Dec 12, 2025 – President Donald Trump warns that the United States “will attack any new Iranian nuclear facility” if Tehran restarts its program without a deal, citing the June 2025 strikes that crippled Iran’s enrichment sites [18].

Dec 30, 2025 – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posts that “cruel aggression will be met with a harsh and discouraging response,” directly replying to Trump’s nuclear‑threat rhetoric [21].

Dec 30, 2025 – Iran’s leadership vows an “unprecedented” retaliation to any U.S. strike, with former security council secretary Ali Shamkhani saying a limited attack would be “an illusion” [17].

Dec 31, 2025 – The IRGC advances a chemical/biological warhead program for ballistic missiles, prompting Trump to say the U.S. “could back Israeli strikes” if Tehran rebuilds its long‑range missiles [16].

Jan 13, 2026 – Trump hints at “very strong options” against Iran after the protest crackdown; Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declares U.S. bases “legitimate targets” if attacked, while President Pezeshkian promises a “harsh and discouraging” response [15].

Jan 15, 2026 – Analysts note the U.S. weapons stockpile is depleted yet still powerful; Trump orders assets to be ready for a strike, underscoring elevated readiness amid the protests [14].

Jan 28, 2026 – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tells reporters that “no request for negotiations exists on our side,” rejecting U.S. pressure to start talks [13].

Jan 28, 2026 – Trump asserts that Iran “is ready for a deal” and moves an “armada” of warships into the region to pressure Tehran [13].

Jan 28, 2026 – U.S. Air Forces Central Command launches multi‑day drills to demonstrate rapid‑deployment capability; Trump posts “Time is running out” on Truth Social, demanding a “fair and equitable” nuclear deal [9].

Jan 29, 2026 – Trump warns “time is running out” for a nuclear agreement, threatens a “massive Armada,” and says the next strike would be “far worse” than the 2025 attacks [3].

Jan 29, 2026 – Iran’s foreign ministry says its forces have “fingers on the trigger” and can “immediately and powerfully respond” to any aggression [12].

Jan 29, 2026 – Trump weighs a new major strike after stalled talks, posts an ultimatum on Truth Social demanding “no nuclear weapons” and warning of a “far worse” attack [8].

Jan 30, 2026 – Foreign Minister Araghchi says Tehran will join “fair and just” nuclear talks but will not accept any imposed terms or discuss its missile program [7].

Jan 30, 2026 – Trump urges Iran to sign a deal, warning that “very big, very powerful ships” are sailing toward Iran and that Tehran must stop killing protesters [7].

Jan 30, 2026 – President Pezeshkian announces Iran is “ready for US talks if a threat‑free environment exists,” and media report a possible Istanbul meeting on Friday with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and regional ministers [1].

Jan 31, 2026 – Analysts say Trump’s options narrow to precise strikes on IRGC leaders or a broader bombardment, noting the U.S. now fields a single carrier group after earlier two‑group deployment [6].

Feb 2, 2026 – Turkey works to convene U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and senior Iranian officials by week’s end, while the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier and destroyers sit in the Middle East as a show of force [20].

Feb 2, 2026 – President Pezeshkian orders the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States; the U.S. threatens military action and moves a carrier group toward West Asia amid the crackdown [22].

Feb 3, 2026 – Iran directs Foreign Minister Araghchi to open U.S. negotiations, ending a long‑standing refusal; Trump posts a “massive Armada” message, warning “time is running out” [11].

Feb 3, 2026 – Iran signals readiness for U.S. talks only in a “threat‑free” setting, with potential Istanbul talks slated for Friday and regional ministers invited [1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Trump tells NBC that Iran’s supreme leader should be “very worried” ahead of Muscat talks; Iran showcases the Khorramshahr‑4 missile with a 1,240‑mile range [5].

Feb 6, 2026 – Trump faces “tough choices” as U.S.–Iran talks are slated to start Friday in Oman, focusing on nuclear, missile, and terrorist‑sponsorship issues [4].

Feb 11, 2026 – Iran and the United States consider a second round of nuclear talks after the June 2025 12‑day war and protest crackdown; Oman mediates face‑to‑face meetings, and the IAEA reports a remaining stockpile of ~9,870 kg of uranium [19].

Feb 17, 2026 – Iran announces a “general agreement” with the United States on nuclear negotiations, opening a path to a deal that excludes any discussion of its ballistic‑missile program [10].