A Russian "doomsday" airplane, a hardened airborne command-and-control node that is designed to ensure real-time strategic decision-making, landed on February 16th in Tehran, Iran.
The airplane is capable of secure data link and encrypted satellite communications as well as of electromagnetic shielding that is designed for continuity of government operations during high intensity conflict.
Its flight route over the Caspian sea instead through potentially hostile air space could be a sign of high-level state engagements involving defense ministers, intelligence chiefs, or presidential envoys.
Overall, the dispatching of such a military assets indicates Russia's prioritization of it's relationship to Tehran.
Today, the United States reportedly conveyed an Ultimatum, telling Iran they have "Until the end of February to present a concrete plan to the United States to end their nuclear program."
At 1:15 PM eastern US Time today in Israel, their "Home Front Command" received orders to "prepare for war." The Home front Command thereafter immediately declared a "high level defensive alert" to the entire armed forces of Israel.
At 1:20 PM Eastern US Time, Israeli media outlets report that hospitals in Israel have received directives to prepare for a transition to emergency mode.
As of 1:30 PM Eastern US Time today, the flight radar map below shows the U.S. military aircraft in Europe and in the Middle East, flying in preparations for military action:
One of the busiest days for the U.S. Air Force in Europe that I have seen in recent history, with close to a dozen KC-135R/T Stratotankers airborne across the Mediterranean and off the coast of Spain, while a steady line of C-17A Globemaster IIIs can be seen heading towards and returning from bases in the Middle East.
The United States is also moving additional assets - not just Fighter Jets - toward the Gulf. In these hours, we are tracking the largest movement of USAF AWACS aircraft we have ever recorded. Map Below:
The Social Media posting below lays out charts of the Tanker Traffic to the Middle East alone: 85 tanker aircraft.
US Military Operation to #FreeIran - Tanker Fleet
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) February 18, 2026
Update 1 - 18/02/2026 @ 1100Z
I've now compiled all the tankers I can find moving overnight (35) and added them to the tankers that moved in the last 48hrs and were already in Europe / Middle East prior to that. "RED" tankers are… pic.twitter.com/JJk0ZeRNa6
Iran May NOT Actually Have 10 Days . . .
The last time US President Trump gave Iran a warning, he told them they had about two weeks to do a particular thing, but the US attacked Iran just days later. The US did not wait the entire two weeks.
Today's Ultimatum to Iran giving them "until the end of February" (about ten days) may also be a ruse, just like the last time.
Supporting that belief is the fact that Israeli officials are now publicly telling media that they assess the “zero hour” may be just days away. N12 TV in Israel reports multiple indicators, some undisclosed, are pointing to a potentially imminent escalation.
As all of these things are taking place, Iran has issued Notice to Air Men (NOTAM) #A0605/26 warning of rocket launches on Feb 19 (0330–1330 UTC). The restricted airspace corridor runs from Iran’s southern interior up toward central Iran and back down toward the Strait of Hormuz. Map below:
This NOTAM - on its face - is causing very many people to wonder if Iran knows it is going to be attacked, and has decided to strike first?
Iran has previously made clear it now has missiles with a range of 11,000km, making them able to reach Washington, DC and New York City.
Prepare yourselves. We may all get to see what happens, during Iran's NOTAM for tomorrow.
