Donald Trump is considering launching fresh strikes against Iran in an effort to galvanise civilian protesters and topple the regime, according to two US sources familiar with talks.
The president is said to be weighing options to hit commanders and institutions held responsible for the recent violence, giving protesters the confidence to overrun regime buildings, the sources told Reuters.
Trump has not yet made a final decision, including whether to take the military path, one of the sources and a US official said, after the president announced a “massive armada” was heading for Iran.
Officials said that the administration was hosting Israeli and Saudi defence officials in the United States this week to discuss the burgeoning crisis.
A Saudi delegation was said to be passing messages to the US in an effort to de-escalate the situation, while the Israelis were in Washington DC to share intelligence on possible targets, Axios reported.
Tehran has vowed to respond to aggression with unprecedented ferocity, after Trump told them to cut a deal or face conflict.
Key Points
- Trump warns Iran time is running out and says ‘our next attack will be far worse’
- Tehran has 'finger on the trigger' and is ready to respond
- Rubio says build up in the Middle East 'defensive' against weakened regime
- China warns against ‘military adventurism’ targeting Iran
- More than 6,000 deaths confirmed in Iran while 17,000 still under investigation
Iran says Europe is 'fanning the flames of war' in scathing criticism
16:05 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister took aim at European leaders in a scathing post on social media after the EU unveiled fresh sanctions on officials and proscribed the IRGC.
“Several countries are presently attempting to avert the eruption of all-out war in our region. None of them are European,” Abbas Araghchi wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.
“Europe is instead busy fanning the flames. After pursuing 'snapback' at the behest of the U.S., it is now making another major strategic mistake by designating our National Military as a supposed "terrorist organization".”
Araghchi criticised Europe over what he called the “blatant hypocrisy of its selective outrage”, “taking zero action” over Israel’s conduct in Gaza while “rushing to ‘defend human rights’ in Iran”.
Thousands of people are estimated to have died in the regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters this month.
“Moreover, as the continent is certain to be massively impacted by an all-out war in our region—including the knock-on effects of surging energy prices—the EU's current posture is deeply damaging to its own interests. Europeans deserve better than what their governments have to offer,” he said.
No 10 welcomes EU plan to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists – but won’t say if UK will do the same
16:00 , James ReynoldsDowning Street has welcomed new EU sanctions on Iran, which include plans to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation – despite the UK not moving to proscribe the group.
The bloc adopted new sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in the violent crackdown and is now poised to include the IRGC – the military group loyal to the Iranian regime – on its list of terrorist organisations.
Read the full story:
No 10 backs EU plan to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists but won’t say if UK will follow
EU unveils fresh sanctions on Iranian officials
15:30 , James ReynoldsThe EU today unveiled fresh sanctions on Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi Azad, as well as Iman Afshari, a presiding judge.
"They were all involved in the violent repression of peaceful protests and the arbitrary arrest of political activists and human rights defenders," the Council said in a statement.
Regime change, all-out war or a nuclear deal: What could happen if Trump strikes Iran?
15:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump has renewed his threat of military action against Iran, urging the Islamic Republic to make a ‘deal’ or face the consequences with a “massive armada” already en route to the region.
The Independent looks at what is likely to happen next in Iran:
Regime change, all-out war or a nuclear deal: What will happen if Trump strikes Iran?
Russia ready to evacuate nuclear plant in Iran
14:30 , James ReynoldsRussia is ready to evacuate its staff from Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant if necessary, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation said today.
"We sincerely hope that the parties to the conflict will uphold their commitments regarding the inviolability of this territory (Bushehr),” Alexei Likhachev was quoted in TASS as saying.
"But, as they say, we are keeping our finger on the pulse and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, we will be ready to carry out evacuation measures if necessary."
Russia 'monitoring' situation, warns US against strikes
14:00 , James ReynoldsVladimir Putin on Thursday told his UAE counterpart Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that Russia was closely monitoring the situation in Iran and wanted to discuss it.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said meanwhile that any use of force against Tehran could create "chaos" in the region and lead to dangerous consequences.
Iran would try to avoid all out war - but risks miscalculation, says analyst
13:30 , James ReynoldsAndreas Krieg, associate Professor in security studies at King's College London, tells The Independent that Iran would likely want to avoid an “all-out” exchange if the US attacks.
The main risk would be miscalculation, he says.
“If the US attacks, Iran’s most likely retaliation is asymmetric and calibrated rather than an immediate all-out exchange,” he said.
“It can target US interests and partners through deniable channels, pressure shipping and energy routes, and use cyber operations.
“It will try to avoid an escalatory cycle that forces Israel into a sustained campaign, because that risks widening the conflict beyond Tehran’s control.”
“The central danger is miscalculation. Coercive signalling can quickly become a war neither side claims to want.”
In pictures: On board the flightdeck of the USS Abraham Lincoln
13:00 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump 'weighing strikes on Iranian leaders to inspire protesters'
12:30 , James ReynoldsSources close to the talks around Iran say that Donald Trump is weighing options that include targeted strikes on Iran’s security forces and leaders to inspire protesters to rise up and topple the government.
Two American sources familiar with discussions told Reuters that the president wants to create conditions for "regime change" after Iran shut down the anti-government protests earlier this month.
But Arab, Israeli and Western officials monitoring believed strikes would not be enough to shake the regime. Some said they could risk undermining the movement.
“If you're going to topple the regime, you have to put boots on the ground,” a senior Israeli official said, noting that even if the United States killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran would "have a new leader that will replace him."
US attack could 'trigger volcano', warns Hezbollah
12:00 , James ReynoldsA senior Hezbollah official suggested that a US strike on Iran “could trigger a volcano in the region” as Washington weighs options.
Nawaf al Moussawi, Head of the Borders and Resources file in Hezbollah, said on Wednesday evening: “What holds the United States back is its inability to predict the aftermath of the strike.”
Iran’s Mazandaran province is home to the 5,609m strato-volcano, the highest in Asia.
Moussawi suggested that Donald Trump was looking to cut a deal with Iran or displace the regime.
He stopped short of saying how Iran proxy Hezbollah might respond if Trump follows through with his threats of military action.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said.
Watch: Trump says he 'hopes they make a deal' as 'armada' sails to Iran
11:30 , James ReynoldsTrump 'hosts Saudi and Israeli officials' for talks on Iran
11:13 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump is hosting senior defence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia for talks on Iran this week, according to US officials.
Sources told Axios that the Saudis have been passing messages to the US in an effort to de-escalate the burgeoning crisis with Iran.
An Israeli delegation meanwhile was said to have visited DC to share information on potential targets.
There are still no serious talks between the US and Iran on de-escalation, Axios indicated.
Iran boosts drone stocks as US closes in
11:00 , James ReynoldsThe Iranian army has received a new batch of 1,000 drones, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday.
"In accordance with the threats ahead, the army maintains and enhances its strategic advantages for rapid combat and imposing a crushing response against any aggressor," the army's Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatami said.
Comment: Iran’s dead are piling up in the streets – so why has the West been silent?
10:30 , James ReynoldsA month after Tehran erupted in protests, the regime’s deadly crackdown continues to claim victims.
But, says Donald Macintyre, perhaps the world will finally take notice now that Donald Trump’s ‘massive armada’ has arrived in the Middle East:
Iran’s dead are piling up in the streets – so why has the West been silent?
Trump still undecided on striking Iran, official says
10:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump has still not made up his mind on whether to carry out a military strike against Iran, a US official told Reuters.
The official said Iran’s "weakened state" made it advantageous for the US to press for a deal on denuclearisation and other issues.
However, according to multiple US intelligence reports, while the economic conditions that sparked the protests remain, the upper ranks of the Iranian government appear to be intact, with no major fractures, two people familiar with the matter told the agency.
Comment: Iran’s dead are piling up in the streets – so why has the West been silent?
09:30 , Stuti MishraIt’s hard not to wonder about the fate of the lively, astute, good-humoured young female students I interviewed as they left the Tehran University campus for the day all those years ago.
This was another era, of course. Roughly midway between Iran’s 1979 revolution and now, it was also during the so-called “Khatami spring”, when the most reformist of all of Iran’s presidents, Mohammad Khatami, had won a decisive election victory on a liberalising agenda, which these students had unequivocally backed.
Read more:
Iran’s dead are piling up in the streets – so why has the West been silent?
Iran's response will be 'all out, unprecedented' says ayatollah's adviser
09:00 , James ReynoldsTehran has warned that any military action from the US will see Iran target the US, Israel and supporters.
Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wrote on X: “A ‘limited strike’ is an illusion.
“Any military action by #us—from any origin and at any level—will be considered the #start_of_war, and its response will be immediate, #all_out, and unprecedented, targeting heart of #TelAviv and all those supporting the aggressor. [sic]”
EU expected to list Iran's revolutionary guards as a terror group
08:30 , James ReynoldsThe EU is expected to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror organisation, the bloc’s foreign policy chief said.
"We are putting new sanctions on Iran and I also expect we will list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist list," said Kaja Kallas, ahead of a foreign affairs ministers council.
Tehran still in touch with mediators - but not looking to talk to US
08:10 , Stuti MishraIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran was in contact with international mediators over the crisis, but not currently in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
He said he was not currently requesting negotiations either, state media reported on Wednesday.
A source with the Turkish foreign ministry said that minister Hakan Fidan had spoken with his Iranian counterpart by phone to discuss efforts to ease regional tensions on Wednesday.
Iran’s mission to the UN said today that Iran stands ready for dialogue.
Man sentenced to 15 years over plot to kill Iranian American journalist
07:35 , Stuti MishraA man convicted of plotting to assassinate Iranian American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad on behalf of Iran has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the United States.
A federal judge in New York handed Carlisle Rivera the maximum sentence yesterday calling his written communications about the plot “chilling” and saying he caused “great harm” to Ms Alinejad and her husband.
Addressing the court, Ms Alinejad said the repeated assassination plots against her had forced her family to frequently move homes and limit contact with their children.
“I’m just a woman,” she said. “My weapon is my voice. My weapon is my social media.”
She urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence to send a message to anyone “targeting US citizens on US soil”. Later, in a post on X, she asked Donald Trump to "to give the Iranian people the same protection".
Before sentencing, Rivera apologised to the court, saying he was “deeply sorry” for his actions.
US authorities have previously said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was behind multiple plots against Ms Alinejad, including an earlier kidnapping attempt. Tehran has denied involvement.
EU set to designate Iran’s IRGC as terrorist group
07:05 , Stuti MishraThe European Union is set to add Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of terrorist organisations after France said yesterday it would support the move.
EU foreign ministers are due to meet in Brussels today and are expected to sign off on new sanctions in response to Iran’s crackdown on protests.
Trump has not made up his mind on military strike against Iran, US official says
06:35 , Stuti MishraDonald Trump has not made up his mind on whether to carry out a military strike against Iran, a US official told Reuters.
The official said Iran’s "weakened state" made it advantageous for the US to press for a deal on denuclearisation and other issues.
Earlier, US secretary of state Marco Rubio told a congressional committee that the Iranian government was probably weaker than it had ever been and that its economy was in collapse, predicting that street protests would erupt again.
However, according to multiple US intelligence reports, while the economic conditions that sparked the protests remain, the upper ranks of the Iranian government appear to be intact, with no major fractures, two people familiar with the matter told the agency.
Ted Cruz dragged online for saying the US should arm protesters in Iran
06:00 , Stuti MishraTexas Senator Ted Cruz has been mocked online after suggesting that the US should be arming protesters in Iran amid the ongoing ICE chaos in Minnesota that has seen two demonstrators shot dead by federal agents.
“We should be arming the protesters in Iran. NOW. For the Iranian people to overthrow the Ayatollah – a tyrant who routinely chants ‘death to America’ – would make America much, much safer,” Mr Cruz wrote on X Tuesday.
It comes after Donald Trump warned that a “massive Armada” was heading to Iran in response to the regime’s brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrators. The president has suggested that further US military action may be taken in the region if the country’s leadership does not “make a deal.”
Social media users were quick to point out the “real-time hypocrisy” of Mr Cruz’s comments, following the recent protests in Minneapolis, which resulted in the deaths of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was reportedly armed, and Renee Good.
Read full story:
Ted Cruz dragged online for saying the US should arm protesters – in Iran
Iran appears to ease internet blackout, report sasys
05:23 , Stuti MishraIranian authorities appear to have partially eased internet restrictions imposed earlier this month, though connectivity remains uneven and heavily controlled, according to reports.
Data from internet monitoring firms cited by The Guardian suggest that access has been restored only in patches, with traffic reaching around 60 per cent of pre-shutdown levels at its peak.
Previously inaccessible Telegram channels reportedly came back online yesterday, while other services remain unstable or unavailable. A separate report by Filterwatch, an organisation monitoring Iran’s internet traffic, found that access to services such as Google, Bing and ChatGPT has returned in some provinces, though many social media and messaging platforms are still blocked.
The blackout began on 8 January, following nearly two weeks of escalating anti-government protests, and has become a defining feature of the crackdown.
'Don’t take us to a hospital': Iran protesters treated in secret to avoid arrest
04:47 , Stuti MishraInjured protesters in Iran are being treated in private homes and makeshift clinics rather than hospitals, amid fears of arrest and surveillance by security forces, according to a report.
Protesters and medical workers said hospitals were being closely monitored, with security forces checking medical records to identify people wounded during demonstrations. Some injured protesters said they actively refused hospital treatment despite severe injuries, the BBC reported.
One protester, identified as Tara, said she and a friend were shot with birdshot during a protest in the central city of Isfahan and hid overnight in a stranger’s home before finding a doctor willing to treat them privately.
“Don’t take us to a hospital,” she said, describing fears of arrest.
Doctors and nurses said they were treating patients secretly at home, often without payment, and avoiding references to gunshot wounds in medical records.
China warns against ‘military adventurism’ targeting Iran
04:00 , Stuti MishraChina’s ambassador to the United Nations has warned against the use of force against Iran, saying military action would only deepen instability in the Middle East.
Speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council, Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, said: “The use of force cannot solve problems. Any acts of military adventurism will only push the region into an abyss of unpredictability.”
Mr Fu warned against external interference, as tensions in the region continue to rise amid Donald Trump's threat that "time is running out".
“China hopes that the United States and other relevant parties will heed the call of the international community and regional countries, do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East, and avoid exacerbating tensions and adding fuel to the fire,” he said.
Mr Fu stressed that Iran was an independent sovereign state and that its future should be determined by its own people, adding that China supported Iran’s “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
He also urged all parties to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and reject the use or threat of force in international relations.
“The Middle East belongs to the people in the region. It is not a wrestling ground for major power rivalry,” Mr Fu said.
China, he added, was ready to work with the international community to promote peace and stability across the region.
Rubio says build up in the Middle East 'defensive' against weakened regime
03:30 , James ReynoldsSecretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the buildup of US vessels in the Middle East reflects Washington’s “ability to posture assets in the Middle East to defend against what could be an Iranian threat”.
He spoke after saying that the regime appeared the weakest its ever been.
Comment: Iran’s dead are piling up in the streets – so why has the West been silent?
03:00 , James ReynoldsA month after Tehran erupted in protests, the regime’s deadly crackdown continues to claim victims.
But, says Donald Macintyre, perhaps the world will finally take notice now that Donald Trump’s ‘massive armada’ has arrived in the Middle East:
Iran’s dead are piling up in the streets – so why has the West been silent?
Iran's days are numbered, warns Germany's Merz
02:00 , James ReynoldsGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz joined in the American assessment that the Iranian regime’s “days are numbered” in comments on Wednesday as Trump ramped up his threats.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, he said: “A regime that can only hold onto power through sheer violence and terror against its own population: its days are numbered.”
“It could be a matter of weeks, but this regime has no legitimacy to govern the country.”
He backed Italy’s push to have the EU designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation.
What's happening in Iran?
01:00 , James ReynoldsIran has been gripped since late December by nationwide protests and demonstrations that were sparked by the Islamic Republic’s ailing economy.
They have been putting new pressure on the theocracy that runs Iran and which has, in turn, responded with a deadly crackdown and shutting down the internet.
Rights groups say the overall death toll from the crackdown rose to at least 5,032 people, with more than 27,600 detained in a widening arrest campaign. The official Iranian death toll is far lower — only 3,117 dead.
Iranian officials signalled last week that suspects detained in the protests would face fast trials and executions while also promising a “decisive response” if the US or Israel intervened.
In numbers: The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier
00:00 , James ReynoldsThe US navy calls it the “largest warship in the world”.
At 333m and with a displacement of 104,300 long tons, the USS Abraham Lincoln is a formidable vessel, currently heading for Iran.
An aircraft carrier, it is able to station 65 aircraft and multiple missile mounts, and can haul around 100,000 tones of equipment.
Its squadrons include the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet and the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.
The ship can travel at up to 35 knots and hosts a crew of around 5,600 people.
Watch: Rubio Says Iranian Regime 'Weaker Than Ever' And Predicts Future Protests
Wednesday 28 January 2026 23:15 , Harriette BoucherWhat has the US sent to the Middle East?
Wednesday 28 January 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday that “a massive Armada is heading to Iran”.
We learned on Monday that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had arrived in Centcom’s area of operations, bolstering Donald Trump’s range of actions.
Last Thursday, Trump said: “We have an armada ... heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”
The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is joined by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Frank E Petersen, Jr (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).
More than 6,000 deaths confirmed in Iran while 17,000 still under investigation
Wednesday 28 January 2026 22:55 , Harriette BoucherThe total number of confirmed deaths in the recent protests in Iran has reached 6,221, while 42,324 arrests have been made.
According to the latest data from US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 5,858 of those confirmed dead were protestors, 100 were children, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 49 were non-protester civilians.
The number of severely injured individuals stands at 11,017 and another 11,026 people have been summoned to security institutions.
The group has reported that 17,091 deaths are still under investigation.
EU poised to include IRGC on terror list after France U-turn
Wednesday 28 January 2026 22:39 , Harriette BoucherThe European Union could be set to include Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on its list of terrorist organisations.
It follows France’s U-turn on Wednesday, which saw its foreign minister come out in support of the move, despite the country previously being reluctant to do so.
EU foreign ministers were already due to meet in Brussels on Thursday, and with France, Italy and Germany’s support, the decision is likely to be approved politically.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said: "France will support the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the European Union's list of terrorist organisations.”
Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, said: “This week, Europe has a historic opportunity, and duty, to finally designate the Iranian regime's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
“This is more than symbolic. This matters.”
US to carry out military exercises in Middle East amid rising tensions
Wednesday 28 January 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsUS forces will carry out multi-day exercises in the Middle East, it was announced this week, ahead of Trump’s threat to Iran.
The Ninth Air Force will be carrying out drills to “demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility”, a statement read.
The statement did not say when the exercises would start.
“This exercise reinforces peace through strength by fielding a credible, combat-ready, and responsible presence designed to deter aggression, reduce the risk of miscalculation and assure partners.”
Horrific new claims expose Iran’s deadly protest crackdown
Wednesday 28 January 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsAs the number of citizens raising their voice against the regime continues to grow in the ongoing Iranian national revolution, numerous reports reaching Independent Persian from cities across Iran point to an unprecedented deterioration in the treatment and condition of detainees.
These accounts detail widespread torture, deaths in custody and the covert transfer of bodies to morgues – events that recall the darkest chapters of repression in the history of the Islamic republic since 1979.
In Isfahan, several political and human rights activists told Independent Persian that a number of detainees from the current uprising are being held in a warehouse near Dastgerd Prison that lacks basic facilities. The location reportedly lacks even basic sanitation and has no access to medical care.
Read the full harrowing report here:
Strangled, snatched from hospital and tortured: brutal new claims on Iran crackdown
Tehran still in touch with mediators - but not looking to talk to US
Wednesday 28 January 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran was in contact with international mediators over the crisis, but not currently in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
He said he was not currently requesting negotiations either, state media reported on Wednesday.
A source with the Turkish foreign ministry said that minister Hakan Fidan had spoken with his Iranian counterpart by phone to discuss efforts to ease regional tensions on Wednesday.
Iran’s mission to the UN said today that Iran stands ready for dialogue.
What is the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier headed to Iran?
Wednesday 28 January 2026 19:45 , Harriette BoucherThe USS Abraham Lincoln, deemed the “largest warship in the world”, is leading an “armada” currently headed towards Iran.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is 333 meters long and is capable of stationing 65 aircraft, as well as multiple missile mounts.
The ship can travel at up to 35 knots and move 100,000 tons of equipment, while hosting a crew of around 5,600 people.
It is one of 10 Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, which support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets, the US Navy said.
In a post on social media on Monday, the United States Central Command said: “The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability.”
Trump warns Iran time is running out and says ‘our next attack will be far worse’
Wednesday 28 January 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsSources told Axios on Tuesday that Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether to strike Iran.
He is expected to decide after holding more consultations this week, and being presented with more military options.
Alex Croft has the full story:
Trump warns Iran time is running out and says ‘our next attack will be far worse’
Any US military action 'will be considered the beginning of a war'
Wednesday 28 January 2026 18:23 , Harriette BoucherAli Shamkhani, an adviser to the Iranian supreme leader, said that any military action by the US will be considered the “beginning of a war”.
In a post on X, he said: “The limited strike is an illusion. Any military action by America, from any source and at any level, will be considered the beginning of a war, and the response will be immediate, comprehensive, and unprecedented, directed at the aggressor, at the heart of Tel Aviv, and at all its supporters.”
Tehran has 'finger on the trigger' and is ready to respond
Wednesday 28 January 2026 18:17 , Harriette BoucherIran’s foreign minister said Tehran has its “fingers on the trigger” and is prepared to “immediately and powerfully” respond to any aggression.
Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media to say that Iran had learnt valuable lessons from the 12-Day War in June last year, which have enabled their forces to respond more strongly and quickly.
“At the same time, Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable NUCLEAR DEAL—on equal footing, and free from coercion, threats, and intimidation—which ensures Iran's rights to PEACEFUL nuclear technology, and guarantees NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Such weapons have no place in our security calculations and we have NEVER sought to acquire them.”
Iran vows to defend itself and respond ‘like never before’ if attacked.
Wednesday 28 January 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsIran responded to Trump’s threat on Wednesday saying that it was open to discussions but would defend itself if provoked.
"Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!" its mission to the UN said in a post on X.
FTSE 100 falls and oil price rises after Trump’s warning to Iran
Wednesday 28 January 2026 17:48 , Harriette BoucherThe FTSE 100 fell on Wednesday and the oil price climbed amid fresh geopolitical uncertainty while the S&P 500 briefly topped 7,000 for the first time ahead of tech earnings and the US interest rate call.
The FTSE 100 index closed down 53.37 points, 0.5%, at 10,154.43. The FTSE 250 ended 13.39 points lower, 0.1%, at 23,390.63 but the AIM all-share ended up 7.27 points, 0.9%, at 832.09.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran that time was running out for the Islamic republic to prevent American military intervention as Tehran rejected holding negotiations against a backdrop of threats.
FTSE 100 falls and oil price rises after Trump’s warning to Iran
'The enemy will surely suffer', Iran's army chief of staff warns
Wednesday 28 January 2026 17:33 , Harriette BoucherIran’s army chief of staff has said Iran is prepared to deal with any threat, and warns that “the enemy will surely suffer” if anything happens.
According to local media, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said: "The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is always ready to deal with any threat and if something happens, the enemy will surely suffer a lot."
Earlier today, Iran’s mission the UN said that the country was ready for dialogue.
"Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!"
In pictures: The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which is leading the fleet headed to Iran
Wednesday 28 January 2026 17:22 , Harriette Boucher
Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel
Wednesday 28 January 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsIran today executed a man accused of spying for Israel as tensions flared up with the US.
Mizan, the Iranian judiciary’s media outlet, reported that the suspect was identified as Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour.
They said he was arrested in April last year and hanged on Wednesday “for the crime of espionage and intelligence cooperation in favour of a hostile intelligence service (Mossad)”.
Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel have significantly increased since last year following the direct confrontation in June, when Israeli and US forces struck Iran's nuclear facilities.
Iran's days are numbered, warns Germany's Merz
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:38 , James ReynoldsGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz joined in the American assessment that the Iranian regime’s “days are numbered” in comments on Wednesday as Trump ramped up his threats.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, he said: “A regime that can only hold onto power through sheer violence and terror against its own population: its days are numbered.”
“It could be a matter of weeks, but this regime has no legitimacy to govern the country.”
He backed Italy’s push to have the EU designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation.
Rubio: Iran's government is probably the weakest it has ever been
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:33 , James ReynoldsSecretary of state Marco Rubio said that Iran’s regime is probably the weakest it has ever been as the US moves warships into the region.
“That regime is probably weaker than it has ever been and the core problem they face ... is that they don't have a way to address the core complaints of the protesters, which is that their economy is in collapse,” he told the senate foreign relations committee.
US to carry out military exercises in Middle East amid rising tensions
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:30 , James ReynoldsUS forces will carry out multi-day exercises in the Middle East, it was announced this week, ahead of Trump’s threat to Iran.
The Ninth Air Force will be carrying out drills to “demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility”, a statement read.
The statement did not say when the exercises would start.
“This exercise reinforces peace through strength by fielding a credible, combat-ready, and responsible presence designed to deter aggression, reduce the risk of miscalculation and assure partners.”
In numbers: The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:16 , James ReynoldsThe US navy calls it the “largest warship in the world”.
At 333m and with a displacement of 104,300 long tons, the USS Abraham Lincoln is a formidable vessel, currently heading for Iran.
An aircraft carrier, it is able to station 65 aircraft and multiple missile mounts, and can haul around 100,000 tones of equipment.
Its squadrons include the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet and the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.
The ship can travel at up to 35 knots and hosts a crew of around 5,600 people.
Horrific new claims expose Iran’s deadly protest crackdown
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:10 , James ReynoldsAs the number of citizens raising their voice against the regime continues to grow in the ongoing Iranian national revolution, numerous reports reaching Independent Persian from cities across Iran point to an unprecedented deterioration in the treatment and condition of detainees.
These accounts detail widespread torture, deaths in custody and the covert transfer of bodies to morgues – events that recall the darkest chapters of repression in the history of the Islamic republic since 1979.
In Isfahan, several political and human rights activists told Independent Persian that a number of detainees from the current uprising are being held in a warehouse near Dastgerd Prison that lacks basic facilities. The location reportedly lacks even basic sanitation and has no access to medical care.
Read the full harrowing report here:
Strangled, snatched from hospital and tortured: brutal new claims on Iran crackdown
Iran protests will spark up again in the future, says Rubio
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:08 , James ReynoldsUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that while the recent protests in Iran may have ebbed for now, they will spark up again in the future.
Asked about the state department’s estimate on how many people were killed, he puts the figure in the thousands.
What has the US sent to the Middle East?
Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:04 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Wednesday that “a massive Armada is heading to Iran”.
We learned on Monday that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had arrived in Centcom’s area of operations, bolstering Donald Trump’s range of actions.
Last Thursday, Trump said: “We have an armada ... heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”
The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is joined by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Frank E Petersen, Jr (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).
Tehran still in touch with mediators - but not looking to talk to US
Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:48 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran was in contact with international mediators over the crisis, but not currently in contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
He said he was not currently requesting negotiations either, state media reported on Wednesday.
A source with the Turkish foreign ministry said that minister Hakan Fidan had spoken with his Iranian counterpart by phone to discuss efforts to ease regional tensions on Wednesday.
Iran’s mission to the UN said today that Iran stands ready for dialogue.
