Publish Date: 22 February 2026 - 23:39

Recent developments in relations between Iran and the United States have entered a phase that can no longer be described merely as political pressure or diplomatic bargaining.

According to Khabaronline, The setting of deadlines, the presentation of unacceptable demands, ambiguity surrounding the course of negotiations, and the simultaneous emphasis on the military option in the positions of Donald Trump’s administration in the United States all point to a real increase in the risk of conflict.

Under these circumstances, examining the signs and placing political and on-the-ground realities side by side is essential to understanding the level of threat and its potential consequences. The following fourteen points are an attempt to present a clear picture of this situation and the logic governing it.

  1. The likelihood of a military attack on Iran has increased.
  2. Trump has set a 15-day deadline for reaching an agreement, but this timeframe is not definitive.
  3. Trump may extend the deadline, or he may launch a surprise attack before it expires.
  4. Trump’s stated objective is a military strike aimed at forcing Iran into an agreement.
  5. The threat that has emerged is serious and requires full national-level attention in Iran.
  6. The United States has put forward unacceptable demands regarding uranium enrichment.
  7. The United States has not presented any concrete proposals on sanctions relief.
  8. Messages conveyed by the United States through regional intermediaries are vague and contradictory.
  9. No new date has been set for the next round of negotiations.
  10. The course of the talks resembles the period preceding the 12-day war.
  11. The U.S. government is conducting intense psychological operations to influence the drafting of Iran’s nuclear plan.
  12. The probability of a military confrontation is high if negotiations reach a deadlock.
  13. Reports indicate growing hesitation on Trump’s part regarding an attack on Iran.
  14. Pressure from the Israeli lobby to draw the United States into a war with Iran has reached its peak.