Isfahan nuclear facility, Iran (PTI file photo)

Iran a week away from producing bomb-grade uranium? Rising tensions in Tehran once again worry Uncle Sam, as President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, expressed concerns amid escalating strains between the Trump administration and Ayatollah Khamenei’s establishment. He also pointed out the domestic pressure in Tehran, referring to the resurfacing of protests in the Middle Eastern country.The Donald Trump administration remains concerned about Khamenei-led Iran after it bombed multiple nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic under its hard-handed action, Operation Midnight Hammer, in the summer of 2025.

In an interview with Fox News, US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said Iran could theoretically be just a week away from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels. However, he did not mention that Iran currently has no access to the necessary material, lacks the equipment required for enrichment, and has no active weapons programme to put such material to operational use.Meanwhile, Arab media reports claim Iran’s Revolutionary Guard officers are directly overseeing Hezbollah’s military preparations and strategic war planning amid rising regional tensions.

‘Probably a week away’

“They’re probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material. And that’s really dangerous. So they can’t have that,” Witkoff said, highlighting the seriousness of Iran’s potential to rebuild and gather all the other elements of its nuclear programme that were bombed in June 2025.In June 2025, Israel and the United States carried out coordinated strikes that they said destroyed Iran’s fleet of roughly 20,000 nuclear centrifuges, dismantled its multifaceted weaponisation programme, and severely damaged its three main nuclear sites along with dozens of smaller facilities. The attacks also reportedly killed several leading nuclear scientists and collapsed parts of key installations, making it difficult for the Islamic Republic to access its existing stockpile of enriched uranium.

June 2025 strikes & shrinking nuclear window

Before the June 2025 strikes, Iran was believed to be about a week away from weaponising its uranium, should it have chosen to do so. It was then estimated that Tehran would need another three to six months to integrate the material into a missile system and assemble the necessary components for a nuclear weapon.That window was considered extremely narrow, having shrunk rapidly from an earlier estimate of two years — prompting concerns within Israeli intelligence that it might not detect the precise moment Iran crossed the nuclear threshold if action was delayed.

US and Israel assessment on Iran’s nuclear timeline

Currently, the US and its close ally Israel believe Tehran is at least two years away from becoming a potential nuclear power, a factor that continues to trouble the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government in Tel Aviv, as well as Washington under President Trump’s stated resolve to curb the nuclear ambitions of the Khamenei rule.

Focus on uranium enrichment and US red lines

However, Witkoff appeared to be stressing that Iran has previously come very close to producing weapons-grade uranium. He suggested this is why the Trump administration does not want Iran to be allowed to enrich uranium in the future, as Washington lays out its broader case amid rising tensions with Tehran.In the interview, Witkoff said Trump was not exactly upset about Iran’s refusal to reach a deal, but rather more “curious.”“I don’t want to use the word frustrated,” he stated, offering a rare glimpse into Trump’s decision-making process on the issue.“It’s curious. He’s curious as to why they haven’t capitulated … under this sort of pressure, with the amount of sea power, naval power that we have over there.”Witkoff repeated Trump’s earlier demand of “zero enrichment” by Iran under any future agreement. “There have been some very hard red lines drawn,” he said. However, reports suggest that Trump is considering an Iranian proposal that would allow limited or “token” uranium enrichment.According to the report, the Trump administration may accept a limited compromise, as long as it can be verified that any uranium enrichment is strictly for civilian use and cannot be used as a step toward developing nuclear weapons.

Domestic pressure in Iran and Pahlavi factor

Witkoff also pointed to growing domestic pressure inside Iran as an important factor in US decision-making. Protests returned to the streets on Saturday, with students from several universities across the country demonstrating against the Islamic regime.Speaking about the exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi and his possible role in Iran’s future, Witkoff said Pahlavi “cares about his country,” but added that the country’s future would ultimately depend on “President Trump’s policies, not Pahlavi’s policies,” noting that Trump “is interested in hearing everyone’s views.”

Iran supervising Hezbollah’s war plans

In a parallel development, reports from Arab media outlets on Saturday claimed that Hezbollah is now being overseen by officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), rather than solely by its traditional Lebanese leadership.According to sources cited by Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, Hezbollah has sharply stepped up its military and security preparations in anticipation of a possible Israeli or American strike. These preparations are reportedly being carried out under the close supervision of IRGC personnel who have recently arrived in Lebanon.The reported leadership shift comes amid rising concerns that both Hezbollah and Iran are preparing for a potential military confrontation with Israel and the United States.Sources further told the two outlets that IRGC officers are not only supervising the rebuilding of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure but are also directly managing and executing strategic war plans.

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, killing one person in the Kyiv region and damaging energy infrastructure in the south, AP reported, citing Ukrainian officials.Ukraine’s emergency service said Sunday that one person died in the Kyiv region and eight others, including a child, were rescued from the rubble of destroyed buildings.

The strikes caused damage and fires in five districts in Kyiv’s suburbs. In the village of Putrivka in the Fastiv district, emergency teams worked to rescue people trapped under debris.In southern Ukraine, Russia struck energy infrastructure in the Odesa region, triggering significant fires that were later extinguished, the Emergency Service said.According to Ukraine’s air force, the overnight assault involved 297 drones and 50 missiles of various types. It said 274 drones and 33 missiles were shot down or otherwise neutralised. Of the remaining projectiles, 14 missiles and 23 drones hit 14 locations, while three missiles were unaccounted for.The latest barrage comes as Ukraine continues to face sustained aerial attacks, nearly four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. In recent months, Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, leading to power and heating disruptions during winter.Separately, an explosion in the western city of Lviv killed one person and injured 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post Sunday. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident, which officials said was unrelated to Russia’s aerial attacks.On the Russian side, the defence ministry in Russia said its air defences destroyed 86 Ukrainian drones overnight. In the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk, two Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot, injuring a security guard and setting a fuel tank on fire, Moscow-installed leader Leonid Pasechnik said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range in Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026, to demonstrate its operational capabilities.The exercise will showcase the IAF’s air power, including long-range precision strikes, multi-domain operations and indigenous platforms, and will highlight the success of Operation Sindoor as part of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat push.

The IAF said the drill will underline its role as the first responder in conflict scenarios and its ability to rapidly dominate the operational environment and influence outcomes through decisive air operations.Guided by the core values “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek,” the exercise aims to reassure the nation by reaffirming the Indian Air Force’s role as a key pillar of India’s national security architecture.

What to expect

The exercise is set to highlight the IAF’s role in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, including rapid airlift, rescue and evacuation operations in India and overseas.A full spectrum of operations will be demonstrated by fighter, transport and helicopter platforms, including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH Mk-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache and Chinook, along with remotely piloted aircraft.Advanced weapon systems such as short-range loitering munitions, Akash and SpyDer surface-to-air missiles, and counter-unmanned aerial systems will also be showcased in day, dusk and night missions.The exercise will involve 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters and eight transport aircraft, with 277 weapons and 12,000 kg of explosives deployed. Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said the drill would demonstrate the IAF’s capability to win future conflicts, its deterrence strength and its long-range targeting superiority.Exercise Vayushakti-26 is expected to test the Indian Air Force’s tactical and strategic capabilities, reinforce India’s regional deterrence posture, and demonstrate the operational and technological strengths of its personnel and platforms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugrated the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat services in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi visited the Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat Station, where he flagged off the remaining portions of India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and country’s fastest metro.Aslongside, the transportation boost, PM Modi is also set to unviel development works worth almost Rs 12,930 crore to the nation.The 82 km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor includes 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the 21-km segment between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh. Designed for speeds of up to 180 kmph, the Namo Bharat system is intended to provide faster regional connectivity, linking Delhi with major urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut. The Delhi-Meerut RRTS Namo Bharat will cut travel time between the two cities to less than 1 hour, benefiting commuters.

Sarai Kale Khan, marking the start of the corridor, is one of four Namo Bharat stations. The route stretches 14 km in Delhi, with 9 km elevated and 5 km underground, and covers 68 km in Uttar Pradesh, including 61 km elevated and 7 km underground.Serving as a key multi-modal hub, it links Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT, and Ring Road, ensuring smooth connectivity. The remaining three stations, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram, are being commissioned in Meerut.

He also inaugurated the Meerut metro service between Meerut South and Modipuram. The metro will run on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat system, marking a first-of-its-kind arrangement in the country. With a maximum operational speed of about 120 kmph, Meerut Metro is expected to be India’s fastest metro network. The service will cover the entire stretch in roughly 30 minutes, including all scheduled halts. Both the Delhi–Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat RRTS will operate on the same infrastructure, creating a seamless integration that enables fast and efficient high-speed intercity travel.

Running along a 21-km corridor with 12 stations, its fully air-conditioned three-coach trains feature lightweight stainless-steel designs in green, blue, and orange. Energy-efficient and equipped with regenerative braking, CCTV, USB ports, and modern train automation systems, each train carries over 700 passengers, with 173 seats, including reserved spots for women, seniors, and differently-abled commuters.After the inaugration, PM Modi also took a metro ride to the Meerut South Station. Ahead of the inauguration, UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced that PM Modi will boost the development of ‘New Uttar Pradesh’ by launching the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat train in the city. Describing it as a milestone, he said, “today, a golden chapter will be added to Uttar Pradesh’s journey of progress.”Also see | Travel at 160 kmph on Namo Bharat: Check route, stations, timing — key detailsTogether, the transportation boost is expected to enable quicker intercity movement alongside efficient urban travel. The projects are also aimed at easing road congestion and reducing vehicular carbon dioxide emissions, in line with the PM’s focus on modern, seamless and sustainable public transport systems to improve ease of living.

NEW DELHI: Eight suspects with alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI and Bangladesh-based extremist groups have been arrested in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, amid intelligence alerts warning of a possible terror plot targeting Delhi’s Red Fort and prominent temples.According to Delhi Police, six of the accused were picked up from different locations in Tamil Nadu, including Uthukuli, Palladam and Thirumuruganpoondi, while two others were held in West Bengal during follow-up action, as reported by news agency ANI. Some of those arrested are suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals. All are being brought to Delhi for further interrogation.Police said the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs about a module allegedly planning subversive activities across the country. “Dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards have been recovered,” a police source said, adding that the digital material is being analysed to trace the wider network and possible foreign handlers.Investigators believe the group was in contact through social media and had allegedly posted content supportive of Pakistan-based terror outfits. Four of the accused are said to have travelled to Delhi earlier, where they pasted “Free Kashmir” posters at a metro station during an international summit before returning to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.During searches, officers recovered eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from the Tamil Nadu locations alone. Police said some of the suspects were working in the garment industry while allegedly using fake Aadhaar cards to conceal their identities.

Red Fort and temples on alert

The arrests come days after security agencies issued a high alert in the national capital following inputs suggesting that the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had kept key religious sites on its radar. Areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk were identified as sensitive zones.Sources, cited by ANI indicated that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be a potential target and that the group may be plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The alleged plan is believed to be linked to attempts to avenge a February 6 mosque blast in Islamabad.Security has since been tightened across major religious and heritage sites in Delhi. CCTV surveillance has been intensified, vehicle checks increased, and bomb disposal squads and dog units deployed at strategic locations.The alert follows the deadly car explosion near the Red Fort in November 2025 that left at least 13 people dead and more than 20 injured.

Source: National Geographic

The Moon is about to get its own brain. For the first time, real-time artificial intelligence and edge computing have been installed on a lunar rover. The milestone might not make headlines like a rocket launch, but it is huge. 384,400 kilometres from Earth, machines will soon process data instantly, analysing sensor readings, images, and commands without waiting for signals to travel across the void.Astrolab, a California-based startup, confirmed in February 2026 that Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Spaceborne Computer has been mechanically integrated on its FLIP rover. This is the first step in creating a smarter, faster, more autonomous lunar mission. Experts say the move could revolutionise how astronauts and robots operate on the Moon, particularly at the South Pole, where Artemis missions are targeting permanent outposts.

FLIP and FLEX: Inside Astrolab’s two rovers built for the Moon

FLIP, or FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform, is Astrolab’s smaller test rover. It weighs about half a ton and carries 30–50 kilograms of payload. Its purpose is simple: test key subsystems under real lunar conditions. That includes hyper-deformable Venturi wheels, batteries, avionics, sensors, and software. FLIP is scheduled to land on Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission-1 lander in summer 2026.FLEX is the big sibling. It’s the flagship rover, designed to carry two suited astronauts, transport cargo, deploy infrastructure, and perform construction tasks. It can carry up to 1,600 kilograms and store three cubic metres of equipment. FLEX uses bendable wheels for soft regolith, articulating limbs to adapt to terrain, deployable solar arrays, a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, and semi-autonomous navigation sensors. Experts say it might be the most capable rover ever planned for the lunar surface.

Source: LinkedIn

FLIP gets a brain: Smart AI for instant lunar decisions

With HPE’s Spaceborne Computer onboard, FLIP can analyse data immediately. No more sending massive files back to Earth and waiting hours or even days for answers. Images, sensor readings, and mission commands can be processed in real-time.For astronauts, this is a game-changer. They could instantly map water ice, detect Helium-3 deposits, interpret medical images, and control experiments without lag. Navigation becomes safer. And for future lunar bases, mining operations, and communication networks, having smart, autonomous machines on the Moon could make operations far more efficient.Some experts even see benefits beyond the Moon. Edge computing systems like this could improve operations in remote Earth locations like deep oceans, polar regions, and disaster zones where immediate data processing is essential.

AI meets the Moon: FLIP arrives this summer

FLIP is first in line, expected to land at the lunar South Pole in summer 2026 aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 lander. FLEX missions will follow later that year or beyond, possibly using SpaceX vehicles. The Moon’s vacuum, polar sunlight, and radio-quiet zones make it ideal for AI-powered, edge-computing rovers.

Nasa is preparing to roll back the Artemis II rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman said. This comes after engineers detected an interruption in helium flow within the Space Launch System’s (SLS) Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS).The fault detected would almost certainly rule out the March launch window. Announcing the postponement of plan on X, Isaacman said, “After overnight data showed an interruption in helium flow in the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage, teams are troubleshooting and preparing for a likely rollback of Artemis II to the VAB at Nasa Kennedy. This will almost assuredly impact the March launch window. Nasa will continue to provide updates as they become available.”The issue emerged during routine operations on Tuesday evening, prompting troubleshooting efforts and a decision to begin rollback preparations while a more detailed assessment is conducted.In an update, Nasa said teams were unable to establish helium flow through the vehicle during a standard repressurisation procedure. The Artemis II rocket has since been placed in a safe configuration, with the engines now being purged using the ground-based environmental control system rather than the onboard helium supply.On Saturday, Nasa had announced the pending completion of Artemis II and had said that the project was set for March 6 before the glitch stalled the mission.It said, “We are targeting no earlier than March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, pending completion of required work at the launch pad and analysis of test data. The Artemis astronauts have entered quarantine to remain in good health before the mission.

What is ICPS?

The ICPS helium bottles play a critical role in purging the engines and pressurising the liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) tanks. Nasa confirmed that these systems functioned correctly during previous Wet Dress Rehearsals (WDR1 and WDR2), but the latest attempt revealed a failure signature similar to one observed during Artemis I.

Engineers probe possible causes

Engineers are now investigating several potential causes. These include a possible issue with the final filter between the ground systems and the flight vehicle, located on the umbilical — though this is considered less likely based on current data. Other possibilities include a malfunction in the quick-disconnect (QD) umbilical interface, which has been observed before, or a failed onboard check valve, which would mirror the fault seen on Artemis I. Nasa had implemented corrective measures following that mission to prevent a recurrence.Regardless of the root cause, agency officials said access and remediation can only be carried out inside the VAB, necessitating the rollback. A more extensive technical briefing outlining the path forward for Artemis II and subsequent missions is expected later this week.

Setback revives Apollo-era parallels

The setback has disappointed space enthusiasts and agency staff alike. Nasa acknowledged that expectations are high given the programme’s cost and timeline, but emphasised that setbacks are not uncommon in complex spaceflight operations. The agency drew parallels with the Apollo era, noting that Neil Armstrong’s Gemini 8 mission ended prematurely after less than 11 hours in space due to a technical fault, just three years before he became the first person to walk on the Moon.Artemis II is intended to be the first crewed mission of Nasa’s Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish a sustained human presence. Officials reiterated that while initial flight rates and architecture may evolve, the long-term ambition remains to build a lunar base and conduct continuous missions to and from the Moon.Nasa said further updates will be provided as engineers complete their assessment and define the recovery timeline.

Donald Trump and Ali Khamenei (AP file photo)

The United States is weighing military options against Iran that could go far beyond strikes on nuclear facilities, with one scenario reportedly involving the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei. The discussions come as President Donald Trump considers limited military action even while nuclear negotiations with Tehran remain ongoing.According to a report by Axios, a senior adviser said US officials have prepared options “for every scenario”. “One scenario takes out the Ayatollah and his son and the mullahs,” the adviser said, referring to Khamenei and Mojtaba, who is widely viewed as a potential successor. A second source told the outlet that the plan was floated to Trump several weeks ago. “What the president chooses no one knows. I don’t think he knows,” the adviser added.Trump confirmed on Friday that he is weighing potential action. Asked whether the US could carry out limited strikes during negotiations, he replied: “I guess I can say I am considering that.” A day earlier, he said 10 to 15 days would be “enough time” for Iran to reach a deal.Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has signalled that Tehran is ready to move forward diplomatically. He said a draft proposal could be finalised within “the next two to three days” and that serious negotiations on the text might begin “in a matter of a week or so”. Araghchi insisted Iran was “prepared for diplomacy” as much as it was “prepared for war”.Meanwhile, the Pentagon has undertaken its largest military build-up in the Middle East in two decades. Additional warships, aircraft and air defence systems have been deployed, with two US aircraft carriers positioned at a distance from Iran. Hundreds of troops have been relocated from key bases, including Al Udeid in Qatar and installations in Bahrain.Experts warn that any attempt to target Iran’s leadership would be seen in Tehran as an existential threat. Iran has already told the United Nations that if attacked, US bases and assets in the region would become “legitimate targets”. With tens of thousands of American troops stationed across the Middle East, analysts caution that a strike aimed at regime figures could trigger a broader and far deadlier confrontation.

Afghanistan said Sunday that “dozens” of people were killed and wounded after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern border provinces, in one of the deadliest recent escalations between the two countries.Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid in a post on X said, “Last night, they bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, martyring and wounding dozens of people, including women and children.”Afghanistan’s Tolo News reported that the Pakistani army targeted a civilian house in Behsud district of Nangarhar province, leaving 23 members of a family buried under rubble. Only four people had been pulled out so far, the report said. The broadcaster, as quoted by ANI, also reported that the Pakistani Air Force struck a religious seminary in Bermal district of Paktika province and carried out multiple airstrikes in Khogyani district of Nangarhar.Pakistan conducted strikes in Bermal and Argun districts of Paktika, as well as in Khogyani, Bahsod and Ghani Khel districts of Nangarhar since Saturday.Islamabad confirmed the cross-border strikes, saying they targeted militant groups it blames for recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistani media outlets also reported that the airstrikes focused on alleged militant camps along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.Geo News, citing Pakistan’s Ministry of Information, reported that seven camps and hideouts of Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), its affiliates and Daesh Khorasan Province (DKP) were hit. The ministry said the action was conducted “with precision and accuracy” in response to recent suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during Ramzan.The strikes came days after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security post in Bajaur district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 11 soldiers and a child. Authorities later said the attacker was an Afghan national. Hours before the latest border strikes, another suicide bomber targeted a security convoy in Bannu district, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.After Saturday’s violence, Pakistan’s military warned it would not “exercise any restraint” and that operations against those responsible would continue “irrespective of their location,” signaling rising tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.Information minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan had “conclusive evidence” that recent attacks, including a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad that killed 31 worshippers earlier this month, were carried out by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants acting on the “behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.”He said Pakistan had repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to take verifiable steps to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan, but alleged that no substantive action had been taken.In a statement, Pakistan said it expects the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of its soil against Pakistan and called on the international community to press Afghan authorities to honour commitments under the Doha Agreement.Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it reserves the right to target Afghanistan to protect its citizens amid rising cross-border tensions following the Bajaur attack, according to Dawn, as cited by ANI. “Pakistan very legitimately demands that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism inside Pakistan. So, as long as this demand is not met, whilst exercising patience, all options would obviously remain on the table,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at a weekly media briefing.Relations between the two countries have remained tense since October, when deadly border clashes killed soldiers, civilians and suspected militants on both sides. The violence followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan.