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Last Updated:January 15, 2026, 00:53 IST
Iran Protests Highlights: Iranian authorities have labelled the protests as “riots” and accused participants of “acts of terror”.
Vehicles pass by a large patriotic banner depicting the Iranian flag on Enghelab Square in Tehran on January 14. (AFP photo)
Iran Protests Highlights: As protests in Iran enter their third week, the situation has become one of the deadliest crackdowns in recent history. The demonstrations, which began over economic grievances, have now turned into a major challenge to the clerical leadership under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian authorities have labelled the protests as “riots” and accused participants of “acts of terror”. Human rights groups report that over 2,400 protesters and nearly 150 government-affiliated individuals have died.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened intervention, warning of “very strong action” if Tehran carries out executions of protesters. He has urged Iranians to continue protesting, saying that “help is on its way,” while also imposing 25% import tariffs on countries trading with Iran. The US State Department has advised its citizens to leave Iran immediately, and reports have also surfaced that some personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar have been told to evacuate.
Additionally, Iran has accused the US and Israel of fuelling the unrest, calling the protesters terrorists and blaming foreign powers for the violence.
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Iran Protests Live Updates: US Military Action Against Iran Likely Within 24 Hours, European Officials Say
European officials told Reuters on Wednesday that a military intervention against Iran appears likely and could occur within the next 24 hours, as tensions escalate over Tehran’s violent crackdown on widespread protests.
Iran Protests Live Updates: 'Ready To Respond Decisively': IRGC Chief Warns Israel And US
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday said that it is prepared to respond “decisively” to its foes Israel and the United States. The Guards are at “the height of readiness to respond decisively to the miscalculation of the enemy,” the commander of the IRGC warned.
Iran Protests Live Updates: US Issues Another Alert Urging Citizens To Leave Iran 'Now'
The United States on Wednesday issued another alert advising its citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible, the virtual US embassy in Tehran said on Wednesday. In a statement, it urged Americans to consider leaving Iran by land through Turkey or Armenia if it is safe to do so, adding that US-Iranian dual nationals must exit using their Iranian passports. This is the third such alert issued by Washington in the past five days.
Iran Protests Live Updates: US Urges Forces In Saudi Arabia To Exercise 'Increased Caution'
The US embassy in Saudi Arabia told its staff on Wednesday to act with caution and avoid military sites, citing rising regional tensions linked to Iran. In a statement, the embassy said, “Given ongoing regional tensions, the US mission to Saudi Arabia has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region. We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom do the same.”
Iran Protests Live Updates: Israel Calls On EU To Designate Iran’s IRGC As Terror Group
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Wednesday said that he had urged France to support the designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation by the European Union.
In a post on X, Saar wrote, “For decades, the IRGC has acted to spread terror and destabilization in the Middle East and beyond. Now, they are leading the murderous repression of the Iranian people, who are fighting for their freedom.”
In a conversation with French FM @jnbarrot, I called on France to support the designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization by the EU.
For decades, the IRGC has acted to spread terror and destabilization in the Middle East and beyond. Now, they are… pic.twitter.com/KuaD5DT1Vq
— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) January 14, 2026
Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran Accuses Israel Of Fueling Violence, Tells Trump To Act
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday said that Israel was seeking to draw the United States into conflict and was openly encouraging violence in Iran.
In a post on X, he accused Israel of boasting about arming protesters with “live weapons” and blamed this for the deaths of hundreds of people. Araghchi said US President Donald Trump “should now know exactly where to go to stop killings.”
Iran Protests Live Updates: US Pauses Visa Processing For Applicants From 75 Countries, Including Iran
The US State Department on Wednesday said it is pausing all visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Iran, as it reviews its screening and vetting rules, Fox News reported on Wednesday. The pause, due to begin on January 21 and continue indefinitely, is aimed at identifying applicants who may be considered likely to become a public charge.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Jaishankar Gets Call From Iran Minister, Discusses 'Evolving Situation' Amid West Asia Tensions
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday said he received a phone call from Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, with the two discussing the evolving situation in and around Iran. READ MORE
Iran Protests Live Updates: Qatar Says Some Personnel Leaving US Base Amid Regional Tensions
A number of personnel have been told to depart the United States’ Al Udeid military base in Qatar “in response to the current regional tensions,” the Gulf state’s Media Office said in a statement on Wednesday.
Iran Protests Live Updates: US Confirms Withdrawal Of Forces From Middle East Bases Amid Tensions
The United States is pulling some personnel from key bases in the Middle East as a precaution, following rising tensions in the region, a US official told Reuters on Wednesday. The move comes after a senior Iranian official warned neighbouring countries hosting American forces that Tehran could target US bases if Washington carries out any attacks.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Fresh Buzz As Netanyahu’s Plane Lands In Greece. Last Time It Happened, US And Israel Struck Iran
Buzz is building around the movement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official aircraft after aviation watchers and open-source intelligence accounts reported that the plane flew out of Israel and briefly landed in Greece. READ MORE
Iran Protests Live Updates: Russia Says It Will Continue Relations With Iran Despite US Threats
Russia has vowed to maintain its relationship with Iran even as the United States threatens military action and economic sanctions in response to the unrest in Tehran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference in Moscow. Lavrov criticised Washington’s stance, calling US threats and tariffs damaging to the international order and saying they harm global stability and credibility.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Dozens Of Iranians Flee To Turkey Amid Widespread Protests
Dozens of Iranians crossed into Turkey on Wednesday as authorities in Iran intensified their crackdown on one of the largest waves of protests against the country’s clerical leadership. Families and individuals arrived at the Kapikoy border gate in Turkey’s eastern Van province, carrying luggage and personal belongings before boarding vehicles to nearby towns.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Why US May Hold Back From Striking Iran Despite Trump’s Threats
US President Donald Trump’s warnings of possible military action against Iran have sharpened as the country’s clerical leadership faces its biggest wave of protests in years. Yet behind the tough rhetoric, there are growing signs that Washington may be reluctant to translate threats into direct military strikes. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Iran Protests Live Updates: Top 3 Developments As Tensions Remain High Amid Unrest
Iran Protests Live Updates: Thousands Attend Mass Funeral In Tehran For Slain Security Officers
A funeral ceremony was held in Tehran on Wednesday for more than 100 members of the security forces and other “martyrs” killed during the wave of protests sweeping the Islamic Republic. Thousands of mourners attended, waving Iranian flags, as prayers for the dead were read outside Tehran University.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran Says Missile Stockpile Grows As Revolutionary Guards Stress Battle Readiness
Iran’s missile stockpile has increased since last year’s 12-day war with Israel, the Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Commander Majid Mousavi said on Wednesday, according to state media. Mousavi added that Iran is at the “peak of its readiness,” with wartime damage repaired and production in the guards’ aerospace forces now higher than before June 2025.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran-US Suspend Diplomatic Contact As Tensions Rise
Direct communications between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Special Envoy Steve Wittkopf have been suspended, a senior official told Reuters on Wednesday. This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s threats of intervention as Iran cracks down on protests.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Some US Personnel Advised To Leave Qatar Air Base Amid Tensions
Three diplomats told Reuters that some US personnel had been advised to leave Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the main American air base in the region, by Wednesday evening. However, they said there were no signs of a large-scale evacuation like the one carried out last year before an Iranian missile attack on the base.
Iran Protests News Today Live: Iran Threatens To Target US Bases In Neighbouring Countries If Washington Intervenes
Iran on Wednesday warned neighbouring countries that host US troops that American bases in the region could be targeted if Washington intervenes in protests inside Iran, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
The warning comes as US President Donald Trump has openly threatened to support protesters in Iran, where unrest has spread across the country and security forces have launched a harsh crackdown.
Iran Protests News Today Live: US Warns Americans To Leave Iran As Unrest Escalates
Iran Protests News Today Live: China Opposes Interference In Iran, Says Beijing After Trump Warning To Tehran
China has said it supports Iran in maintaining stability and opposes any foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also criticised US tariffs, saying tariff wars have no winners. He said China would firmly protect its legitimate interests and reject the use or threat of force in international relations.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Russia Calls US Threats To Strike Iran ‘Unacceptable’
Iran Protests News Today Live: Former Iranian Prince Urges Military To Side With Protesters
Exiled former Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iran’s military to side with protesters and protect civilians. In a post on X, he said global attention was turning into action and encouraged demonstrators to continue resisting. He warned against allowing authorities to project an illusion of normalcy.
Pahlavi is the son of Iran’s last shah and was named crown prince as a child.
Iran Protests Live Updates: ‘You’re Going To Find Out Soon’, Trump Hints At Next Steps After ‘Help Is On Its Way’ Post On Iran
US President Donald Trump heightened uncertainty around Washington’s next steps on Iran after saying “help is on its way” for Iranian protesters, before urging Americans to leave the country amid widening unrest.
Trump was asked to clarify what he meant by his earlier statement promising “help” to protesters in Iran. “You’re going to find out soon,” he replied, before adding, “It’s a good idea for Americans to leave Iran.”
Iran Protests News Today Live: Iran May Hang 26-Year-Old Protester Today
Iran is reportedly set to execute its first protester following mass arrests in connection with the widespread anti-regime demonstrations. The 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested on January 8 for participating in the nationwide protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Karaj near Tehran, is scheduled to be hanged to death on Wednesday without getting a proper trial, according to human rights groups.
Iran Protests Live Updates: What’s Going On In Iran - What We Know So Far
Iran Protests News Today Live: Trump Broke Law By Encouraging Iranians To ‘Keep Protesting,’ Says Iran’s UN Envoy
Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran Likely To Execute 26-Year-Old In First Hanging Linked To Anti-Khamenei Protests Today
Iranian authorities are preparing to execute a 26-year-old man in what would be the first reported hanging linked to the nationwide anti-Khamenei protests. The execution is reportedly planned for Wednesday, January 14.
Erfan Soltani was arrested on January 8 in the city of Karaj for taking part in demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian Kurdish rights group Hengaw said Soltani’s execution is scheduled for Wednesday and that officials have told his family the sentence is final. Protests have spread across Iran since early January.
US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will take “very strong action” if Iran begins executing protesters.
Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran Still Under Internet Blackout
Amid violent protests, Iran’s internet blackout has now lasted for 130 hours.
Iran Protests Live Updates: ‘Trump, Netanyahu Are Killers’, Iran’s Ali Larijani Responds To US Threats
After Donald Trump warned Iran against violence and executions, senior Iranian official Ali Larijani hit back, accusing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of killing the Iranian people.
Iran Protests Live Updates: US Says It Will Not Tolerate Violence Against Protesters in Iran
Live Update: Exiled Prince Urges Iranians To Continue Their Protests After Trump's 'Help On Its Way' Post
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah and a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition, in his latest message to Iranians, urged them to continue their fight against the current regime and acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s “help on its way” post.
My compatriots,
The world has not just seen and heard your voice and courage, it is now responding.
By now, you have probably heard the message from the President of the United States. Help is on the way.
Continue the fight, as you have done so far.
Do not allow this regime… https://t.co/KfotmDo0br
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 13, 2026
Read More: ‘Continue The Fight’: Reza Pahlavi’s Message To Iranians Amid Trump’s ‘Help On Its Way’ Post
Live Updates: Qatari PM Receives Call From Iran, Says Doha Backs Efforts To 'De-Escalate'
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani expressed Doha’s support on Tuesday for “all efforts aiming to de-escalate and peaceful solutions” in the Middle East.
The comments came during a phone call he received from Iran’s Supreme Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, the Gulf country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X. During the call, he also reiterated Qatar’s support for all efforts that enhance security and stability in the region.
