil, experts say, advancing work at a location reportedly bombed by Israel in 2024 amid tensions with the U.S. Images also show that Iran has buried tunnel entrances at a nuclear site bombed by the U.S. during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran last year, fortified tunnel entrances near another, and has repaired missile bases struck in the conflict. They offer a glimpse of Iranian activities at some of the sites at the centre of tensions with Israel and the U.S., as Washington seeks to negotiate a deal with Tehran on its nuclear programme while threatening military action if talks fail.
Here are some images showing the changes:
PARCHIN MILITARY COMPLEX
A combination picture of satellite images show the Parchin military complex before the Israeli strikes of October, 2024, in this image dated October 20, 2024, (top row 1st), the Parchin military complex after the Israeli strikes of October, 2024, in this image dated October 27, 2024, (top row 2nd), the beginning of the site’s…Some 30 km (20 miles) southeast of Tehran, the Parchin complex is one of Iran’s most sensitive military sites. Western intelligence has suggested Tehran carried out tests relevant to nuclear bomb detonations there more than two decades ago. Iran has always denied seeking atomic weapons. Israel reportedly struck Parchin in October 2024. Satellite imagery taken before and after that attack shows extensive damage to a rectangular building at Parchin, and apparent reconstruction in images from November 6, 2024. Imagery from October 12, 2025 shows development at the site, with the skeleton of a new structure visible and two smaller structures adjacent to it. Progress is apparent in imagery from November 14, with what appears to be a metallic roof covering the large structure. But imagery from December 13 shows the facility partly covered. By February 16, it cannot be seen at all, hidden by what experts say is a concrete structure.
The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), in a January 22 analysis of satellite imagery, pointed to progress in the construction of a “concrete sarcophagus” around a newly built facility at the site, which it identified as Taleghan 2. ISIS reported in November that imagery showed “ongoing construction and the presence of what appears to resemble a long, cylindrical chamber, maybe a high-explosives containment vessel, likely measuring approximately 36 meters long and 12 meters in diameter placed inside a building”. “High-explosive containment vessels are critical to the development of nuclear weapons,” ISIS added, “but can also be used in many other conventional weapons development processes.”
William Goodhind, a forensic imagery analyst with Contested Ground, said the roof had a similar hue to the surrounding area, adding: “It has most likely been covered with dirt to obscure the concrete colour.”
ISIS founder David Albright wrote on X: “Stalling the negotiations has its benefits: Over the last two to three weeks, Iran has been busy burying the new Taleghan 2 facility … More soil is available and the facility may soon become a fully unrecognizable bunker, providing significant protection from aerial strikes.”
TUNNEL ENTRANCES BURIED AT ISFAHAN NUCLEAR COMPLEX
A satellite image shows tunnel entrances covered with soil at Isfahan nuclear complex, in Isfahan, Iran, February 10, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS
The Isfahan complex is one of three Iranian uranium-enrichment plants bombed by the United States in June.
In addition to facilities that are part of the nuclear fuel cycle, Isfahan includes an underground area where diplomats say much of Iran’s enriched uranium has been stored. Satellite images taken in late January showed new efforts to bury two tunnel entrances at the complex, ISIS reported on January 29. In a February 9 update, ISIS said a third entrance had also been backfilled with soil, meaning all entrances to the tunnel complex were now “completely buried”. A February 10 image shows all three tunnels buried, Goodhind said. ISIS reported on February 9 that “backfilling the tunnel entrances would help dampen any potential airstrike and also make ground access in a special forces raid to seize or destroy any highly enriched uranium that may be housed inside difficult”.
TUNNEL ENTRANCES FORTIFIED AT COMPLEX NEAR NATANZ SITE
A satellite image shows ongoing efforts to harden and strengthen a facility’s two tunnel entrances at a complex near Nantanz, Iran, February 10, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS
ISIS has reported that satellite images point to ongoing efforts since February 10 to “harden and defensively strengthen” two entrances to a tunnel complex under a mountain some 2 km (1.2 miles) from Natanz – the site that holds Iran’s other two uranium enrichment plants.
Imagery shows “ongoing activity throughout the complex related to this effort, involving the movement of numerous vehicles, including dump trucks, cement mixers, and other heavy equipment”, ISIS wrote. Iran’s plans for the facility, called Pickaxe Mountain, are unclear, ISIS said.
SHIRAZ SOUTH MISSILE BASE
A combination picture of satellite images shows Shiraz South Missile Base in Shiraz South, Iran, before reconstruction, July 3, 2025 (left), and after reconstruction and clearance efforts, January 30, 2026 (right). Planet Labs PBC/Handout
About 10 km (6 miles) south of Shiraz in southern Iran, this is one of 25 primary bases capable of launching medium-range ballistic missiles, according to Alma Research and Education Center, an Israeli organisation. Alma assessed the site had suffered light, above-ground damage in last year’s war. A comparison of images taken on July 3, 2025 and January 30 shows reconstruction and clearance efforts at the main logistics and likely command compound at the base, Goodhind said. “The key takeaway is that the compound has yet to return to its full operational capacity from prior to the airstrikes.”
QOM MISSILE BASE
A combination picture of satellite images shows a Qom missile base building with the roof damaged by an airstrike, in Qom, Iran, July 16, 2025 (top), and the same site with a new roof, February 1, 2026 (bottom). Planet Labs
Some 40 km north of the city of Qom, this base suffered moderate above-ground damage, according to Alma.
A comparison of images taken between July 16, 2025, and February 1 shows a new roof over a damaged building. The roof repairs appear to have begun on November 17 and were most likely complete 10 days later, Goodhind said.
OIL rallies amid Iran worries
The prices of oil futures continued to rise on Wednesday as supply worries intensified due to a potential United States-Iran clash. While the two countries sat down for discussions earlier this week and mentioned some progress has been made, there have been no significant changes in the attitudes, with Axios reporting that Washington could hit Tehran within weeks. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March deliveries surged 2.7% at 7:49 am ET, going for $64 per barrel. At the same time, Brent for April settlements soared 2.63%, selling at $69.19 a barrel.
Don’t let them shit you…A second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran has ended without a deal to curtail Iran’s nuclear program.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi says the pair of nations did agree on “guiding principles” for future talks… You can wipe your ass with joke guiding principles
Crude Dips On Iran Deal Signals
Oil edged lower on signs that the US and Iran have made progress in nuclear talks, eroding a risk premium in benchmark futures prices. West Texas Intermediate fell to settle near $62 a barrel after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the two countries reached a “general agreement” on the basis of a potential nuclear deal that would lift sanctions on Tehran and ease the risk of war in the Middle East. Tehran’s negotiators are scheduled to return with a new proposal in two weeks, a US official said Tuesday. Success in the talks could pave the way for a lasting removal of a geopolitical risk premium that has kept prices elevated since the start of the year amid rising global oil supplies. The development erased earlier gains after Iran said it would shut parts of the Strait of Hormuz for several hours due to military drills, though traders were skeptical of a meaningful disruption to the waterway that ships about a fifth of the world’s barrels. The US has also sent a second aircraft carrier to the region. The two sides will each draft and exchange texts for a deal before setting a date for a third round of talks, Araghchi said, cautioning that the next stage would be “more difficult and detailed.”
US Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that negotiations with Iran went well but the country has not yet acknowledged President Donald Trump’s red lines.
“Agreeing on guiding principles to begin drafting text is not the same as resolving enrichment limits, inspection protocols or sequencing of sanctions relief. The market seems to understand that distinction. Implied volatility has eased from recent highs, yet spot prices remain comfortably above $60 a barrel. That resilience speaks to lingering skepticism that diplomacy will translate into anything meaningful.”
— Brendan Fagan, Macro Strategist, Markets Live.
Trend-following commodity trading advisers positioned in WTI breached several sell triggers near $62 a barrel, accelerating the price slide, according to data from Kpler’s Bridgeton Research Group. The robot traders liquidated long positions to sit at 27% short in WTI on Tuesday, compared with 45% at the start of the session, the firm said.
Crude is up almost 10% so far this year thanks to a combination of supply disruptions, geopolitical risk and a buildup of sanctioned barrels. While futures have settled in a band between $61 and $65 for most of this month, the outcome of the flurry of diplomatic efforts in the coming days and hours could dictate the path forward for prices.
NN: Their has been no real progress…. so we wait!
US rushes F-22 and F-16 fighter jets to Middle East
The F-22 stealth fighter jets and F-16 fighter aircraft are currently being moved from the United States and Europe to the Middle East, data from Flightradar showed on Tuesday. Over 10 F-22 airplanes and more than 30 F-16 jets are believed to have departed their bases. The move comes amid a new round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, held in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition, earlier this week, Tehran commenced its military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has been keen on reinforcing its military presence in the region in the past couple of weeks, as tensions with Iran continue to linger.
NN: The US talks peace as we SEE a Hugh military build up in the middle east. Watch what they do not what they say.
Iran fires missiles in Strait of Hormuz amid military drill
Iran has launched live missiles toward the Strait of Hormuz as part of a previously announced maritime military drill, coinciding with a new round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva. Iranian media said on Tuesday that early in the morning, the exercise involved missile launches from inside the country and along its coastline, targeting designated sites in the strategic waterway.