The United States and Iran have increased military pressure ahead of a new round of talks. What the media is writing

The second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear program will take place in Geneva. The meeting will take place against the background of increased military pressure from both sides. The United States has deployed new warships and fighter jets to the Middle East, and Iran has conducted exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating its possible closure in the event of a failure of diplomacy. What the world's media write about the negotiations and a possible military clash is in the Izvestia digest.

Associated Press: U.S. and Iran to hold second round of nuclear talks

The second round of talks between Washington and Tehran on Iran's nuclear program will take place in Geneva on February 17, while the United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East and Iran is conducting large-scale naval exercises. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to force Iran to agree to limit its nuclear program. Tehran has said it will respond with an attack of its own.

Last week, a senior Iranian security official visited Oman and met with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the main mediator in the talks. The meeting was probably devoted to discussing the results of the first round of negotiations and further steps. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has made it clear that Tehran may be open to compromise on the nuclear issue, but is counting on the easing of international sanctions under the leadership of the United States.

Axios: Trump said Iran would not want consequences if it reneged on the deal

Trump said he intends to "indirectly participate" in the second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which will be held in Geneva. The meeting between Kushner, Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could be a crucial moment that will show whether the two countries are moving towards a new nuclear agreement or towards war.

Although Trump has stated that he prefers a diplomatic solution and wants to reach an agreement with Iran, he has also ordered a massive military buildup in the Persian Gulf, including the dispatch of a second aircraft carrier strike group. According to radar observations published in the public domain, another group of 18 F-35 fighter jets, as well as several tanker aircraft, arrived in the Middle East on Monday.

CNN: The US is putting military pressure on Iran before the talks

The US military continues to significantly build up air and naval forces in the Middle East ahead of planned talks with Iran. According to several sources, these forces are being used both to intimidate Tehran and to ensure the possibility of strikes inside the country in the event of a failure of negotiations on the nuclear program. According to sources familiar with the situation, US Air Force forces based in the UK, including tanker aircraft and fighter jets, are being relocated closer to the Middle East.

The buildup of military resources and statements by Trump and senior members of the administration about the preference for Iranian regime change are keeping the region on edge and raising the stakes in the negotiations. At the same time, according to two sources familiar with the situation, the White House still does not seem to have a clear understanding of what will happen next if the Iranian regime is overthrown.

Synergy boost: The US and Iran are looking for a way out of the nuclear crisis

Why is the republic being threatened with military escalation

The New York Times: Iran held exercises in the Strait of Hormuz after Trump's threats

Iran conducted combat exercises in the Strait of Hormuz a day before the resumption of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran. This was an obvious demonstration of his strength against the background of Trump's threats of military action and calls for regime change in the event of a failure of diplomacy. The exercises, conducted by the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were designed to counter "potential security threats and military actions."

Omid Memarian, an expert on Iran from the DAWN analytical center, said that even if Iran tries to resist pressure from the United States, the situation may escalate in the context of an escalating crisis. Closing the Strait of Hormuz without providing a convincing diplomatic way to resolve issues related to Iran's nuclear and missile program will turn the Iranian exercises into empty bravado without leverage, he said.