Iran has warned it would defend itself and “respond like never before” if pushed after Donald Trump threatened a military attack with a “massive armada” moving toward the region.
Writing on social media, the US president said “time is running out” for Iran to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programme. A large fleet, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, was on its way to the country, he said.
In response to the post, Iran’s mission to the UN said: "Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!"
Mr Trump’s latest threat toward Tehran comes after he had promised intervention over the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in the country this month. However, his latest comments appear to only focus on the country’s nuclear programme.
The US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last year.
In his post on social media on Wednesday, Mr Trump said: “Hopefully Iran will quickly “Come to the Table” and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties.”
He added: “The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”
Key Points
- Iran vows to defend itself and respond ‘like never before’ if attacked.
- Trump's post in full: President issues Iran with chilling threat
- 'The enemy will surely suffer', Iran's army chief of staff warns
- Rubio: Iran's government is probably the weakest it has ever been
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.
Iran vows to defend itself and respond ‘like never before’ if attacked.
Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:42 , 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.
Trump warns Iran time is running out and says ‘our next attack will be far worse’
Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:40 , 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’
What does Trump want from Iran - and what happens next?
Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:35 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said in his post on Truth Social that he wanted Iran to “come to the table” and negotiate a “fair and equitable deal”, which he stressed meant “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS”.
Last May, Trump said Iran had “sort of” agreed to the terms of a new nuclear deal with the United States. It was to replace the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, that Trump abandoned in his first term.
That deal would see Tehran make concessions on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The US insists that Iran must give up its uranium enrichment to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.
Iran says it is not trying to build a bomb.
But within a month, the US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities and its ballistic missile programme. The Trump administration claimed to have destroyed Iran’s nuclear programme through military action, though its intelligence said otherwise.
In December, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Donald Trump that Iran was reconstituting its enrichment sites. Axios reported that they discussed the possibility of ‘round 2’ strikes, citing a US official and two sources familiar with the details of the meeting.
Trump's post in full: President issues Iran with chilling threat
Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:21 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday:
“A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela.
“Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary. Hopefully Iran will quickly “Come to the Table” and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties.
“Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Welcome to our coverage of the US mobilisation around Iran
Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:12 , James ReynoldsIf you are just joining us, US president Donald Trump renewed his threats against Iran on Wednesday as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier sailed towards the Middle East.
Trump said that Iran should agree to a “deal”, which he said would mean “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS”, or face an attack harsher than the one seen against Tehran’s nuclear programme last year.
Iran insisted it was open to dialogue but ready to defend itself.
