US CENTCOM Chief Admiral Brad Cooper aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Image released by the US Navy on Fe...
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| US CENTCOM Chief Admiral Brad Cooper aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Image released by the US Navy on February 7, 2026 |
N. Prabhakaran
DUBAI: ABC News reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), briefed President Donald Trump on potential military actions against Iran. General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also participated in the discussion.
US Vice President J.D. Vance stated that US strikes against Iran are unlikely to lead to a prolonged war in the Middle East. He shared this view in an interview with the Washington Post.
Trump may choose between military strikes or diplomatic solutions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "Don't think we will remain in an endless Middle East war for years; there is no possibility of that," Vance said aboard Air Force Two.
No Progress in Iran Talks: Trump Representatives Disappointed
According to Channel 12, US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met twice yesterday in Geneva with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but failed to resolve the differences between the two sides.
The talks, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, also included Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear agency. The discussions lasted for hours and involved both direct and indirect communication. Reports suggest President Trump is frustrated and angry over the lack of progress.
Iran's Proposal: Iran offered to limit uranium enrichment strictly to medical purposes. They also suggested halting nuclear activities for a specific number of years, with the option to resume later under regional restrictions.
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Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner meet on February 17, ahead of indirect talks between the US and Iran in Geneva |
The US Demand: Washington is insisting on a permanent agreement with no time limit. While they may allow low-level enrichment at the Tehran research reactor, the US is demanding that existing nuclear plants be completely dismantled and all enriched uranium be moved out of the country.
Reports indicate that Witkoff and Kushner expressed disappointment with Iran's proposals after the initial rounds. However, the Omani Foreign Minister stated that "significant progress" was made and that technical-level talks would continue next week in Vienna.
"Today ended with significant progress in the talks between the US and Iran. Negotiations will continue next week in Vienna," Badr Albusaidi posted on X.
The scheduling of further talks suggests that planned US military moves against Iran might be temporarily sidelined. However, a similar round of talks scheduled for June 2025 never took place after the US attacked Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump has executed the largest military deployment in the Middle East since 2003, aiming to pressure Iran into an agreement.
The "Israel First" Strategy
Meanwhile, some of Trump’s advisors believe it would be politically advantageous if Israel strikes Iran first, followed by the US. They argue that if Iran retaliates against Israel, it would help secure public support for the US to take decisive action.
Senior advisors in the Trump administration favor an initial Israeli strike. They believe an Iranian counter-attack would provide a strong justification for direct US intervention and garner the support of the American people.
Despite the tensions, reports suggest the Geneva talks were positive in some aspects, and efforts to reach a deal are ongoing. The next phase will take place in Vienna.
Furthermore, Chinese intelligence agency Mizar Vision released images of American F-22 Raptor fighter jets arriving in Israel, highlighting the intense surveillance currently active in the region.
US Sanctions Against Swiss Bank
The bank faces the threat of being ousted from the American financial system. The Treasury alleges the bank helped the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Quds Force with money laundering and terror financing. If this action is finalized, US banks will be prohibited from conducting any business with M. Baer.
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