A 5.2–5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Iran’s southern Bushehr Province near the strategic Asaluyeh region on February 1, 2026, shaking parts of the Persian Gulf region. The tremor triggered a wave of social media speculation claiming the earthquake was caused by a secret nuclear test near Iran’s only operational nuclear facilities — claims experts and official data have not supported.

In the wake of spiraling tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s violent crackdown of protests, analysts warn that internal upheaval or a potential collapse of the Iranian government could carry nuclear risks.

The US president says he has told Iran it has to do "two things" to avoid military action, as the US builds up its forces in the Gulf.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said at a press conference Friday that Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the U.S. but stressed the Trump administration needs to stop threatening an attack against Iran.

Commercial satellite imagery analysed by researchers at the Institute of Science and International Security reveals that Iran has intensified efforts to harden its nuclear infrastructure.

Iran’s status as a threshold state has been a choice of strategic restraint. But when, in June 2025, Israel and the U.S struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, that attack – and the latest Trump threats – sent a clear message that threshold status provides no reliable security.

US President Donald Trump renewed threats to strike Iran if it does not agree to negotiate a new nuclear deal, as US forces conduct a multi-day air exercise in the Middle East, bolstering Washington’s military presence in the region.

Tensions in the Middle East are reaching a breaking point as the United States issues a stark warning to Iran following joint naval drills involving Iran, China, and Russia. U.S. Central Command has cautioned Tehran over unsafe naval actions in the Strait of Hormuz,