Published on: 02/13/2026 - 08:44 Last updated: 02/13/2026 - 22:48
US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Iran with "very painful" repercussions if it failed to reach an agreement on its nuclear program, expressing his hope of obtaining a result within the next month. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the same day that President Trump believes he is creating the conditions that might lead to a “good agreement” with Tehran, but he expressed doubts about any such agreement.
Trump visits a force that participated in the arrest of Maduro and says that fear is necessary to negotiate with Iran
Trump: Regime change in Iran is “the best that could happen”
US President Donald Trump did not rule out the idea of regime change in Iran on Friday, telling reporters, "It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen." This came at a time when Washington was continuing its talks with Tehran, coinciding with the intensification of its military presence in the region.
Trump in response to a question about regime change in Iran: That might be the best thing that could happen, it seems
Trump on Iran: Another aircraft carrier will launch soon
Trump: “Fear” is a strong motive in the difficult negotiations with Iran
US President Donald Trump told American soldiers on Friday that Iran's approach to nuclear negotiations is "difficult," indicating that inciting fear in Tehran may be necessary to resolve the confrontation peacefully.
Agency: Iran releases 3 reformist figures
A lawyer told the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency that the authorities released on bail Friday three senior reformist figures after their detention last week as part of a widespread crackdown launched by the government against opponents. Lawyer Hajjah Kermani added that the released activists were Azar Mansouri, head of the Reform Front coalition, Jawad Imam, and Ibrahim Asgharzadeh. He explained that he was not informed of the charges against his clients.
Trump: It is difficult for Iran to conclude an agreement
Director of the Atomic Energy Agency: An agreement with Iran regarding inspections is possible, but “very difficult”
The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, considered on Friday that an agreement with Iran regarding inspections related to its nuclear program is possible but “very difficult.” Grossi said during the Munich Security Conference that the United Nations agency "returned to Iran" after the June war launched by Israel and in which the United States participated. He added, "In general, we were able to inspect everything, except for the bombed sites." He pointed out that reaching an agreement with Tehran that satisfies the IAEA is "completely possible, but very difficult."
Iranian authorities release reformist leader Azar Mansouri on bail (local media)
The Iranian authorities released on bail less than a week after her arrest following the widespread protests that took place in the Islamic Republic, according to a local agency. ISNA news agency quoted lawyer Hajjat Kermani as saying that his client Mansouri, who is the head of the Reform Front, “was released from prison minutes ago after paying bail.”
Netanyahu: Trump believes he is creating the conditions to reach a “good agreement” with Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that US President Donald Trump believes he is creating the conditions that might lead to a “good agreement” with Iran, but he expressed doubts about any such agreement. Netanyahu went to Washington, where he held a meeting with Trump, the seventh since the US president returned to power, and sought to adopt a more stringent approach in the nuclear talks with Iran.
The Pentagon sends a second American aircraft carrier to the Middle East
Two American officials told Reuters on Friday that the Pentagon will send an aircraft carrier from the Caribbean to the Middle East, which will become the second aircraft carrier there at a time of escalating tension between the United States and Iran. The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, the newest in the United States and the largest in the world, operates in the Caribbean region along with its accompanying ships and participated in operations in Venezuela this year. An official from them, who requested to remain anonymous, said that the aircraft carrier would take at least a week to reach the Middle East.
Associated Press correspondent on X, citing a source: America moves an aircraft carrier from the Caribbean to the Middle East as tensions rise with Iran
The Russian Foreign Minister discussed with his Saudi counterpart the situation in Iran and Gaza
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Minister Sergei Lavrov made a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Friday.
The ministry added that they discussed the situation regarding Iran and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Tehran announces the formation of an investigation committee weeks after the protests
The Iranian government announced on Friday the formation of an investigation committee, more than a month after a widespread protest movement that began with demonstrations against the high cost of living.
The government did not clarify whether the investigation committee was concerned with the economic demands that sparked the protest movement, or with the thousands of victims.
Government spokeswoman Fatima Mohajerani told ISNA, “An investigation committee has been formed that includes representatives of the relevant institutions and is collecting documents and testimonies.”
Media: A second American aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East
American media reported late Thursday evening that the United States decided to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran.
The New York Times, which was the first to report the news, reported from American officials that the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying ships will be sent from the Caribbean to the Middle East.
Neither the White House nor the Pentagon have yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters outside official business hours.
The release of two reformist leaders who were arrested following the demonstrations in Iran (local media)
On Thursday evening, the Iranian authorities released two reformist leaders who were arrested in recent days in Iran following the massive demonstrations that rocked the Islamic Republic in January, according to what Iranian media reported.
The reformist camp largely supported President Masoud Pezeshkian during his campaign for the 2024 presidential elections, but many of its figures distanced themselves from the government and supported demonstrators during the recent protest movement.
Hajja Kermani, the lawyer for Reform Front spokesman Jawad Imam and former MP Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, told ISNA on Thursday evening that his clients were released “a few minutes ago after paying bail.”
The bail amount has not been set.
France 24/ Agencies
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