Iran’s Supreme Leader escalates rhetoric as nuclear talks resume in Geneva
February 17, 2026: The second round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States began in Geneva on Tuesday, but tensions quickly rose as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered sharp warnings aimed at US President Donald Trump. In a series of posts on X, Khamenei dismissed Washington’s ability to pressure Tehran, asserting that the United States had failed for decades to undermine the Islamic Republic and would not succeed now. He also questioned American military dominance, suggesting that even the world’s strongest force could be struck decisively.
The renewed diplomatic engagement comes amid heightened military activity in the region. Trump has ordered a significant build-up of US forces, including the deployment of aircraft carriers. Satellite imagery has confirmed the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln near Iran, while reports indicate that the USS Gerald R. Ford has also been dispatched and could reach the Middle East in the coming weeks.
Tehran has responded with maritime drills conducted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. As negotiations continue, the parallel escalation in rhetoric and military posture underscores the fragile and high-stakes nature of the diplomatic effort.