U.S. Navy sailors heave a line on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during a replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Sea, on Feb. 4, 2026. (Credit: U.S. Navy/Reuters)
After a second round of indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva on Tuesday, both sides mentioned “progress,” while acknowledging significant gaps remain. Hours later, however, Iran announced a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz for military exercises.That same evening, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said that despite advances in the talks, Tehran has not yet acknowledged all of U.S. President Donald Trump's "red lines."The following day, sources told Axios, "The Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. It could begin very soon."Reuters previously reported that the Pentagon was preparing contingency plans for weeks of fighting if Trump decides to launch an attack. Need an explainer? The liminal space between the path of diplomacy and...
After a second round of indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva on Tuesday, both sides mentioned “progress,” while acknowledging significant gaps remain. Hours later, however, Iran announced a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz for military exercises.That same evening, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said that despite advances in the talks, Tehran has not yet acknowledged all of U.S. President Donald Trump's "red lines."The following day, sources told Axios, "The Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. It could begin very soon."Reuters previously reported that the Pentagon was preparing contingency plans for weeks of fighting if Trump decides to launch an attack. Need an explainer? The liminal space between the path of diplomacy...
