The US says "all options are on the table" for Donald Trump to stop a brutal crackdown by the Iranian security forces on economic protesters.
Trump's envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, made the comment during an emergency Security Council meeting to discuss the Iran crisis. The US also warned Tehran’s leadership that any further killing will have “grave consequences” as a US aircraft carrier moves closer to the Middle East.
While Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in Iran, he also says he has received assurances that the authorities in Tehran will stop killing protesters and that there are no plans to execute hundreds who have been arrested.
"President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations. He has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter," Waltz told the Security Council meeting, which Washington had requested.
Iran's deputy UN ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi said Iran does not seek escalation or confrontation and accused Waltz of resorting to lies “to conceal his country’s direct involvement in steering unrest in Iran to violence”.The US dismissed allegations that the protests are “a foreign plot to give a precursor to military action”.
Key Points
- 'No plans for executions': Trump claims killings in Iran have stopped
- Iran's judiciary says Erfan Soltani will not be given death sentence
- UK ambassador and all staff evacuated from Iran
- UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Iran
- Trump warns Iran that any further killing will have 'grave consequences'
US envoy tells Iran: Trump is a 'man of action'
05:30 , Namita SinghThe US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called by the United States that "the people of Iran are demanding their freedom like never before in the Islamic Republic's brutal history."
He said the US message is clear: "President Donald J Trump and the United States of America stand by the brave people of Iran.""President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations," Waltz said.
"He has made it clear, all options are on the table to stop the slaughter, and no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime."
Waltz dismissed Iranian allegations that the protests are "a foreign plot" and precursor to military action saying: "Everyone in the world needs to know that the regime is weaker than ever before, and therefore is putting forward this lie because of the power of the Iranian people in the streets."
"They are afraid," he said. "They are afraid of their own people."
Russia accuses US of calling UN meeting to justify 'blatant aggression and interference' in Iran
05:00 , Namita SinghRussia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Moscow stands in solidary with Iran and backs its view that "hostile external forcers are attempting to exploit the current situation in order to overthrow a government they find objectionable and destroy the Islamic Republic of Iran as a sovereign and independent state.
"Russia called on the US "to stop making themselves out to be a global judge and put an end to their escalatory actions," he said.
Moscow also called on the UN's 193 member nations "to prevent a new large-scale escalation".
Nebenzia said the US's actions "risk plunging the region into even bloodier chaos – chaos that could easily spill beyond its borders”.
He appeared to blame the protesters themselves for the high death toll in a brutal crackdown by the security forces in Iran, pointing to the use of firearms, the killing of civilians and law enforcement officers and arson attacks on medical facilities and public institutions.
Iran accuses US of 'steering unrest'
04:30 , Namita SinghGholam Hossein Darzi, the deputy Iranian ambassador to the UN, has accused the US of "direct involvement in steering unrest in Iran to violence”.
"Under the hollow pretext of concern for the Iranian people and claims of support for human rights, the United States is attempting to portray itself as a friend of the Iranian people – while simultaneously laying the groundwork for political destabilisation and military intervention under a so-called 'humanitarian' narrative," Darzi said during his statement.
The Iranian official also called out the US for what it described as its own human rights abuses against protesters with the recent killing of Renee Good in Minnesota by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
France and Britain threaten new sanctions
04:00 , Namita SinghFrance's UN ambassador Jïrïme Bonnafont said that "given the scale and brutality of the repression" against protesters, the international community must denounce the violence.
He reiterated France's call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained and suspension of the death penalty and called for the rapid convening of a special session of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to address the situation in Iran and investigate rights violations.
Britain's deputy ambassador Archibald Young condemned Iran's actions "in the strongest possible terms" and paid tribute "to the courage of the Iranian people, particularly Iranian women”.
The United Kingdom has told Iran's foreign minister that "Iran must urgently change course" and respect the fundamental rights of Iranians, "including the right to protest without fear of violence or repression.
"If it doesn't, Young said the Group of Seven major industrialised nations, including the UK, has made clear that it will impose additional sanctions."The world is watching," he said.
New Zealand diplomatic staff leaves Iran
03:32 , Namita SinghNew Zealand has "temporarily" closed its embassy in Tehran, Iran, and moved consular operations to Ankara, Turkey, officials in Wellington said on Friday.
All New Zealand diplomatic staff left Iran on commercial flights during the past day, New Zealand's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The move followed remarks on Thursday by foreign minister Winston Peters, who said his government was "appalled by the escalation of violence and repression" in Iran.
"We condemn the brutal crackdown being carried out by Iran's security forces, including the killing of protesters," Peters posted on X.
The foreign ministry repeated official advice Friday that New Zealanders should avoid travel to Iran and "leave now" if they were already there.
They said the ability of New Zealand's government to provide consular help to the country's citizens in Iran was "extremely limited”.
Watch: Iran warns Trump 'next time bullet won't miss' in direct threat
03:00 , Bryony GoochIranian foreign minister calls on UN to condemn 'illegal US interventions'
02:00 , Bryony GoochAhead of the emergency UN Security Council meeting Thursday, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and secretary-general Antonio Guterres spoke by phone to discuss the recent deadly protests and Iran's request for the world body to do more to condemn what they call foreign influence in the Islamic Republic, according to a readout of the call posted on Iranian state TV.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Araghchi implored the top UN official to live up to the "serious expectation" that Iran's government and its people have of the UNs' role in condemning what the officials called "illegal US interventions against Iran."
Iranian dissident accuses UN of failing to adequately respond
01:00 , Bryony GoochMasih Alinejad, one of the most vocal Iranian dissidents in the US, accused the United Nations and the Security Council of failing "to respond with the urgency this moment demands" at the emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.
In October, two purported Russian mobsters were each sentenced to 25 years behind bars for hiring a hitman to kill Alinejad at her Brooklyn home on behalf of the Iranian government.
Sitting across the table from the Iranian ambassador to the UN, Alinejad, who came after an invitation from the US, said that "the members of this body have forgotten the privilege and responsibility of sitting in this room."
Recap: UN Security Council to discuss Iran's deadly protests after US request
00:00 , Bryony GoochThe UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting Thursday to discuss Iran's deadly protests at the request of the United States, even as president Donald Trump left unclear what actions he would take against the Islamic Republic.
Tehran appeared to make conciliatory statements in an effort to defuse the situation after Trump threatened to take action to stop further killing of protesters, including the execution of anyone detained in Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "All options remain on the table for the president."
Iran's crackdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,615, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported. The death toll exceeds any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Where are the main US military bases located in the Middle East?
Thursday 15 January 2026 23:00 , Bryony Gooch
Where are the main US military bases located in the Middle East?
In pictures: Iranians residing in Armenia hold a demonstration in solidarity with protestors
Thursday 15 January 2026 22:00 , Bryony Gooch
'All options on table to stop slaughter in Iran' says US ambassador to UN
Thursday 15 January 2026 21:32 , Bryony GoochThe United States stands by the “brave people of Iran” and president Donald Trump "has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter," US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the UN Security Council on Thursday.
It comes after White House press secretary said that Trump had warned Tehran that any further killing would have “grave consequences”.
How Iran’s internet blackout is affecting your social media feed
Thursday 15 January 2026 21:00 , Bryony Gooch
How Iran’s internet blackout is affecting your social media feed
Watch: Exiled Iranian Crown Prince says protest death toll could more than 12,000
Thursday 15 January 2026 20:30 , Bryony GoochFour Arab states urged against US-Iran escalation, official says
Thursday 15 January 2026 20:00 , Bryony GoochFour Arab states conducted intense diplomacy with the United States and Iran this week to prevent a threatened U.S. attack on Iran over Tehran's use of force against protesters that they feared would have impacts across the region, a Gulf official said.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt were involved in the diplomacy over 48 hours before US president Donald Trump signalled on Thursday that he had ultimately decided against an attack for now, saying the killings in Iran were easing.
IFRC warns safety of humanitarian workers need protecting as one worker dies
Thursday 15 January 2026 19:30 , Bryony GoochThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has shared a tribute after staff member Amir Ali Latifi was killed and five other workers were wounded in the line of duty in Gillan province on Saturday.
A statement reads: “The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues.
“We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all medical and humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance during this difficult time. Humanitarian workers must be protected.
“The Iranian Red Crescent Society is a humanitarian organization and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, operating in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality and Independence.
“The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.
“The IFRC is deeply concerned about the consequences of the ongoing unrest on the people of Iran and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.”
In pictures: Photos come out of Tehran as country remains in Internet blackout
Thursday 15 January 2026 19:00 , Bryony Gooch
Trump warns Iran that any further killing will have 'grave consequences'
Thursday 15 January 2026 18:52 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump has warned Tehran’s leadership that any further killing will have “grave consequences” as he continues to “closely monitor” the situation on the ground in Iran.
The US president has refused to rule out strikes on Iran, although he paused his threat of imminent strikes on Wednesday as Iran promised it would relent on its brutal crackdown of protests following more than two weeks of bitter nationwide unrest.
The White House said that so far 800 executions had been halted in what appeared to be a de-escalation in Iran.
Recap: Sanctions imposed on Iranian officials and prison
Thursday 15 January 2026 18:30 , Bryony GoochThe US on Thursday imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials it accused of being behind the crackdown on protests and said it was tracking Iranian leaders' funds being wired to international banks, as President Donald Trump keeps the pressure on Tehran.
The US treasury department in a statement said it imposed sanctions on the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security as well as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement forces commanders, accusing them of being architects of the crackdown.
The US also imposed sanctions on Fardis Prison, where the State Department said women had "endured cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a video on Thursday said Washington's message to Iran's leaders was clear: "US Treasury knows, that like rats on a sinking ship, you are frantically wiring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world. Rest assured, we will track them and you."
"But there's still time, if you choose to join us. As President Trump has said, stop the violence and stand with the people of Iran."
What are the latest casualty figures in Iran?
Thursday 15 January 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday that “we’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping”.
Reporting on casualties has been hindered by the internet blackout across the country, now more than 156 hours in, per NetBlocks.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Wednesday that it had been able to verify 2,615 deaths, of which 2,435 were attributed to protesters and 153 were security forces and government supporters.
Some 882 deaths were still under investigation, it said.
13 of the deaths were attributed to people under the age of 18.
ICYMI: Iran says 'hanging is out of the question'
Thursday 15 January 2026 17:30 , James ReynoldsIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday "there is no plan" by Iran to hang people, when asked about the anti-government protests in the Middle Eastern nation.
"There is no plan for hanging," the foreign minister told Fox News in an interview on the "Special Report with Bret Baier" show. "Hanging is out of the question," he said.
Analysis: Regime treating dissent as a 'proto-revolution', says research group
Thursday 15 January 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsThe Institute for the Study of War, an American research group and advocacy think tank, assessed in its latest analysis that the Iranian regime has stopped distinguishing between legitimate protest and illegitimate anti-regime protests, viewing the unrest as a proto-revolution it must crush entirely.
The Iranians resisting the regime, in some cases violently, has reinforced the view that the protests retain the potential to turn into a revolution, it said.
This comes despite Donald Trump’s insistence that the regime is letting up on its vicious crackdown.
The organisation recorded zero protests on January 14, but said the regime is “sustaining repressive measures that impose a significant cost on the regime”.
“This suggests that the regime does not perceive that the threat from protests has subsided,” it said.
Watch: How Iran’s internet blackout is reshaping everyone’s algorithm
Thursday 15 January 2026 16:30 , James ReynoldsThe world is getting more dangerous, says Putin
Thursday 15 January 2026 16:11 , James ReynoldsVladimir Putin said on Thursday that the international situation that the world was getting more dangerous - but stopped short of mentioning Iran and Venezuela.
The Russian president’s foreign ministry has repeatedly taken aim at the US in recent days over its military operations and threats overseas.
Putin himself has yet to comment in public on the toppling of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, the protests in Iran or Trump’s threats to Greenland.
"The situation on the international stage is increasingly deteriorating - I don't think anyone would argue with that - long-standing conflicts are intensifying, and new serious flashpoints are emerging," Putin said.
In conversation with NetBlocks: How Iran’s internet blackout is quietly affecting your social media feed
Thursday 15 January 2026 15:30 , James ReynoldsIn an exclusive interview with The Independent, Alp Toker, founder of NetBlocks explains how the internet shutdown in Iran is not just causing local disruption.
“When there is a void or an information vacuum from a certain area, the algorithm still has to satisfy its constraints”, Toker says.
“That content is no longer what the user actually expected or wanted. It's now less relevant information, potentially even misleading or disinformation or misinformation that's going from irrelevant sources or those trying to alter the narrative.”
Watch the full video:
How Iran’s internet blackout is affecting your social media feed
Trump unveils new sanctions on Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 15:12 , James ReynoldsThe Trump administration has issued new Iran-related sanctions, targeting more than a dozen individuals and entities.
Red Crescent says staff member killed in Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Thursday it was deeply saddened by the killing of Amir Ali Latifi, an Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) staff member, and the wounding of five colleagues.
They were all in the line of duty in Gillan province, on 10 January 2026, a statement read. The organisation did not share details.
“The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues,” a statement read.
“The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.
“The IFRC is deeply concerned about the consequences of the ongoing unrest on the people of Iran and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.”
Canadian dies in Iran at the hands of the authorities, says Ottawa
Thursday 15 January 2026 14:57 , James ReynoldsA Canadian citizen has died in Iran at the hands of the Iranian authorities, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Thursday.
"Peaceful protests by the Iranian people - asking that their voices be heard in the face of the Iranian regime's repression and ongoing human rights violations - has led the regime to flagrantly disregard human life," she said.
Analysis: Regime treating dissent as a 'proto-revolution', says research group
Thursday 15 January 2026 14:30 , James ReynoldsThe Institute for the Study of War, an American research group and advocacy think tank, assessed in its latest analysis that the Iranian regime has stopped distinguishing between legitimate protest and illegitimate anti-regime protests, viewing the unrest as a proto-revolution it must crush entirely.
The Iranians resisting the regime, in some cases violently, has reinforced the view that the protests retain the potential to turn into a revolution, it said.
This comes despite Donald Trump’s insistence that the regime is letting up on its vicious crackdown.
The organisation recorded zero protests on January 14, but said the regime is “sustaining repressive measures that impose a significant cost on the regime”.
“This suggests that the regime does not perceive that the threat from protests has subsided,” it said.
Watch: Exiled Iranian Crown Prince says protest death toll could more than 12,000
Thursday 15 January 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsChina calls for 'dialogue' in mediating conflict
Thursday 15 January 2026 13:45 , James ReynoldsChina’s foreign minister called for ‘dialogue and restraint’ in resolving conflicts in a call with his Iranian counterpart today.
Wang Yi told Iran’s Abbas Araqchi that China opposed the use or threat of force in international relations.
He also said he believed the Iran and its people could overcome their ongoing difficulties and safeguard national stability - after a brutal crackdown on antigovernment protests over the last two weeks.
Yi added that Beijing was willing to play a constructive role in resolving differences.
ICYMI: Trump claims killing is stopping in Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 13:30 , James ReynoldsA timeline of the Iran protests
Thursday 15 January 2026 13:00 , James Reynolds28 December: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to a new low.
29 December: The central bank head resigns as the protests spread and police fire tear gas at protesters.
30 December: President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to work with business leaders to hear their demands as university campuses join protests.
31 December: Protests in Fasa allegedly turn violent after crowds break into the governor’s office.
1 January: The protests' first fatalities are officially reported, with authorities saying at least seven people have been killed.
2 January: Trump threatens Iran if it kills peaceful protesters.
3 January: Khamenei greenlights security forces to crack down on dissent. Protests reach 170 locations with 15 dead.
8 January: The government blocks the internet as opposition leader in exile Reza Pahlavi rallies calls for action.
9 January: Iran ramps up threats of punishment with 65 reported killed and 2,300 detained.
11 January: Iran’s parliament speaker threatens to strike US military bases in the region if Trump attacks, as rights groups say 538 people have now been killed. Arrests reportedly pass 10,000.
12 January: Trump announces tariffs on any country doing business with Iran. The ISW reports protests have thinned significantly since their peak on 8 January, likely due to the internet blackouts.
13 January: HRANA reports more than 2,000 verified deaths as Donald Trump tells protesters that help is “on the way”. Russia backs Iran, denouncing “subversive external interference” from the US.
14 January: Tehran says it will not execute protesters as troops clear out of Al Udeid in apparent preparation for strikes. Donald Trump climbs down and says Iran is not killing protesters.
Iran vows to 'firmly defend' border
Thursday 15 January 2026 12:48 , James ReynoldsIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi vowed to “firmly defend” the country’s borders in a call with his Saudi counterpart on Thursday.
The Saudi foreign minister shared concern over the potential consequences of escalation, emphasising the importance of diplomacy, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
ICYMI: Trump suspends visas for Iran, Russia
Thursday 15 January 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsThe Trump administration is suspending processing for immigrant visas for applicants from Iran and Russia, among 75 countries affected as part of an intensifying immigration crackdown.
The pause will begin on January 21, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"Applicants from these countries are at a high risk for becoming a public charge and recourse to local, state and federal government resources in the United States," a cable sent to US missions said.
The move, which was first reported by Fox News, does not impact US visitor visas, in the spotlight given the United States is hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
What are the latest casualty figures in Iran?
Thursday 15 January 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday that “we’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping”.
Reporting on casualties has been hindered by the internet blackout across the country, now more than 156 hours in, per NetBlocks.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Wednesday that it had been able to verify 2,615 deaths, of which 2,435 were attributed to protesters and 153 were security forces and government supporters.
Some 882 deaths were still under investigation, it said.
13 of the deaths were attributed to people under the age of 18.
UN Security Council to hold a meeting on Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 11:49 , James ReynoldsThe UN security council has scheduled an emergency meeting for this afternoon to discuss developments in Iran.
It was tabled at the request of the US.
Watch: 'Hanging is out of the question,' claims Iranian foreign minister
Thursday 15 January 2026 11:30 , James Reynolds‘I worry we will be the next Libya or Iraq’: Iranians living under blackout share hopes and fears for future
Thursday 15 January 2026 11:00 , James Reynolds“For the first time, I feel truly hopeful,” ‘Liyana’ said, after more than a week of unrest across Iran. “These protests are massive. Huge numbers of people are defying the curfews.”
She was speaking to The Independent’s Suha Kidwai through a borrowed StarLink dish, with the regime still blocking the internet and calls.
“This is so much bigger than what we saw after Mahsa [Amini]– I really think this could be it. This could be the time that Iran is freed.”
Iranians living through the protests spoke about their hopes and fears for the future. Read the full story:
Iranians living under blackout share hopes and fears for future
What happened overnight?
Thursday 15 January 2026 10:30 , James ReynoldsHundreds of troops and six refueling tankers were moved from the major US air base in Qatar on Wednesday, raising concerns Washington was preparing strikes on Iran over its treatment of protesters.
Saudi Arabia told Iran that its land and airspace would not be used in a strike, sources told the AFP news agency, and a Western military official said that “all the signals are that a US attack is imminent”.
Trump had warned Iran he would take “very strong action” if Iran started executing protesters. Attention was on 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, who rights groups said was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday for his involvement.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi rushed to Fox News to insist that “there is no plan for hanging at all”. It was “out of the question”, he said.
And then, Trump pulled back. He told reporters: “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping.”
“It’s stopped, it’s stopping,” he said. “There’s no plan for executions.”
Iranian state media subsequently reported that Erfan Soltani has not been sentenced to death.
Rights groups HRANA claimed that it had confirmed over 2,600 deaths and 18,470 arrests across the country. Information was still limited by the ongoing internet blackout, it noted.
High inflation, currency collapse and soaring food prices: The damning numbers behind Iran’s economic implosion
Thursday 15 January 2026 10:00 , James ReynoldsA currency crash led thousands of Iranians onto the streets late last month. Karl Matchett looks at how Tehran was plunged into economic crisis – and why it is unlikely to improve:
The damning numbers behind Iran’s economic implosion as currency crumbles
Trump remains unsold on Pahlavi
Thursday 15 January 2026 09:50 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday he was unclear whether Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi would be able to muster support within Iran to eventually take over.
"He seems very nice, but I don't know how he'd play within his own country," Trump said. "And we really aren't up to that point yet.
"I don't know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me."
Trump's comments went further in questioning Pahlavi's ability to lead Iran, after he said last week that he had no plans to meet with him.
It will come as a blow to the crown prince in exile, a fierce critics of the regime, who has been trying to rally support for the protests in Iran.
‘I worry we will be the next Libya or Iraq’: Iranians living under blackout share hopes and fears for future
Thursday 15 January 2026 09:00 , James Reynolds“For the first time, I feel truly hopeful,” ‘Liyana’ said, after more than a week of unrest across Iran. “These protests are massive. Huge numbers of people are defying the curfews.”
She was speaking to The Independent’s Suha Kidwai through a borrowed StarLink dish, with the regime still blocking the internet and calls.
“This is so much bigger than what we saw after Mahsa [Amini]– I really think this could be it. This could be the time that Iran is freed.”
Iranians living through the protests spoke about their hopes and fears for the future. Read the full story:
Iranians living under blackout share hopes and fears for future
What are the latest casualty figures in Iran?
Thursday 15 January 2026 08:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday that “we’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping”.
Reporting on casualties has been hindered by the internet blackout across the country, now more than 156 hours in, per NetBlocks.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Wednesday that it had been able to verify 2,615 deaths, of which 2,435 were attributed to protesters and 153 were security forces and government supporters.
Some 882 deaths were still under investigation, it said.
13 of the deaths were attributed to people under the age of 18.
What happened overnight?
Thursday 15 January 2026 07:56 , James ReynoldsHundreds of troops and six refueling tankers were moved from the major US air base in Qatar on Wednesday, raising concerns Washington was preparing strikes on Iran over its treatment of protesters.
Saudi Arabia told Iran that its land and airspace would not be used in a strike, sources told the AFP news agency, and a Western military official said that “all the signals are that a US attack is imminent”.
Trump had warned Iran he would take “very strong action” if Iran started executing protesters. Attention was on 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, who rights groups said was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday for his involvement.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi rushed to Fox News to insist that “there is no plan for hanging at all”. It was “out of the question”, he said.
And then, Trump pulled back. He told reporters: “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping.”
“It’s stopped, it’s stopping,” he said. “There’s no plan for executions.”
Iranian state media subsequently reported that Erfan Soltani has not been sentenced to death.
Rights groups HRANA claimed that it had confirmed over 2,600 deaths and 18,470 arrests across the country. Information was still limited by the ongoing internet blackout, it noted.
Iranians attend the funerals of security forces personnel killed in Tehran
Thursday 15 January 2026 07:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Oil drops as Trump calms Iran fears
Thursday 15 January 2026 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices retreated from multi-month highs today and gold eased from a record peak after US president Donald Trump calmed market anxiety over potential US military action against Iran.
A selloff in tech stocks extended into Asian trading, following declines on Wall Street, as investors rotated out of high-flying chip and artificial intelligence-related names while searching for bargains in other parts of the market.
Brent crude futures dropped 3.4 per cent to $64.25 and Nymex futures sank 3.4 per cent to $59.89, after vaulting as high as $66.82 and $62.36, respectively, in the previous session.
Mr Trump yesterday claimed that he had been told that killings in Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests were subsiding and he believed there was currently no plan for large-scale executions.
Who is Erfan Soltani?
Thursday 15 January 2026 07:11 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarErfan Soltani,26, was arrested at his home and rushed through the justice system to face the death penalty on Wednesday as the regime steps up its brutal crackdown on dissent, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway.
More here.
Who is Erfan Soltani and why is Iran expected to execute protester today?
Middle East nations advise US to avoid Iran conflict, diplomat says
Thursday 15 January 2026 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarMajor Middle East governments are discouraging the Donald Trump administration from waging a war with Iran, fearing "unprecedented consequences" in the volatile region, an Arab Gulf diplomat told The Associated Press.
The Cairo-based diplomat, who was given anonymity because he wasn't authorised to speak to the media, said major governments in the region, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, have been "in constant contact" with the US administration over a potential American strike on Iran that could explode into a "full-blown war”.
Such a war will "certainly" have dire repercussions, not only on the Middle East but also on the global economy," he said.
Iran's judiciary says Erfan Soltani will not be given death sentence
Thursday 15 January 2026 06:57 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarErfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian man arrested during protests, has not been sentenced to death, the country's judiciary said, according to local media.
The judiciary said Mr Soltani, currently held in the central penitentiary of Karaj, is being charged with "colluding against the country's internal security and propaganda activities against the regime" but that the death penalty does not apply to such charges if they are confirmed by a court.
Mr Soltani was arrested at his home and rushed through the justice system to face the death penalty on Wednesday as the regime steps up its brutal crackdown on dissent, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway.
He is among 18,434 individuals who have been arrested by Iranian authorities for joining the protests.
UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe UN Security Council will meet this afternoon to discuss the situation in Iran after the US requested an emergency meeting.
"I can now confirm that the [Security Council] presidency intends to schedule a briefing on the situation in Iran .... on Thursday ... requested by the United States," said Khadija Ahmed, the spokesperson for the Somali mission.
'No plans for executions': Trump claims killings in Iran have stopped
Thursday 15 January 2026 05:30 , Mike BediganUK ambassador and all staff evacuated from Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 04:45 , Mike BediganThe UK ambassador to Iran and all his staff have been evacuated from from the embassy in Tehran, British officials said Wednesday.
The decision had been taken based on the assessment of the security situation and to prioritize the safety of staff, as the U.S. weighs up launching strikes on Iran, according to Politico.
“We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely. Foreign Office travel advice has now been updated to reflect this consular change,” a UK government spokesperson said.
Trump says 'any regime can fall' when pushed on Iran
Thursday 15 January 2026 04:30 , Mike BediganSpeaking to the Reuters news agency in a new interview, US President Donald Trump said it was possible the government in Tehran could fall due to the protests, but added that "any regime can fail."
"Whether or not it falls or not, it's going to be an interesting period of time," he said.
Flights appear to resume as Iranian airspace tentatively reopens
Thursday 15 January 2026 04:15 , Mike BediganSome domestic flights in Iran have appeared to be resuming, shortly after the nation’s airspace was closed to all flights except those with prior permission.
“With the NOTAM [notice to airman] closing Iranian airspace expired, some flights are now making their way toward Tehran,” flight tracker website Flightradar24 said on X.
With the NOTAM closing Iranian airspace expired, some flights are now making their way toward Tehran. https://t.co/IGaj36AUvI pic.twitter.com/Rhs03kbsmr
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 15, 2026
Several commercial flights were airborne Thursday morning local time, and heading towards airports in Tehran, the data showed.
It comes after US President Donald Trump said he has been told that the killing of protesters in Iran had been stopped.
Trump says Iranian opposition figure 'seems very nice'
Thursday 15 January 2026 04:00 , ReutersUS President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi "seems very nice" but expressed uncertainty over whether Pahlavi would be able to muster support within Iran to eventually take over.
"He seems very nice, but I don't know how he'd play within his own country," Trump told Reuters. "And we really aren't up to that point yet.”
The president added: "I don't know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me."
Trump's comments went further in questioning Pahlavi's ability to lead Iran after saying last week that he had no plans to meet with him.
Exiled Iranian crown prince says victory is 'so close'
Thursday 15 January 2026 03:30 , Rachel DobkinExiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, said the Iranian people are “so close” to victory as he thanked the US for its support.
“Thank you so much for all your words of support for my compatriots in the darkest time in our history,” Pahlvi said, following a meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham Wednesday.
“But hopefully, as we say in Iran, in Farsi, the end of the dark night is light, and this is probably the first time we have our so close to victory.”
He added: “To witness the resilience of my compatriots... They are fighting a great fight, and any solidarity can only help them achieve that goal sooner.”
“I believe with all my heart, that help is on the way,” Graham said while sitting next to Pahlavi in a video shared online.
Meeting with @PahlaviReza, the exiled crown prince of Iran.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 14, 2026
We stand with the people of Iran and against the brutal regime.
Make Iran Great Again. pic.twitter.com/4eNcBwIqmQ
US President Donald Trump has threatened strikes over the regime’s brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.
