Morning Briefing: Feb. 23, 2026

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Oman confirming that a fresh round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations will be held in Geneva this Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to regional peace while warning it is prepared for “any possible scenario,” the killing of seven members of Mexico's New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG), including the group's leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," during an operation carried out by Mexican Army Special Forces, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urging calm following the killing of “El Mencho,” and the White House confirming that the US provided intelligence support for the Mexican operation in Jalisco that resulted in El Mencho’s death.

TOP STORIES

• Next round of US-Iran negotiations set for Geneva this Thursday, Oman says

The United States and Iran will hold a new round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, Oman’s foreign minister confirmed.

“Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal,” Badr Albusaidi wrote on the US social media company X’s platform.

The two sides resumed diplomacy earlier this month in the Omani capital Muscat and a second round in Geneva.

• Iranian president says committed to peace, country ready for 'any possible scenario'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country is committed to peace and stability but is also prepared for any possible scenario.

“Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. We continue to closely monitor the steps taken by the US and have made all necessary preparations for every possible scenario,” Pezeshkian wrote on his account on the US social media company X’s platform.

• 7 cartel members killed as Mexican forces take down CJNG leader 'El Mencho'

Seven members of Mexico's New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) were killed, including the group's leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," during a military operation carried out by Mexican Army Special Forces in the western state of Jalisco.

Mexico's Defense Ministry stated that Special Forces in collaboration with the National Intelligence Center and the Attorney General's Office planned and carried out the operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a known CJNG stronghold, deploying multiple Air Force aircraft and National Guard units with the aim of apprehending Oseguera.

• Mexican president urges calm after killing of 'El Mencho,’ says there is ‘absolute coordination’ with states

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said there is "absolute coordination" with all state governments following the killing of New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."

"There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm," Sheinbaum said on the US social media company X’s platform, adding that “activities are proceeding normally throughout most of the country.”

Mexico's Defense Ministry said that Special Forces carried out the operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a known CJNG stronghold, with the aim of apprehending Oseguera.

• US provided intelligence to Mexico in operation that killed cartel leader 'El Mencho': White House

The US provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in a major operation that resulted in the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the White House confirmed.

"The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated," spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on the US social media company X’s platform.

Leavitt said ‘El Mencho’ was a "top target" for both Mexico and the US as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into the United States.

She noted that President Donald Trump designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization last year.

"In this operation, three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded, and two were arrested," she said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Gaza policy sank former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 election bid: Report
• Nigerian forces neutralized at least 25 members of the ISIS-affiliated terrorist group ISWAP in operations in northeastern Borno state, said authorities.
• Israel’s security cabinet convened to discuss the possibility of a US strike on Iran and the risk of a broader regional conflict, a report said.
• At least 17 people were killed and 24 injured when a passenger bus heading to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu from the city of Pokhara fell into the Tishuli River in Dhading district.
• France said it would summon the US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, following comments from US officials about the killing of a French far-right activist.
• A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off Malaysia, the US Geological Survey said.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed in Baghdad with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack efforts to prevent regional escalation and the importance of dialogue to resolve disputes.
• Footage showed an illegal Israeli settler entering a Palestinian home in the Masafer Yatta area of the southern West Bank accompanied by his donkey in what activists describe as part of mounting settler intimidation targeting local residents.
• The Somali information minister said 17 al-Shabaab "commanders" were “neutralized” over the past six months.
• A powerful winter storm is battering the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern US, bringing heavy snow, blizzard conditions, high winds and coastal flooding, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered a “comprehensive and impartial investigation” into incidents that occurred during anti-government protests in January.
• Iran signed a secret missile agreement worth approximately €500 million ($589 million) with Russia in order to rebuild its air defense system, the Financial Times claimed in a report.
• A man was shot and killed by US Secret Service agents after breaching the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida estate of US President Donald Trump, authorities said.
• Greenland said that medical help is not needed from other countries, rejecting US President Donald Trump's offer to send a hospital ship to the region he desires to take over.
• French President Emmanuel Macron has asked US President Donald Trump to lift “unjustly imposed sanctions” on several European citizens, including two French nationals, media reports said.
• The UK’s defense secretary said he wants to deploy British troops to Ukraine, calling it a move that would signal the end of Russia’s war, which is set this week to mark its fourth anniversary.
• Syria's justice minister said the government has demanded the handover of former President Bashar al-Assad and all those involved with him as authorities move forward with a transitional justice process.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, will visit Israel on Wednesday and deliver a speech before the Knesset.
• If the Druzhba oil pipeline is shut down, Hungary will veto the EU’s latest sanctions package against Russia, the nation’s prime minister said.
• The Israeli army has detained more than 100 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a Palestinian rights group said.
• Indonesian security forces continued evacuating workers, including 26 Chinese nationals, from a gold mining site in Central Papua province following an armed assault that killed two people, local media reported.
• US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington is "hopeful" that it has put proposals to both Russia and Ukraine that could bring them together “in the next three weeks” and potentially result in a summit between their presidents.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied two pleas by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces crimes against humanity charges, just a day before the confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague, local media reported.
• US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said that Iran could be about "a week away" from producing industrial-grade bomb-making material, calling the situation “very dangerous” and reiterating Washington’s red lines in ongoing nuclear talks.
• Russia and Ukraine accused each other of overnight airstrikes that have killed two and injured nine others.
• A Palestinian teenager died of wounds he sustained from Israeli army fire in the northern West Bank, the Health Ministry said.
• Ukraine said that at least one person was killed and 24 others were injured due to the detonation of explosive devices in the country’s western city of Lviv.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Syria secures $50M in World Bank funding to revamp transport infrastructure

Syria has secured a $50 million funding package from the World Bank to support priority transport projects as the government moves to rehabilitate infrastructure and stimulate an economic recovery, Syrian media reported.

Transport Minister Yarub Badr reached the agreement during talks in Damascus with Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank’s regional director for the Middle East, according to the SANA news agency.

The funding will go toward purchasing 15 new locomotives and conducting a technical assessment of existing railway engines to determine maintenance and upgrade requirements across Syria’s rail network.

• Türkiye, Saudi Arabia to sign 2nd phase of 5GW renewable energy deal at COP31

Türkiye and the Saudi Arabian company Acwa are set to sign the second phase of a 5-gigawatt renewable energy cooperation deal at the UN climate summit COP31 to be held in Antalya, Türkiye later this year, Acwa chairman Mohammad Abunayyan told Anadolu.

The planned signing would cover the remaining 3 gigawatts of capacity under a government-to-government agreement between the two countries following a deal for the first 2 gigawatts of solar projects in Türkiye's central provinces of Sivas and Karaman.