Facing US warnings, Iran defends right to nuclear enrichmentA photo released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps official website Sepanews shows a rocket being fired during a military exercise by the Guards and the navy in the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - Iran’s atomic energy chief on Thursday said “no country can deprive Iran of the right” to nuclear enrichment, following fresh US warning that there were “many reasons” to strike the Islamic republic. “Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump.”A previous attempt at negotiations collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran last June, beginning a 12-day war that Washington briefly joined to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. Speaking on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted “We do not want war” but suggested Tehran could not give in to US demands. Amid the escalating warnings, Poland on Thursday ordered all its citizens in Iran to “leave immediately”.

Source: Bangkok Post February 19, 2026 14:50 UTC