Trump sets 10-day deadline for Iran; Epstein’s Zorro Ranch probe reopens

President Donald Trump says Iran has 10 to 15 days to reach a nuclear deal or face what he calls “bad things.” U.S. forces are repositioning in the region as talks continue.

Plus, New Mexico has reopened its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch, including an unverified allegation of buried bodies near the property.

And Trump accuses former President Barack Obama of revealing classified information about aliens. Now he’s directing officials to begin releasing the government’s UFO files.

These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, February 20, 2026.

Trump gives Iran 10-day decision window, warning of ‘bad things’ ahead if no deal

President Donald Trump has signaled a possible U.S. strike on Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached soon. Multiple sources have reported that Trump is weighing military options against Iran. 

At Thursday’s inaugural Board of Peace meeting, the president indicated a decision could come within days if negotiations fail.

“Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we’re doing. And if they join us, that’ll be great. If they don’t join us, that’ll be great too. But it will be a very different path,” Trump said. “They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal, or if that doesn’t happen, I maybe can understand. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. But, bad things will happen if it doesn’t. So now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re, you’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”

— President Donald Trump

Later, aboard Air Force One, Trump said 10 to 15 days is “enough time” for Iran to reach an agreement.

He has not ordered an attack, but according to The Wall Street Journal, options under review range from a limited wave of strikes targeting government and military facilities to a broader campaign aimed at weakening the regime.

Defense analysts warned that any U.S. action would likely trigger retaliation and risk a wider conflict.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military buildup continues.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is heading toward the Mediterranean to join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, which is already deployed in the region. Dozens of additional U.S. warplanes have repositioned to Europe and the Middle East.

CNN reported the military could be ready to act as soon as this weekend.

In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly declined to allow U.S. forces to use certain air bases for a preemptive strike, citing concerns and international law.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators held mediated talks this week. The administration said there has been some progress, but no deal.

Andrew released from custody as King Charles III backs ‘full, fair’ investigation

Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, has been released from police custody following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The royal was photographed leaving a police station in Alysham, England, on Thursday night.

Police said searches at properties in Norfolk, where he currently lives, have concluded. Searches in Berkshire, the site of his longtime residence at Royal Lodge, remain underway.

His brother, King Charles III, issued a statement supporting the investigation, saying it must be “full, fair and proper.”

NBC News reported that the king does not typically sign statements about his brother but did so in this case.

The arrest stems from Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged in the U.S.

If prosecutors move forward and secure a conviction, misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the U.K.

New Mexico reopens Epstein ranch probe

New Mexico has reopened its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch after newly released federal documents raised fresh questions about what may have happened on the property.

Attorney General Raul Torrez ordered the review, saying material in the latest release of the Epstein files warrants further examination.

The remote ranch, about 30 miles south of Santa Fe, was one of Epstein’s most notorious properties. It’s a sprawling compound with a mansion and a private airstrip.

State prosecutors closed their original case in 2019 at the request of federal authorities in New York. 

Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, though investigators at the time confirmed they interviewed potential victims connected to the ranch.

Now, the state has sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch, requesting full, unredacted federal records, including a 2019 email in the files that alleges two foreign girls were buried near the property.

A claim Reuters reported is unverified.

Lawmakers have also created a bipartisan commission to examine whether the ranch facilitated abuse or trafficking and if officials failed to act.

The property was sold in 2023 to the family of Texas Republican politician and developer Don Huffines, who says he will operate a Christian retreat on the ranch.

Trump says Obama gave away secrets, calls podcast comments a ‘big mistake’

Trump has accused former President Barack Obama of revealing classified information over his comments about aliens.

During a podcast appearance last week, Trump said Obama made a “big mistake” by saying extraterrestrials are “real.”

Brian Tyler Cohen: “Are aliens real?”

Barack Obama: “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them, and they’re not being kept in, what is it?”

Cohen: “Area 51.”

Obama: “Area 51. There’s no underground facility, unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”

That clip of the interview spread quickly online, prompting Obama to clarify his comment a day later. He wrote on Instagram that he was speaking statistically.

“The universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. But the chances we’ve been visited by aliens are low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us,” Obama said.

But when asked about Obama’s comments by a reporter on Air Force One Thursday, Trump said Obama shared “classified information.”

President Donald Trump: “Well, he gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that.

Reporter: “So, aliens are real?”

Trump: “Well, I don’t know if they’re real or not. I can tell you he gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that. He made a big mistake. He took it out of classified information. No, I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.” 

The White House hasn’t detailed which rules the president believes were violated. But hours later, Trump said he had directed officials to begin releasing government files related to aliens and UFOs, writing on Truth Social that the declassification process would begin.

He didn’t provide a timeline.

The moment also comes amid scrutiny of Trump over classified material found at Mar-a-Lago.

As for Area 51 in the Nevada desert, the CIA acknowledged its existence in 2013, though it did not confirm the existence of alien technology, underground bunkers or extraterrestrial visitors.

For now, it’s less about UFOs and more about a podcast answer triggering a classified fight between two U.S. presidents. 

Remembering Eric Dane: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star dies at 53 following battle with ALS

Eric Dane, who starred as Mark Sloan — or “McSteamy” to fans — on the long-running television show “Grey’s Anatomy,” has died at 53. The news comes just 10 months after Dane was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 

Dane’s family confirmed his death with People.

He spent his final days with friends, his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. The family also asked for privacy.

Dane gained prominence from “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC, where he appeared from 2006 to 2012, with a guest appearance reprising his role in 2021. He also starred in HBO’s “Euphoria,” portraying Cal Jacobs in seasons one and two. 

Most recently, he made a guest appearance on NBC’s “Brilliant Minds,” playing a heroic firefighter diagnosed with ALS, the disease that Dane was battling in real life. It was his first on-screen role since revealing his diagnosis. 

ABC and 20th Television said his talent left a lasting impact and that his courage during his illness inspired many.

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His family said Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness and research.

Though he’s gone, his voice will continue; a memoir titled “Book of Days” is set to be published later this year.

Team USA dominates on ice with Olympic gold in hockey, free skate

A historic day for Team USA at the Winter Olympics: The women’s hockey team trailed arch-rival Canada with under 3 minutes left in the game. However, the U.S. pulled the goalie and, with an extra attacker on the ice, scored the tying goal. Captain Hilary Knight tipped in a shot from the point to send the game into overtime.

Then Megan Keller delivered the winner, making a beautiful outside-inside move to beat the Canadian defender. Her backhand shot then beat the goalie and went into the net.

The United States defeated Canada 2-to-1, avenging a heartbreaking loss to the Canadians at the 2022 Olympics.  

Also on the ice, American Alysa Liu delivered a skating program that will be talked about for decades: incredible spins and jumps, along with a marvelous routine in the women’s free skate.

She won the gold medal and was jumping for joy on the podium.

Liu left skating in 2022 to pursue other interests. But her comeback story is now complete. She’s the first American woman to win figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. 

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More from Straight Arrow News:

From pizza intimidation to murder attempts, American judges are under attack

A federal judge used a hearing to read death threats people sent her after a ruling where they wished her to die by suicide or murder. It’s not unique to her or one political party, as judges have raised concerns about judicial security and pressed for further protections. 

The threats against judges for carrying out their duties aren’t new. Josh Blackman, a South Texas College of Law professor, said during the civil rights era, judges in the South often asked other U.S. District Court judges to preside over desegregation cases. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced an assassination attempt for his opinion in a leaked memo. 

“It’s not surprising that people flip out and follow that lead,” Blackman said. “One feeds the other.
It’s a vicious cycle that doesn’t end well.”

What’s growing are the pleas from judges and courts at all levels for increased protections as they rule in criminal cases and, sometimes, high-profile civil cases. He said that many judges aren’t cowed by threats of violence, but it’s a vicious cycle in society.

“It is a problem,” Blackman told Straight Arrow News. Read the full story now>

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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief