Iran-US Tensions News LIVE Updates: Indian nationals in Iran advised to leave amid escalating tensions

Iran-US News Today LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said the president is “curious” why Iran hasn’t “capitulated” on its nuclear program, even as Tehran’s universities see fresh protests and the US builds up naval power in the Gulf. Oman’s foreign minister announced on X that US–Iran talks will reconvene in Geneva on Thursday, while Tehran has warned of “strong retaliation” in a letter to the UN chief and Trump confirmed he’s weighing limited military strikes ahead of his 10‑day deadline for a new deal Trump’s warning and Tehran’s counterproposal: Asked whether he would authorise action during negotiations, Trump said: “I guess I can say I am considering that,” adding that Iran “better negotiate a fair deal”. Washington is insisting on “zero enrichment” of uranium. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is drafting a counterproposal based on “mutual respect”, expected within 48 to 72 hours. It remains unclear whether Iran will accept limits on domestic enrichment. Indian Embassy in Iran advisory: Embassy of India in Iran Monday issued an advisory, urging all Indian nationals (students, pilgrims, business person and tourists) to leave by any available means of transport. The embassy also requested all nationals to have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs readily available with them. Emergency contact helplines of the Indian Embassy were also shared. ## What’s the current situation? Trump’s strike warning: Asked if he would authorise kinetic action during negotiations, Trump told reporters, “I guess I can say I am considering that.” He added that Tehran “better negotiate a fair deal.” Tehran’s counter-offer: Iran is reportedly preparing a text based on “mutual respect”, though it remains unclear if it will address the US “red line” regarding domestic uranium enrichment. Israel on high alert: The Israeli government, believing talks have reached an impasse, has accelerated joint military preparations with the US for an operation that could begin “very soon”. Strait of Hormuz tensions: Following a brief shutdown for IRGC live-fire drills, the waterway remains a flashpoint. Iran has warned that any attack would make all US regional assets “legitimate targets”. Massive buildup: The USS Gerald R. Ford is currently transiting the Mediterranean to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, completing a dual-carrier presence that analysts call the most significant mobilisation in decades. Our Global Desk is monitoring official statements from the White House, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and maritime security agencies in the Persian Gulf. Stay tuned for real-time updates as this story develops. Embassy of India in Iran Monday issued an advisory, urging all Indian nationals (students, pilgrims, business person and tourists) to leave by any available means of transport. In an advisory posted on the official handle, the embassy declared the advisory issued on January 14 -- which asked the nationals to exercise caution and avoid areas of protest -- null and void. The embassy also requested all nationals to have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs readily available with them. "They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard," the embassy added in its post. Emergency contact helplines of the Indian Embassy were also shared. Students at several major Iranian universities—including the University of Tehran, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran University of Science and Technology, Sharif University of Technology and Khajeh Nasir University—held rallies on Sunday to commemorate those killed in recent protests and to voice opposition to the Islamic Republic, with participants chanting “Death to the dictator” outside the central library at Tehran and similar slogans at the other campuses, according to student groups and local media reports. > Students at Tehran’s Sharif University of Technology raised the pre-Islamic Republic Lion and Sun flag on campus on Sunday, during ongoing student memorial rallies. pic.twitter.com/F8uyKaaNQg— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) February 22, 2026 Students at Tehran’s Sharif University of Technology raised the pre-Islamic Republic Lion and Sun flag on campus on Sunday, during ongoing student memorial rallies. pic.twitter.com/F8uyKaaNQg Kurdish opposition parties in Iran have formed a new coalition, the Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, uniting five groups—PDKI, PJAK, PAK, Komala, and Khabat to coordinate their struggle for self‑determination and to push for a democratic, secular Iran, according to a statement released on Sunday and reported by Rudaw news agency. The alliance, announced by PDKI executive committee member Mohammad Nazif Qadri, aims to overcome the fragmentation of Kurdish forces, support nationwide protests, and work with other Iranian opposition movements while urging free elections and protection of minority rights. It comes as Tehran faces heightened US pressure over stalled nuclear talks and recent military tensions in the Gulf.-Rudaw news agency Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi to discuss the “latest status of indirect negotiations” between Iran and the United States and consult on arrangements for the “next round of nuclear talks,” Iran’s foreign ministry said. US President Donald Trump has told advisers that if diplomacy or any initial targeted US attack does not lead Iran to give in to his demands, he will consider a much bigger attack in coming months intended to drive that country’s leaders from power, The New York Times reported citing sources. -NYT Iran and the US are expected to meet for a further round of talks in Geneva this week in a sign that Donald Trump’s team believes Tehran is making serious proposals to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and show it is not seeking a nuclear weapon. As fears loomed of renewed conflict after Washington carried out a major redeployment of military assets to the region, the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said he thought there was still a good chance of finding a diplomatic solution. He told CBS that negotiators would probably meet on Thursday to discuss and try to make “a fast deal”. Alluding to US assets in the region as potential targets, however, he said: “If the US attacks us, then we have every right to defend ourselves.” “Curious to know why we do not capitulate? Because we are IRANIAN,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X on Sunday, responding to earlier remarks by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who said President Donald Trump was “curious” why Tehran had not capitulated under mounting US pressure. "Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals,” Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on X on Sunday. "However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario," he added. > Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) February 22, 2026 Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario. Israel’s prime minister voiced uncertainty about US President Donald Trump’s position on Iran following a meeting in Washington earlier this month, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. “Is he still with us? I’m worried,” Benjamin Netanyahu told a senior US official after the talks, according to the report. Iran has signaled it is prepared to make concessions on its nuclear program in talks with the United States in return for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, as it seeks to avert a US attack, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official. Tehran would seriously consider sending half of its most highly enriched uranium abroad, diluting the rest and taking part in creating a regional enrichment consortium, the Iranian official said according to Reuters. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call on Sunday with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi to discuss the “latest status of indirect negotiations” between Iran and the United States and consult on arrangements for the “next round of nuclear talks,” Iran’s foreign ministry said. Iran and the US are set to meet again in Geneva this week, with Donald Trump’s team saying Tehran is putting forward serious ideas to thin out its highly enriched uranium and prove it isn’t chasing a nuclear bomb. Even as Washington shifts a big chunk of its military hardware to the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS there’s still a solid chance for diplomacy and that negotiators will likely sit down on Thursday to try for a “fast deal.” He added a warning: “If the US attacks us, then we have every right to defend ourselves. Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said that the recent negotiations with the United States "yielded encouraging ‌signals" and highlighted that Tehran has made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario. In a post on X, Pezeshkian wrote, "Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario." > Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) February 22, 2026 Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Sunday confirmed that talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday. In a post on X, Albusaidi said wrote, "Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal." > Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal.— Badr Albusaidi - بدر البوسعيدي (@badralbusaidi) February 22, 2026 'There are reports the UK has told the US they cannot use RAF bases for strikes on Iran. Is that true?'The Foreign Secretary tells ITV News that she wants the US to negotiate with Iran, amidst reports the US are preparing to strike the country pic.twitter.com/oXDUYr3xVH— ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) February 20, 2026 'There are reports the UK has told the US they cannot use RAF bases for strikes on Iran. Is that true?'The Foreign Secretary tells ITV News that she wants the US to negotiate with Iran, amidst reports the US are preparing to strike the country pic.twitter.com/oXDUYr3xVH Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard urged Swedish citizens in Iran to leave the country, citing a “highly uncertain” situation in Iran and the region and referring to an “urgent appeal” to leave. “The situation in Iran and in the region is highly uncertain. I therefore wish to emphasize the importance of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' advisory against all travel to Iran, and the urgent appeal to Swedish citizens who are in the country to leave,” Stenergard posted on X. “It is still possible to leave Iran via air travel and border crossings. Swedes should leave Iran now while the opportunity exists and not wait. A significant personal responsibility rests with those individuals who choose to remain in Iran. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will not be able to assist with evacuation from Iran,” she added. > Utvecklingen i Iran och i regionen är mycket osäker. Jag vill därför understryka vikten av UD:s avrådan från alla resor till Iran, och den skarpa uppmaningen till svenska medborgare som befinner sig i landet att lämna. Det är fortfarande möjligt att lämna Iran via flyg och…— Maria M Stenergard (@MariaStenergard) February 20, 2026 Utvecklingen i Iran och i regionen är mycket osäker. Jag vill därför understryka vikten av UD:s avrådan från alla resor till Iran, och den skarpa uppmaningen till svenska medborgare som befinner sig i landet att lämna. Det är fortfarande möjligt att lämna Iran via flyg och… The United States pledged to keep imposing visa restrictions on individuals involved in violently repressing and censoring Iranians, Assistant Secretary posted on X. ​“The United States will continue to pursue visa restrictions for individuals who violently repress and censor Iranians seeking to exercise their freedom of expression,” Mora Namdar said. > The United States will continue to pursue visa restrictions for individuals who violently repress and censor Iranians seeking to exercise their freedom of expression. https://t.co/QfOhPzeDZn— Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar (@AsstSecStateCA) February 20, 2026 The United States will continue to pursue visa restrictions for individuals who violently repress and censor Iranians seeking to exercise their freedom of expression. https://t.co/QfOhPzeDZn The administration is reviewing a proposal that would let Iran keep a symbolic, low‑level enrichment program essentially a “token” amount provided it can’t be weaponized, while simultaneously holding open military options that include targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his son, and senior clerics . A senior official says any deal must be “very detailed” and prove the program stays peaceful, even as Trump warns of possible limited strikes if negotiations fail. > ☢️ NEW: As the Trump administration mulls Iran options, it is prepared to consider a proposal that allows Iran "token" nuclear enrichment if it leaves no possible path to a bomb.Another scenario “takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs.” https://t.co/ZW2CH6pzyS— Axios (@axios) February 21, 2026 ☢️ NEW: As the Trump administration mulls Iran options, it is prepared to consider a proposal that allows Iran "token" nuclear enrichment if it leaves no possible path to a bomb.Another scenario “takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs.” https://t.co/ZW2CH6pzyS