Top Headlines

Feeds

Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns U.S. Strike, Opens Nuclear Talks Amid Deadly Protest Crackdown

Updated (57 articles)

Khamenei Issues Direct Warning to United States On February 4, 2026 the 86‑year‑old Supreme Leader told President Donald Trump that any American attack on Iran would ignite a broader regional war, while simultaneously permitting Tehran to re‑enter nuclear negotiations that had previously been rejected [1].

Economic Collapse Triggered Nationwide Protests plunge of the rial to a record low of 1.42 million per U.S. dollar sparked mass demonstrations in late December, prompting security forces to kill thousands, arrest tens of thousands, and impose an internet blackout that lasted several weeks [1].

Hardline Orders Forceful Suppression of Rioters Khamenei’s declaration that “rioters must be put in their place” gave security forces carte blanche to use lethal force; activists have documented more than 6,700 deaths, whereas official figures cite 3,117 [1].

Revolutionary Guard Remains Core Power Base The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, expanded under Khamenei, now controls elite troops, Iran’s ballistic‑missile program and a vast business empire, acting as the leader’s primary loyal shock force [1].

Nuclear Negotiations Continue Under U.S. Preconditions Regional mediators—including Turkey, Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE—are arranging talks, but Iran rejects the U.S. demand to halt enrichment and surrender uranium, while Trump’s vague strike threats aim to pressure Tehran [1].

Succession Process Raises Risk of Internal Conflict council of Shiite clerics will select Khamenei’s successor; the Guard’s entrenched power raises the possibility of a violent struggle for control of Iran’s oil‑rich state if a transition occurs [1].

Sources

Timeline

1979 – Islamic Revolution establishes the theocratic regime that later faces its biggest domestic challenge – The overthrow of the Shah creates a political system dominated by the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard, setting the institutional framework that confronts the 2025‑2026 protests [5].

2022 – Mahsa Amini death sparks nationwide protests, the largest dissent movement before 2025 – The killing of a 22‑year‑old woman in custody ignites mass demonstrations across Iran, establishing a recent benchmark for popular unrest that the 2025 protests later exceed [22].

Dec 28 2025 – Protests erupt in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over a plunging rial and soaring inflation – Demonstrators quickly spread to dozens of cities, chanting “Death to the dictator” and demanding economic relief, marking the start of the deadliest unrest in years [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].

Jan 2 2026 – Human‑rights group Hengaw records 133 arrests, while Supreme Leader Khamenei vows Iran will not yield to enemies – The arrests illustrate the regime’s rapid crackdown, and Khamenei’s statement signals a hard‑line stance as protests widen [24].

Jan 3 2026 – Khamenei publicly declares Iran will not yield and labels protesters “rioters” while President Trump threatens “locked and loaded” intervention – The Supreme Leader’s vow reinforces the regime’s resolve; Trump’s post on Truth Social warns of U.S. action if the crackdown continues, and the first protest‑related fatality occurs in Kuhdasht [24][25][30].

Jan 4 2026 – Khamenei repeats that rioters must be “put in their place” and cites a death toll of at least 15 – He blames foreign powers for the unrest and the regime announces it has stopped uranium enrichment, a diplomatic signal amid the crisis [22][30].

Jan 5 2026 – Protests spread to 26 provinces with at least 19 demonstrators killed; Trump threatens “hard‑hit” retaliation – Parliament speaker Baqer Qalibaf urges the government to heed grievances while warning against foreign interference, and Iran’s foreign ministry accuses the U.S. and Israel of incitement [21].

Jan 6 2026 – HRANA tallies 36 deaths in the first ten days and reports over 2,000 arrests across 27 provinces – Video from Tehran’s Bazaar shows crowds fleeing tear‑gas; Amnesty International alleges security forces used shotguns inside a hospital, and President Trump reiterates that the U.S. is “locked and loaded” [20].

Jan 8 2026 – State TV blames U.S. and Israeli “terrorist agents” for fires as the internet blackout deepens – Western leaders, including Senator Lindsey Graham, warn Iran while rights groups count at least 39 deaths and 2,260 detainees, underscoring the nationwide scale of the crackdown [18].

Jan 9 2026 – Supreme Leader Khamenei brands protesters “vandals” seeking Trump’s support and sends a letter to the UN accusing the U.S. of subversion – HRANA reports 48 protesters killed and 2,277 arrests; world leaders issue a joint condemnation of the violence [17].

Jan 10 2026 – Security forces kill at least 65 people as the internet shutdown persists; judiciary chief vows decisive punishment – Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for coordinated 8 p.m. protests, European leaders condemn the crackdown, and airlines begin suspending flights to Iran [16][28][29].

Jan 11 2026 – Activists raise the death toll to 544 and report 10,600 detainees – Iran’s parliament speaker threatens U.S. bases, President Trump vows an unprecedented strike if Tehran retaliates, and the Pope calls for dialogue [27].

Jan 12 2026 – Death toll remains at 544 while the internet blackout continues; Trump weighs non‑military military options – The U.S. imposes new sanctions, a Los Angeles truck incident targets a protest, and Iran declares three days of mourning for “martyrs” [14][13][5].

Jan 13 2026 – HRANA confirms 2,403 protesters killed; Trump urges continued demonstrations and warns of “very strong action” if executions proceed – The UN envoy accuses the U.S. of violating international law, European Parliament bans Iranian diplomatic staff, and the U.N. confirms its personnel are safe in Iran [11][12][15].

Jan 14 2026 – HRANA updates its count to 2,571 total deaths (2,403 protesters) and notes 24,669 arrests – Iranian officials claim about 2,000 deaths, prosecutors warn protesters face the death‑penalty “mohareb” charge, and President Pezeshkian blames U.S. sanctions for the hardship [10][7].

Jan 15 2026 – U.S. ambassador Mike Waltz tells the UN Security Council that “all options are on the table” to stop the killings – Activists raise the toll to 2,677, dissidents Masih Alinejad and Ahmad Batebi appeal for accountability, Russia defends Iran, and the U.S. announces fresh sanctions [9].

Jan 17 2026 – Supreme Leader Khamenei publicly acknowledges “thousands” killed and blames the United States – In the same broadcast he brands President Trump a “criminal,” while the regime eases the internet shutdown enough for limited texting [2][8].

Jan 18 2026 – HRANA revises the protest death toll to 3,919 and confirms 24,669 arrests – Khamenei reiterates that the deaths number in the thousands and accuses the U.S., President Pezeshkian links hardship to sanctions, and Trump issues mixed messages, both threatening action and praising a reported cancellation of mass hangings [7][26].

Jan 23 2026 – Iran imposes a nationwide internet shutdown at 8 p.m., coinciding with a weekend of intensified lethal force – HRANA estimates more than 5,000 dead, the regime accuses protesters of ISIS‑like atrocities, and mass funerals overwhelm Tehran’s Behesht‑e Zahra cemetery [6].

Jan 27 2026 – Human‑rights groups verify 6,159 killings (including 5,804 protesters) as the deadliest phase of the unrest – Security forces fire live rounds on 8‑9 January, families are forced to pay ≈ 1 billion tomans for bodies or accept martyr reclassification, and a near‑total communications blackout limits independent reporting [1].

Social media (20 posts)

Dive deeper (46 sub-stories)

All related articles (57 articles)

External resources (45 links)