Dec 28, 2025 – Nationwide protests erupt after Iran’s rial collapses, spreading from Tehran’s bazaars to rural towns and drawing thousands onto the streets; the unrest quickly expands beyond economic grievances to broader anti‑regime sentiment [14].

Jan 2, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social that the United States is “locked and loaded” to rescue Iranian protesters if they are shot, while the White House frames the message as a warning and confirms no change in U.S. troop levels in the region [9].

Jan 3, 2026 – Prominent conservatives, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie, publicly criticize Trump’s Iran threat as contrary to 2024 GOP votes, while exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi thanks Trump for supporting the demonstrators [18].

Jan 7, 2026 – Iran’s chief justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei declares “no leniency” for anyone aiding the “enemy” amid a nationwide protest wave, citing Trump’s recent “locked and loaded” remarks as evidence of foreign interference [17].

Jan 8, 2026 – Tehran tells Washington that U.S. statements and actions amount to a campaign of interference, warns of “pre‑emptive” military steps, and reports at least 38 deaths and over 2,200 detentions as protests intensify [16].

Jan 12, 2026 – The U.S. State Department issues a Level 4 travel advisory, urging all Americans in Iran to evacuate immediately as the third week of protests sees hundreds killed, thousands detained, and a near‑total telecom blackout [15].

Jan 12, 2026 – Trump tells reporters that Iran wants to negotiate, while Oman’s foreign minister travels to Tehran as a mediator, signaling a diplomatic channel remains open despite the crackdown [22].

Jan 12, 2026 – Trump signals “very strong” military options, saying the U.S. is briefed on possible strikes, cyber tools and tighter sanctions as drones hover over crowds and internet outages prompt talk of Starlink assistance [2].

Jan 13, 2026 – Trump hints at renewed intervention, posts “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” cancels meetings with Iranian leaders, and schedules senior officials to brief him on Tuesday about possible courses of action [7][1].

Jan 13, 2026 – Vice President JD Vance joins senior aides urging diplomacy first, while Pentagon officials discuss cyber and covert psychological campaigns as part of the U.S. response toolbox [1].

Jan 14, 2026 – Trump meets with top aides after returning from Michigan, weighs a kinetic strike on Iran’s security‑service facilities, and receives a divided assessment from the national‑security team; Starlink begins offering free internet to Iranians [6].

Jan 14, 2026 – Intelligence warns that Tehran could target U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria if struck, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman conduct behind‑the‑scenes diplomacy to deter U.S. military action [6].

Jan 14, 2026 – Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement warns Trump that any U.S. or “Zionist” aggression against Iran will bring dire consequences, underscoring the broader “Axis of Resistance” backlash risk [13].

Jan 16, 2026 – Protests fall silent as security forces maintain a heavy presence; Trump says sources indicate killings have stopped, Gulf states (Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt) urge restraint, and a U.S. carrier strike group moves westward toward the Middle East as a deterrent [4][20].

Jan 16, 2026 – Arab allies privately press the White House to delay any Iran strike, oil prices dip, and U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz tells the Security Council that military action remains on the table while Trump posts about prisoner Erfan Soltani, appearing to pause imminent operations [20].

Jan 17, 2026 – Trump tells Politico that Iran needs new leadership, labeling Supreme Leader Khamenei a “sick man,” while Khamenei retaliates by calling Trump a criminal in a national broadcast [12].

Jan 19, 2026 – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warns of full‑scale war if the Supreme Leader is attacked; Khamenei says the regime will punish “criminals,” and Trump reiterates calls for regime change and hints at possible strikes if protesters continue to die [11].

Jan 20, 2026 – Iran’s armed forces chief Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi warns Trump that any aggression toward Khamenei will be met with fire, while the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group sails west through the Indian Ocean, positioning itself near the Middle East [10].

Jan 21, 2026 – Iran again warns Trump against aggression toward the Supreme Leader, reiterating a strong retaliation promise; the carrier group continues its westward trajectory, and Iran’s police chief offers leniency to protesters who surrender within three days [19].

Jan 23, 2026 – Iran’s Supreme Leader orders a deadly crackdown that leaves thousands dead, according to CNN, intensifying international condemnation and reshaping U.S. strategic calculations [3].

Jan 29, 2026 – Trump positions a “Massive Armada” of U.S. forces in the region, declares “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS” as the core demand, outlines three risky military paths (oil embargo, limited punitive strikes, regime‑decapitation), while the EU designates the IRGC as a terrorist organization and Iran’s rial hits a historic low despite continued oil exports [3].

2026 (future) – Analysts note that UN snapback sanctions and a possible diplomatic deal remain on the table as the United States prepares to leverage economic pressure alongside military options in the evolving Iran crisis [14].