Dec 28, 2025 – Nationwide protests erupt across Iran, spreading to roughly 180 cities and towns and becoming the largest anti‑government demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, setting the stage for the 2026 crisis. [7]

Jan 13, 2026 – President Trump tells CBS News the United States will take “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters, warning “you’ll see some things” and referencing the rapid death sentence of 26‑year‑old Erfan Soltani, slated for execution within days. [4]

Jan 14, 2026 (early) – Trump reiterates the “very strong action” pledge, citing Soltani’s fast‑tracked death sentence and a HRANA‑reported death toll of 2,403 protesters, while the UN human‑rights chief urges Tehran to halt violence and restore internet access. [3]

Jan 14, 2026 (later) – Trump claims “good authority” that killings in Iran are stopping and that there is no plan for executions, citing “very important sources on the other side”; Iran’s judiciary chief announces fast trials and swift punishments, the death toll rises to 2,586, and U.S. personnel are advised to evacuate Al‑Udeid Air Base. [14]

Jan 15, 2026 (early) – Trump repeats that the killing in Iran is stopping and that no executions are planned, while the United States and United Kingdom begin a partial withdrawal from Al‑Udeid and Iran briefly shuts its airspace, disrupting commercial flights. [2][6]

Jan 15, 2026 (midday) – At the U.S. request, the UN Security Council schedules an emergency meeting as the Human Rights Activists News Agency tallies 2,615 deaths; the G7 warns of further sanctions, and China and Turkey call for restraint. [11]

Jan 15, 2026 (afternoon) – Trump signals possible intervention, noting the relocation of American, Qatari and British staff from Al‑Udeid, a pause on action pending verification, and Democratic lawmakers warning that a strike could silence protests. [1]

Jan 15, 2026 (evening) – Senior aides emerge from a Situation Room briefing suggesting a decision on a limited strike may be near; Trump is briefed on the planned execution of Soltani (originally set for Jan 14) and says “the killing had stopped,” while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu urges restraint and Gulf allies push for de‑escalation. [5]

Jan 16, 2026 – Trump publicly thanks Iran for canceling over 800 hangings, saying he “greatly respects” the decision; activists report the death toll climbing to 2,797, and ex‑Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urges Iranians to protest again and calls on the U.S. to honor its pledge. [7][10]

Jan 17, 2026 – Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami delivers a Friday sermon calling for the execution of detained protesters and labeling them “Trump’s soldiers,” while Trump again thanks Iran for sparing hundreds, noting executions remain a red line for U.S. action; the internet blackout persists and the crackdown is estimated to have killed several thousand. [9]

Jan 23, 2026 – Iran’s top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi rejects Trump’s claim that 800 prisoners were spared, stating no such decision exists; activists claim the death toll exceeds 5,032, and the United States moves the Lincoln strike group into the Indian Ocean while Britain deploys Eurofighter jets to the Gulf. [8]

Late Jan 2026 (planned) – The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to convene in Geneva to address contradictory statements from Iranian authorities and the ongoing execution pace, as urged by UN rights chief Volker Türk. [8]