Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Welcome to T&M Edge
Fast-moving events can reshape the security landscape overnight – whether oceans away or in our streets. In these times, staying informed is more than an advantage; it is a necessity. That’s why T&M is pleased to launch T&M Edge, a newsletter that delivers timely and actionable insights for busy security professionals like you.
Each edition of T&M Edge will dissect the security consequences of major events, from geopolitical shifts to cyberattacks, from natural disasters to workplace violence.
When we highlight an event or trend in T&M Edge, it’s a heads-up worth your time and attention because exploring security implications today could safeguard your operations tomorrow.
Why T&M Edge?
- Curated Analysis
- Concise Takeaways
- Valuable Insights
- Practical Strategies
- Expert Perspectives
- Best Practices
As we know, staying safe in today’s world takes more than reacting. It requires information/intel, preparation, and action. T&M Edge will help identify patterns and help you plan appropriately. T&M Edge will explore how events at home and abroad may impact your business or community and offer proactive steps to address emerging threats.
We look forward to navigating the future with you.
Remain Vigilant,
George Sax, Chief Security Officer, T&M USA LLC
GLOBAL SECURITY – IRAN
T&M Edge Perspective:
Tensions with Iran raise risk concerns for corporations with people and assets across the Middle East and for businesses involved with brands commonly associated with the U.S.
Impacts could extend well beyond Iran itself and include increased military posturing, airspace disruptions and potential proxy activity, such as malicious cyber activity. All this means a greater potential for rapid deterioration—with little warning.
These dynamics challenge an organization’s ability to quickly locate, communicate, and support their personnel. Communication methods could become impacted, or travel routes and local resources become unavailable.
Robust real-time tracking, redundant communications, clearly defined escalation and evacuation triggers, and proper response planning are essential to maintaining duty-of-care standards. Reassess travel risk policies, approval thresholds and non-essential travel. Provide pre-trip briefings and enforce continuous check-ins for travelers in higher-risk corridors.
Just as critical are brand and reputational considerations: any incident involving business disruption, employee harm or detention, or perceived inaction can rapidly attract adverse media coverage and stakeholder scrutiny.
Now is the time to review coordinated crisis management plans to ensure fast and credible responses that protect both people and reputation in this volatile geopolitical environment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact T&M USA LLC. 212 422-0000; tmusallc.com; info@tmusallc.com.
NEWS COVERAGE
Exclusive: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations
“The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Trump orders an attack, two U.S. officials told Reuters, in what could become a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries. This raises the stakes for the diplomacy underway between the U.S. and Iran.” Reuters
Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz as it held latest round of indirect talks with US
“Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday for live fire military drills in a rare show of force as its negotiators held another round of indirect talks with the United States in Geneva over its disputed nuclear program.
It was the first time Iran has announced the closure of the key international waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, since the U.S. began threatening Iran and rushing military assets to the region. It marks a further escalation in a weekslong standoff that could ignite another war in the Middle East.” AP
Iran’s supreme leader threatens to sink US warships as nuclear talks continue
“‘A warship is a dangerous device, but more dangerous than that is a weapon that can send that warship deep under the sea,’ he told cheering crowds.” SkyNews
Iran Holds Exercises in Strait of Hormuz After Trump Threatens Military Action
“Iran held live military exercises on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a day before nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran were set to resume, an apparent show of its power as President Trump threatens military action and calls for regime change if diplomacy fails. The drills, led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, were meant to address ‘potential security and military threats,’ the state-run IRNA news agency reported.” NYTimes
Trump told Netanyahu he would support Israeli strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile program, sources say
“CBS News has learned that internal discussions between senior figures in the U.S. military and intelligence community have started to contemplate the possibility of supporting a fresh round of Israeli strikes on Iran. American deliberations have focused less on whether Israel could act than on how the U.S. might assist, including the provision of aerial refueling for Israeli aircraft and the delicate matter of securing overflight permission from countries along the potential route.” CBSNews
Son of Iran’s last shah urges US action as 200,000 supporters rally in Munich
“The exiled son of Iran’s last shah said he was ready to lead the country to a ‘secular democratic future’ at a rally in Munich on Saturday, February 14, after President Trump said a change of power would be the ‘best thing.’ It came as Washington continued to engage diplomatically with Tehran’s government, with Switzerland confirming that mediator Oman would host a fresh round of talks in Geneva.” LeMonde
US sending world’s biggest aircraft carrier to Middle East as tensions with Iran increase
“The U.S. is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group already positioned in the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) area, as tensions between Washington and Tehran ratchet up.
The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships are being sent to the Middle East as the Trump administration beefs up its military presence near Iran, President Trump confirmed Friday.’’ TheHill
Iran threatens to hit US bases if America launches attack in dramatic warning
“Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that Tehran would target US military bases in the region if American forces launch an attack on Iran. Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera TV on Saturday, February 7th it would be impossible to attack American soil but Iranian forces could strike bases hosted by allied countries because they are within reach.” SkyNewsAustralia
1 month after Iran regime’s deadliest crackdown, the death toll mounts as repression deepens
“While international media coverage has gradually shifted toward renewed negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic over Tehran’s nuclear program, human rights groups and Iranians inside and outside the country warn that repression on the ground has intensified. They describe an atmosphere of fear, torture, and systemic violence ruling the country.
More than 6,400 protesters have been killed and over 51,500 arrested on charges linked to the demonstrations, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Over 11,000 more related deaths remain under review.” ABCNews
Israeli tourism ministry develops plan to evacuate some 42,000 tourists in event of new Iran war
“Israeli airlines announced they were easing the terms under which passengers can cancel tickets if necessary, amid concerns that a war with Iran may break out, which would likely ground flights.
As Israel remains on high alert over any potential escalation, a number of airlines have canceled some flights to and from the Middle East. During the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, Israeli airspace was effectively shut, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded.” TheTimesofIsrael
Airlines weigh Middle East cancellations after U.S. strikes in Iran
“Airlines were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as a conflict which has already cut off major flight routes entered a new phase after the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran vowed to defend itself.
Cancellations in recent days to typically resilient aviation hubs such as Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport, and Qatar’s Doha by international carriers show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated.” CNBC