BREAKING: U.S. F-35 Shoots Down Iranian Drone Approaching USS Abraham Lincoln

BREAKING: The U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln on Tuesday. Amid soaring regional tensions, Washington warns of a "strong blow" if Tehran continues its maritime provocations in the Arabian Sea.

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday intercepted and destroyed an Iranian drone that approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, marking a significant escalation in a tense maritime standoff between Washington and Tehran. The Iranian Shahed-139 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down by a U.S. F-35 fighter jet as it flew toward the Nimitz-class carrier, according to U.S. officials. No damage to the vessel or injuries to personnel were reported. While the Pentagon has yet to issue a formal statement, the action follows standard defensive protocols for high-value naval assets operating in international waters.

The encounter took place as theAbraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groupmaintains a high-alert posture off the coast of Oman. The carrier arrived in the region on Jan. 26, after a rapid transit from the South China Sea, part of what President Donald Trump has termed a "massive armada" intended to pressure the Iranian regime following its deadly crackdown on domestic anti-government protests.

The shootdown is the latest in a series of "gray zone" provocations by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Earlier Tuesday, three pairs of Iranian gunboats approached and challenged the Stena Imperative, a U.S.-flagged tanker, in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was ordered to stop and prepare for boarding but maintained course and was eventually escorted to safety by a U.S. warship. (Read More)

US fighter jet downs Iranian drone near aircraft carrier, gunboats approach US-flagged tanker

The US military shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, an American official told Reuters on Tuesday. The Iranian Shahed-139 drone was flying towards the carrier and was shot down by a F-35 US fighter jet. "An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board," said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson at the US military's Central Command.

No American service members were harmed during the incident, and no US equipment was damaged, he added. The White House later praised CENTCOM's actions and affirmed that talks scheduled for Friday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were still on. In a separate incident, six Iranian gunboats approached a US-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, according to maritime sources and a security consultancy. US officials confirmed that armed Iranian boats attempted to stop the US-flagged ship, which was subsequently escorted to safety.

"Two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker," Hawkins said. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated it is investigating the incident, which occurred in the inbound Traffic Separation Scheme of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian gunboats attempted to contact the tanker via VHF radio, but the ship ignored their requests to stop and continued on its planned route  (Ed note: Do you think it's starting? This is not the US Navy of previous Presidents, these guys will fight.)      (Read More)

Khamenei Mocks U.S. Military Strength, Threatens Trump with Regional War: ‘We Will End U.S. Mischief’

Iran will “put an end to the United States’ mischief,” declared Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who threatened regional war and accused President Donald Trump of inciting violent protests during an online tirade marking the anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. Over the last 36 hours, Ayatollah Khamenei posted a barrage of messages to X in what amounts to Iran’s latest propaganda blitz targeting the United States, Israel, and domestic opposition, intensifying his long‑running narrative against the West and internal unrest.

The Supreme Leader invoked everything from war threats to brutal domestic crackdowns in an attempt to reassert Iran’s power and claim moral victory over what he described as Western-backed dissent. Khamenei issued a direct threat to the U.S., stating that in the event of escalation — “This time it will be a regional war.”

He mocked U.S. military posturing, saying, “That Americans sometimes talk about war — saying we will come with warships and aircrafts — is nothing new. The Iranian nation is not affected by such talk. They shouldn’t try to intimidate the Iranian nation with such things.” He also warned of “a decisive blow” against anyone who threatens Iran.The regime’s leader also pledged to remain on the offensive and “put an end to the United States’ mischief and harassment.” (Read More)

Khamenei's secret message to Putin

Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, delivered a secret message from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting last week in Moscow, the New York Times reports. According to the report, the message said Iran might agree to transfer its enriched uranium to Russia as part of a new nuclear agreement, as it did under the deal signed in 2015.

Regime officials told the paper that Iran is prepared to close or suspend its nuclear program to ease tensions with the United States, but prefers the U.S. proposal put forward several months ago, under which a regional consortium would be established for uranium enrichment. The Wall Street Journal reported that, contrary to statements by Iranian officials, Iran's missile program would also be on the table in talks scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Friday between special envoy Steve Whitkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to the report, the talks could proceed on two tracks, one addressing the nuclear issue and one addressing the missile program and other disputed matters.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tweeted this morning that the regime in Tehran is preparing for negotiations with the United States. "In light of requests by friendly governments in the region to respond to the U.S. president's offer for negotiations, I have instructed the foreign minister to prepare the ground for fair and just negotiations based on the principles of dignity and wisdom within the framework of the national interest. This will proceed only if an appropriate atmosphere is created, free of threats and unreasonable expectations." (Source)

Khamenei adviser warns: A US strike will pull Israel into the conflict

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani says Tehran is ready for war, warns Israel will be targeted if the US strikes, and insists enriched uranium will stay in Iran.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declared in an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen TV on Monday that “Iran is ready for any war." Shamkhani warned that any American strike on Iran would draw Israel into the conflict. “Israel and America are not two different elements. They are one entity. Our response to Israel is inevitable and is tied to their actions and steps," he said.

The senior adviser addressed the expected talks with Washington and said Tehran is prepared for “practical negotiations with Washington and no one else, as Europe has proven its inability to do anything." He further said the discussions will focus solely on the nuclear issue. He stressed that Iran will not transfer its uranium enriched to 60 percent outside the country. “There is no reason to transfer the stored materials outside Iran. There is no need for all these complicated procedures. Our program is peaceful, our capabilities are domestic, and the 60% enrichment level can be reduced to 20%, but they must pay a cost," he said. 

Shamkhani added that Iran’s position in previous rounds of talks has not changed. “In the previous rounds [of talks], we had three no's: we do not seek a nuclear weapon, we will not go to produce it, and we will not store it, and they must offer a price for that," he said.  (Ed note: Stored uranium? Wait a minute. I had thought that there was no more uranium.)    (Read More)

Iran fears US strike could break Islamic regime's grip on power by reigniting protests, sources say

"People are extremely angry," a former official said, adding a US attack could lead Iranians to rise up again. "The wall of fear has collapsed. There is no fear left."

Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried a US strike could break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back onto the streets, following a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests, according to six current and former officials. In high-level meetings, officials told Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that public anger over last month's crackdown, the bloodiest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has reached a point where fear is no longer a deterrent, four current officials briefed on the discussions said.

The officials said Khamenei was told that many Iranians were prepared to confront security forces again and that external pressure, such as a limited US strike, could embolden them and inflict irreparable damage to the political establishment. One of the officials told Reuters that Iran's enemies were seeking more protests so as to bring the Islamic Republic to an end, and "unfortunately," there would be more violence if an uprising took place.

"An attack combined with demonstrations by angry people could lead to a collapse (of the ruling system). That is the main concern among the top officials, and that is what our enemies want," said the official, who, like the other officials contacted for this story, declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. (Read More)

From Gaza to Iran, Israel readies space 'surprises' for next conflicts- exclusive

Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities, and now the space industry is moving toward dual-use and commercial roles as well.

Israel is quietly developing new space‑based capabilities designed to give the country an edge in the next war with Iran, Avi Berger, head of the Space Office at the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (MAFAT) told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post. Speaking during Israel’s Space Week, Berger said the lessons of recent conflicts have pushed Israel to accelerate innovation in orbit.

“We knew right away that we had to build and create new surprises for the next war,” he said. “Whatever was deployed in June won’t be enough next time. The IDF now has new capabilities – and we can’t forget that the enemy will be different next time around, too.” Six months after Israel’s Rising Lion and America’s Operation Midnight Hammer, tensions in the Middle East are once again at an all-time high, driven by US military deployments and Iran’s murderous crackdown on protesters. Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities. They are a real “eye in the sky,” keeping a close watch on Israel’s enemies from afar, 24/7.

Israel first forayed into space 45 years ago to retain an early-warning capability along the border with Egypt. Since then, Israel has joined the prestigious space club and is one of only 13 countries with indigenous launching capabilities. For Israel, the launch alone is a great achievement. It is carried out to the west, against the rotation of the Earth, so that its trajectory takes it out over the Mediterranean Sea, thus avoiding enemy territory during the launch period.

The satellite technology, as well as the launcher, which according to some reports launches the Jericho ballistic missile and can place up to 380 kilograms into orbit, is not something Israel wants falling into enemy hands. The electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities is also a feat of engineering, would be a gem of intelligence should it be obtained by countries like Iran. That would, of course, be a disaster for Israel. (Read More)

US pick to govern Gaza called Israel ‘colonialist’ implant

Ali Shaath’s “ideology is taken directly from the Palestinian Authority’s playbook of hate and terror promotion,” says Palestinian Media Watch.

Ali Shaath, who has been tasked to head the Gaza administration reconstruction of the Strip, was praised by the White House last month as “a widely respected technocratic leader.” But an Israeli watchdog group said Shaath shares the radical anti-Israel ideology one would expect from a former Palestinian Authority functionary.

“[H]is ideology is taken directly from the Palestinian Authority’s playbook of hate and terror promotion,” said Palestinian Media Watch in a statement on Sunday. Before U.S. President Donald Trump tapped Shaath to lead the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), Shaath shared his views about Israel and terrorism in an April 2025 podcast, as revealed by PMW. In the YouTube interview, Shaath declared Israel a Western colonial project. “This colonialist [Israel], who was planted by America and Western Europe … , they planted it [Israel] in Palestine since the Balfour Promise [i.e., Declaration].”

During the interview, he wouldn’t refer to Israel by its name, calling it “the occupation,” effectively denying its right to exist. In the P.A. lexicon, PMW pointed out, all of Israel is an “occupation,” and all Israeli cities are “settlements.”Itamar Marcus, founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, told JNS that “the American attempt to create a future for Gazans is completely dependent on the quality of the people who will rule Gaza. (Ed note: Won't Ali Shaath just be a fun guy for Israel to work with. Someone needs to tell Ali that God gave that land to a man named Abram over 4000 years ago. See Genesis 15:18.)  (Read More)

Iran Claims Trump Never Gave Them an Ultimatum

Tehran summons EU ambassadors after Revolutionary Guards designated terror group; foreign minister says talks framework will be finalized within days.

Iran said Monday it would finalize a framework for negotiations with the U.S. within days, while denying President Trump's claim that Washington had issued an ultimatum. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a news conference in Tehran that the government is in final stages of defining the conditions and rules that would guide future talks between the two countries. "We are in the process of formulating a framework that will define how we conduct talks with the American side," Araghchi said. "This framework will be completed and finalized within the coming days." 

The announcement comes as Trump has threatened military action against Iran while also proposing negotiations. When asked by reporters about the ultimatum claim, Trump said, "They're the only ones who know." Iran separately summoned ambassadors from the 27 European Union member states for consultations after the bloc designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Araghchi said the proposed framework would cover not only the nuclear agreement but also broader security and regional issues. "Our goal is to protect Iran's interests while reducing tensions that don't serve any side," he said.

...Despite Washington's overtures, Iranian officials made clear they won't concede on three main demands recently conveyed to the U.S., though the specific demands weren't detailed. Talks are expected to proceed through indirect diplomatic channels, as in recent rounds of contacts between the countries. (Ed note: Iran "won't concede," want "indirect diplomatic negotiations" and already have taken control. Where is the "Deal Maker?") (Read More)

Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff Rushes to Israel as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Showdown Looms

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's senior adviser, will travel to Israel on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir, as the U.S. and Iran prepare to hold nuclear negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of negotiations with Washington, a government source told Iranian state media Fars. The talks will include Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Monday, though the location and timing haven't been finalized, as reported by Israel Hayom.

Witkoff, who is managing Iran contacts for the Trump administration, will coordinate positions with Israeli leadership before the talks begin. Iran denied Monday it had received an ultimatum from Trump, after the president said he imposed a deadline for negotiations and threatened military action if Tehran doesn't comply.

"Iran is a country that always acts with honesty and seriousness in diplomatic processes, but we will never tolerate an ultimatum," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters. He said Iran is finalizing details of "the diplomatic process, which we hope to complete in the coming days." (Ed note: These guys are just playing the US for time.)  (Read More)

WATCH: Iranian Lawmakers Don IRGC Uniforms to Threaten U.S. — ‘Death to America!’

Iranian lawmakers chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” while dressed in the uniforms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during a Sunday parliamentary session, according to footage broadcast by state-linked media.

Chants against both the United States and the Jewish state took place during a parliamentary session in Tehran, where Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led legislators in slogans following a vote to designate the armed forces of European Union member states as “terrorist groups” in retaliation for the EU’s decision on Thursday to blacklist the IRGC, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

The coordinated display, broadcast Sunday, marked a unified public allegiance to the IRGC by Iran’s top elected officials. During the session, an IRGC flag was raised and a banner reading “The Revolutionary Guard is the largest ‘anti-terrorism’ organization in the world” was displayed at the Speaker’s podium, as shown in video footage from the chamber.

“I hereby declare that, according to Article 7 of the Retaliatory Action Law, in response to the declaration of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the armies of European countries are [now] considered terrorist groups and the consequences of this action will be the responsibility of the European Union,” Ghalibaf declared. Ghalibaf accused European governments of acting “through blind obedience to the Americans,” saying they had “once again decided against the interests of their own people” by moving against the IRGC. (Read More)

'The regime has completely closed ranks': Israel and US ready skies for potential Iran confrontation

US reportedly reinforcing air defenses in the Middle East, deploying THAAD and Patriot batteries to better protect allies and force, a strong signal of readiness as IRGC official breaks silence after assassination rumors. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy commander, Ali Reza Tangsiri, issued his first public remarks Sunday after rumors spread that he had been killed following a series of mysterious explosions across the country.

“Enemies are trying to spread despair through media warfare,” Tangsiri was quoted as saying by state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency. “Our people must preserve unity and remain consciously present in the arena,” he said. No recent images or video of Tangsiri were released. The statement followed reports Saturday of an explosion in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, after which rumors circulated on social media claiming Tangsiri had been killed. Tasnim denied those reports, later saying a gas leak caused the blast. 

Iranian authorities said one child was killed and 14 people were wounded in the explosion, which occurred in or near an eight-story residential building. Iran’s fire department chief said the cause was a gas leak. Separately, Iranian media reported five additional deaths at a residential complex in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, near the Iraqi border. Details surrounding that incident were not immediately clear.The explosions came amid heightened tensions in Iran over the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump could order military action against the Islamic Republic, and amid speculation that Israel could be involved in any such strike.  (Read More)

Netanyahu reveals vision of ‘great things’ for the North

“We are going to invest billions here in the development of the north. All the communities represented here by the heads of the communities, we are going to make a huge revolution here,” said the Israeli premier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday unveiled a government plan that would direct billions of shekels to three Israeli locales near the border with Lebanon—Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi and Metula. “We are bringing an immediate plan for the rehabilitation, development and growth” of the three areas in the Upper Galilee, Netanyahu said during a speech at the weekly Cabinet meeting. It was held in Kiryat Shmona to signal the government’s commitment to the issue. The new plan will mean “grants for businesses and residents, more resources for housing, industry, medicine, transportation and academic institutions—and that’s only during the first phase,” said Netanyahu.

Roughly a third of Kiryat Shmona’s pre-war population of approximately 26,000 people have not returned since being evacuated in 2023, according to the municipality. Israel evacuated more than 60,000 civilians from the border area in October 2023, when Hezbollah began targeting it in solidarity with Hamas. In September 2024, Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, among other commanders, and eliminated many of its capabilities.

Hezbollah agreed in November 2024 to a ceasefire under the terms of which it may not maintain a presence south of the Litani River, formalizing what was widely seen as one of the Shi’ite terror group’s worst defeats. Israel has been enforcing the ceasefire with dozens of strikes in Lebanon, according to the Israeli military targeting attempts to reestablish Hezbollah’s infrastructure. (Ed note: It's not over with Israel, Israel will live on.) (Read More)

No clicks, no revenue: Iran's blackout wipes out online businesses

A sweeping government-imposed internet blackout has slashed sales, frozen online trade and pushed thousands of small businesses to the brink, according to business owners and industry groups, exposing deep vulnerabilities in Iran’s digital economy. Iran is now enduring the country’s longest and most comprehensive internet disruption on record. Its impact has stretched far beyond blocked platforms and loading screens, pushing many businesses to a point of no return.

Economists estimate Iran’s digital economy generates roughly 30 trillion rials (about $42 million) a day. While modest on paper, that figure represents the livelihoods of small and medium-sized enterprises that operate almost entirely online. The Tehran Chamber of Commerce estimates that at least 500,000 Instagram-based shops operate in Iran, supporting around one million jobs whose sales effectively drop to zero without internet access.

Industry data reviewed by trade groups show daily losses running into billions of rials, with the Chamber reporting revenue declines of 50% to 90%. But some analysts say even those figures understate the damage. “Where does this figure even come from?” IT expert Amin Sabeti told Iran International. “These businesses operate on Instagram. When people have no access to Instagram, one hundred percent of their sales are gone.”

Sabeti said the lack of precise data had itself become part of the crisis. “What we do know is that Instagram and WhatsApp are widely used by small businesses, and many have now lost customers completely,” he added. “For some people, their entire livelihood depended on these platforms.” In Iran, platforms such as Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp function not only as messaging tools but as storefronts, marketing channels and payment gateways. (Read More)

Iran's Defiant Warning: Nuclear Sites Untouchable, US and Israel Will Pay Dearly

Iranian Army Chief Amir Hatami has warned that U.S. strikes would "endanger the Zionist regime," while new reports suggest the regime's recent crackdown left tens of thousands dead.

In a calculated display of stability and defiance, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appeared in public on Saturday for the first time since the country was rocked by weeks of violent anti-government unrest. Visiting the tomb of Ruhollah Khomeini to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Khamenei sought to dispel rumors that he had fled to a fortified underground bunker in anticipation of a U.S. military strike. 

However, the optics of continuity were quickly overshadowed by bellicose rhetoric from Tehran’s military elite, who warned that the "finger is on the trigger" as an American carrier strike group enters the region. While President Masoud Pezeshkian attempted to blend domestic conciliation with accusations of foreign sabotage, the true scale of the recent internal bloodshed is only now coming to light, with some estimates suggesting the death toll from the January crackdown has reached staggering heights.

The Iranian military leadership has adopted an increasingly aggressive stance following the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. Army chief Amir Hatami issued a direct warning to both Washington and Jerusalem, stating that any "miscalculation" would endanger the security of the United States, the broader region, and the "Zionist regime." Hatami specifically pushed back against President Donald Trump’s assertions that Tehran would seek a deal to avoid military action. (Read More)

Khamenei makes first public appearance in weeks as Iran makes new threats against US, Israel

Tehran again blames US, Israel and the Europeans for fomenting unrest; official confirms children were among those arrested in anti-government protests.

Iran on Saturday attempted to project stability after weeks of unrest and fears of a looming US military strike, publishing rare images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in public as officials warned the United States and Israel against military action.

Against the backdrop of mounting tensions, Iranian media published images on Saturday showing Khamenei in public for the first since the protests erupted — attending prayers at the tomb of Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini to mark 47 years since the Islamic Revolution. The photos appeared aimed at countering opposition claims earlier this month that Khamenei had been moved to an underground bunker for fear of a potential US strike.

Also Saturday, Iranian army chief Amir Hatami warned the US and Israel against an attack, saying his country’s forces were on high alert following Washington’s heavy military deployments in the Gulf. He also insisted the Islamic republic’s nuclear expertise could not be eliminated, after Trump said he expected Tehran to seek a deal to avoid US strikes. “If the enemy makes a mistake, without a doubt it will endanger its own security, the security of the region, and the security of the Zionist regime,” Hatami said, according to the official IRNA news agency. He noted that Iran’s armed forces were “at full defensive and military readiness.” (Read More)

In direct threat, Khamenei warns of regional war if US attacks Iran

Supreme leader says Washington knows that conflict would spread, Iranians not afraid; in tit-for-tat, Tehran’s parliament designates European armies as terrorist organizations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday that if the US attacks Iran, the hostilities will broaden into a regional conflict, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.
The has US built up its naval presence in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening Iran with intervention if it does not agree to a nuclear deal or stop killing protesters.

“[Trump] regularly says that he brought ships… The Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things, the Iranian people will not be stirred by these threats,” Khamenei said. “We are not the initiators and do not want to attack any country, but the Iranian nation will strike a strong blow against anyone who attacks and harasses them.”
The comments from the 86-year-old Khamenei were the most direct threat he’s made so far. Tehran has warned that if Trump orders strikes, Iran will target Israel and American military assets in the Middle East. A diplomatic solution remains in the cards, with Tehran saying it is ready for “fair” negotiations that do not seek to curtail its defensive capabilities. (Read More)

Trump: Iran is 'seriously talking', I hope they give up their nuclear weapons

Trump says Iran is "seriously talking" with the US and expresses hope Iran will accept a deal giving up nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday night that Iran is “seriously talking" with the US, adding that he hopes Iran accepts a deal which sees it giving up its nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about his latest thinking on Iran and reiterated that he has dispatched significant military assets to the region.

“I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable," he added. Earlier, Trump said the US could not share military plans with Gulf allies while negotiating with Iran, even as a major American naval presence moves into the region. Speaking with Fox News Channel senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, Trump responded to reporting that Gulf allies remain in the dark about potential US intervention plans involving Iran.

"Well, we can't tell them the plan. If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan - it could be worse, actually," Trump said. "But look, the plan is that [Iran is] talking to us, and we'll see if we can do something, otherwise we'll see what happens… We have a big fleet heading out there, bigger than we had - and still have, actually - in Venezuela." A senior Gulf official told Fox News that Saudi Arabia would not allow the US to use its airspace or bases for an attack. A high-ranking government figure from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state told Fox News that the "US hasn't shared objectives or plans" regarding Iran with Gulf allies, despite recent high-level Saudi meetings in Washington aimed at gaining clarity. (Read More)

CENTCOM warns Iran to avoid ‘escalatory behavior’ during naval drill

U.S. Central Command is urging the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to conduct a scheduled naval exercise safely and avoid “escalatory behavior at sea.” On Thursday, Iran announced that the IRGC would be “conducting a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, scheduled to begin on Sunday.” On Friday, CENTCOM said it “urges the IRGC to conduct the announced naval exercise in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic,” noting that the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf with the world is an international sea passage.

We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions,” the command said, adding that “the U.S. military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms. “Iran’s IRGC must do the same,” CENTCOM stated. 

Jim Hanson, president of the WorldStrat information warfare firm and chief editor of the Middle East Forum, said, “Just a friendly note to Iran that all of its relatively pathetic navy are simply oil slicks waiting to happen.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump remained coy on Friday on the prospect of a military strike, saying that Iranians “want to make a deal” that would spell the end of their nuclear ambitions.  (Ed note: In your face, IRGC!)   (Read More)

As Iran weakens, attention turns to possible revolt from within

Public protests in Iran have been crushed and its society has been battered, but the cracks at the top of the regime are growing. Senior commanders are amassing wealth in the West, their children hold foreign citizenship, and a scenario of an internal plot, backed by Western powers, could make a large-scale war unnecessary. Many Israelis are familiar with the story from the Book of Esther, in which Mordechai learns that two officials in the Persian king's court, Bigthan and Teresh, are plotting to assassinate him. Mordechai alerts Esther and the king, and the two conspirators are executed for their scheme.

That episode ended well, and the Persian king survived. But Iranian history is rife with cases in which sons or close associates rose up against rulers, murdered them or at least removed them from the throne through conspiracies and palace plots. Some rulers, fearing such betrayals, even killed their own sons and confidants preemptively, suspecting they might turn against them.

Today, with the Iranian regime widely seen as far weaker than in previous years and repeatedly entangled in wars that sap its strength, the likelihood of an internal conspiracy by interested parties or figures within the centers of power is increasing. These include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military and the political elite. For now, they appear united against what they define as the internal enemy: the public, which took to the streets in protest in an effort to topple the regime and install an alternative government. Those protests failed to endanger the regime, largely due to brutal repression and the killing of demonstrators. (Read More)

Iran’s diplomatic scramble to gather allies against US - analysis

Iran is scrambling to try to get countries to help it prevent a war with the US. Over the last days, Iran has reached out to Russia, Turkey, and other countries. The goal is to get some countries that have influence with the US to intercede. With Russia, Iran hopes that Moscow may also be able to bring pressure.

Iran is also hoping Gulf countries will help it out of a bind. The potential countries in the Gulf that might assist include Qatar. Doha was key to the ceasefire deal at the end of the 12-day war last summer and has often had warm ties with both Iran and the US.

What is clear is that Iran does take US threats seriously. In the past, Tehran has floated the idea of talks but was not actually willing to make concessions. Iran knows the Trump administration will want something to show for any talks. The White House will want a win it can present publicly, though it’s not clear what “win” Iran might be able to give the US.

Iran is aware of reports in the West that say its regime is weak and that Saudi Arabia might be flexible on whether the US proceeds with strikes. Previously, it seemed most US allies and partners in the region opposed strikes, except Israel. Now it remains to be seen if countries in the region have enough influence with the US administration to prevent escalation. (Read More)

Israel’s freshwater balancing act: The Kinneret under strain

At first glance, the Kinneret looks calm, even reassuring. Israel’s only large natural freshwater lake has stabilized after years of fluctuating water levels, standing in contrast to drying reservoirs and shrinking lakes across the globe. To the casual observer, the lake, also known as the Sea of Galilee, appears to be a rare environmental success story in an era of climate uncertainty.

That stability, however, is neither natural nor guaranteed. It is the product of constant intervention, heavy regulation, and a delicate balancing act overseen by Israel’s water authorities. Behind the carefully maintained waterline lies a system under constant strain, expected to supply drinking water, sustain agriculture, support ecosystems, and feed the Jordan River, all while absorbing the cumulative effects of intensive human use.

The paradox of the Kinneret is that the more Israel depends on it, the more vulnerable it becomes. Each year, hundreds of millions of cubic meters of water are pumped from the lake, gradually increasing its salinity and altering its ecological composition. Experts warn that without continued oversight and meaningful changes in water management, the reservoir that has long symbolized abundance could become a strategic liability. (Read More)

IDF strikes Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon over ceasefire breach

The IDF on Friday struck infrastructure sites and engineering vehicles used by Hezbollah terrorists in attempts to reestablish the terror organizations' infrastructure in the Mazraat al-Daoudiya area in southern Lebanon, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced.

It noted that the presence of these infrastructure sites and the engineering vehicles in the area, as well as Hezbollah's use of them for rebuilding terror infrastructure sites in Lebanon, constitute a violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel and to prevent Hezbollah's reestablishment," the statement said. (Ed note: Mazraat al-Daoudiya area in southern Lebanon is about 6 miles from the city named in Psalm 83, TYRE.) (Source)

Tehran braces for war while testing the limits of diplomacy

Tehran appears to have taken the US military buildup near Iran seriously, but shows no sign of softening its rhetoric or accepting Washington’s terms while it explores limited diplomatic channels. Speaking in Istanbul on Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would consider US proposals for negotiations only if the military threat was removed first. Araghchi was in the Turkish city to explore a possible mediation initiative, though he made clear that Tehran would not negotiate under pressure.

Hours later, US President Donald Trump said he had directly communicated a deadline to Iran for reaching an agreement with Washington. “Only they know about the deadline for sure,” Trump told reporters, without elaborating on the terms or consequences. The exchange reflects a familiar standoff: Washington is attempting to force rapid movement at a moment when Iran is politically and economically weakened, while Tehran is signaling defiance even as it quietly probes diplomatic off-ramps. Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee, said on Thursday that internal debates were under way in Tehran over how far Trump might go.

“Trump’s confrontation with Iran during his first term was a failure,” he told news website Didban Iran, setting out his assessment that the US president’s long-term aim was to end the Islamic Republic. “He knows there is no third term, and this is his only chance.” Ardestani also argued that regional powers including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey oppose the collapse of the Islamic Republic, which he said they view as destabilizing and economically disruptive.

Former Iranian diplomat Kourosh Ahmadi offered a more cautious assessment. Speaking to Entekhab on January 29, he said Trump’s deployment of military forces was intended primarily to intensify diplomatic and economic pressure on Tehran rather than signal a settled decision to strike. “Trump does not want to be remembered as a president who failed to deliver on his promises,” Ahmadi said, adding that the show of force was designed to deepen Iran’s economic crisis and force concessions. (Ed note: Very interesting article as it looks into the rational process of the Iranian mind.) (Read More)

Stop chasing after the Saudis to join the Abraham Accords

Now that they’ve stopped worrying about an Iranian bomb, Riyadh is making clear that it will never recognize the State of Israel. It was never going to be worth the price anyway.

The 12-day air campaign against Iran that was carried out by Israel last June, and then eventually joined by the United States, changed the strategic equation in the Middle East. But as much as that is an enormous benefit to both Jerusalem and Washington, there was one consequence to this victory that will discourage many observers of the region.

The tacit alliance between Israel and Saudi Arabia against a common enemy in Tehran was the basis for the success of the first Trump administration’s ability to make the Abraham Accords a reality in 2020. It also raised the possibility of the entire Arab and Muslim world coming to terms with the permanence of Israel, as well as the possibility that the guardian of Islamic holy places in Mecca and Medina might embrace formal recognition of Israel.

As insider reports have increasingly made clear, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the country, has decided to alter his country’s course. Instead of continuing to move closer to Jerusalem and, as so many in the United States and Israel hoped and even expected, joining the Abraham Accords themselves, the Saudis seem to be eyeing a different sort of regional realignment, in which they will now link up with other Islamist countries like Qatar and Turkey. They have even reportedly been advocating for the United States not to attack Iran so as to help the protest movement succeed in overthrowing the Islamist theocrats that have despotically ruled since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. They’ve also refused to let Washington use their territory for potential attacks on Iran. (Ed note: But isn't the Crown Prince just the newest best friend of President Trump?) (Read More)

Iran, Russia, and China Hold Joint Military Drills near Strait of Hormuz

Iran, Russia, and China conducted joint military drills near the Strait of Hormuz as US threats against Iran intensify and regional actors prepare for possible escalation.

Iran has concluded wide-ranging joint military exercises with Russia and China in waters stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the northern Indian Ocean, as regional tensions escalate amid explicit US threats of military action against Tehran. Iranian state and regional media reported that the exercises, named Zolfaghar 1400, involved naval, aerial, and ground forces operating across the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and parts of the northern Indian Ocean.

According to sources cited by Al-Jazeera, Iran’s navy will continue maneuvers in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean in the coming days. The drills included forces from the Iranian army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, as well as participating units from Russia and China, as part of routine annual exercises. Iran’s Nour News agency reported that additional joint drills involving the three countries are scheduled to take place near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

Ahead of the exercises, Iran issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), warning of live-fire military activity in the airspace surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. According to the notice, military firing activity was conducted between January 27 and 29 within a five-nautical-mile radius. The airspace—from ground level up to 25,000 feet—was designated as restricted and hazardous throughout the duration of the maneuvers. (Read More)

'They feel abandoned': Iranians needs Trump's help, former IRGC officer warns - interview

Over the past month, the people of Iran took to the streets to fight for their future. What began as an economic grievance quickly snowballed into demands for change, calls for revolution, and an end to the Islamic regime that has held the country under its thumb for nearly 50 years. When US President Donald Trump promised to help protesters, Iranians around the world felt hope that, finally, change could happen. However, Trump quickly changed his mind, leaving the people feeling abandoned and isolated.

“They need the Americans. They depend on the Americans,” Roni Insaz, an Iranian-born former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, told The Jerusalem Post, explaining that the US may be the Iranians’ last hope for a better life.

With Trump’s flip-flopping, the world as a whole has been made to watch with bated breath, preparing for any and all possible scenarios. The president said he has no reason to strike so long as the regime halts executions, which reports within Iran claim have not actually stopped, but protesters have been begging for US intervention, and Insaz pointed out, isn’t that reason enough?

“There is enormous anger among the Iranian people toward Trump. He promised things, and now they feel he’s backing away,” Insaz said. “They love Trump, they love America – but right now they feel abandoned, and it hurts.” (Read More)

Trump says he’s given Iran deadline to accept deal before potential strike

Iran says defense capabilities ‘never’ up for negotiation, as US missile destroyer reaches Eilat; FM Araghchi says ready for talks ‘on equal footing, based on mutual respect’

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had given Iran a deadline to make a deal, as Washington moved significant military assets to the Middle East ahead of a potential strike on the Islamic Republic. Asked by reporters in the Oval Office whether he’d set a deadline for Iran before a potential strike, Trump confirmed that he had communicated one directly to Tehran, adding, “Only they know for sure.” He did not reveal the timing of that deadline.

Asked if there was a timeline for when the US forces in the region might pull back, Trump was noncommittal. “They have to float someplace. They might as well float near Iran.” He reiterated his “appreciation” of the regime’s purported calling off of over 800 executions of anti-government protesters — something Tehran has not confirmed it was planning to do.

Trump had threatened to strike the regime if it killed protesters, which it is widely reported to have done in the thousands.“We have a large armada flotilla heading toward Iran right now,” Trump reiterated. “Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

The US has said a deal with Iran will have to include a ban on uranium enrichment in Iran, the removal of already-enriched uranium from Iran, a cap on Iran’s stockpile of long-range missiles and a rollback of Iran’s support for proxies in the region — all terms that Tehran has said it will not accept. Iran’s top diplomat said Friday that his country’s missile and defense capabilities would “never” be on the negotiating table. (Read More)

NYT: Israel Urges US to Join Renewed Strikes on Iran's Ballistic Missile Program

Israel urging U.S. to join military strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program as Trump reviews expanded target list including nuclear facilities, according to New York Times report. Israeli intelligence says Iranian missile arsenal rebuilt since previous operations. Israel is pressing the United States to participate in renewed military strikes targeting Iran's ballistic missile program, according to U.S. officials cited in a New York Times article.

The report, published on January 29, 2026, states that President Trump has been presented with an expanded list of potential military options against Iran, aimed at further damaging the country's nuclear and missile facilities or weakening its supreme leader. These options extend beyond those considered two weeks prior, which focused on halting the killing of protesters by Iranian security forces.Israel specifically advocates for a third option: joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program, which Israeli intelligence assesses has been largely rebuilt since previous operations.

U.S. officials, speaking anonymously to discuss potential military plans, noted that Trump has not yet authorized any action or selected from the Pentagon's proposals. The president remains open to diplomatic solutions, with some acknowledging that the threats may be intended to push Iran toward negotiations. (Source)

‘Nuclear technology cannot be eliminated’: Iran warns US, Israel against attack

Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami warned the US and Israel against attacking Iran, saying its forces are on high alert and nuclear technology cannot be eliminated despite military threats. 

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami on Saturday (Jan 31) warned the United States and Israel against an attack on the Islamic Republic, saying that the country’s forces are on high alert after Washington deployed heavy military forces in the Gulf. He added that his country’s nuclear technology “cannot be eliminated” after US President Donald Trump said that he expected Iran to seek a deal to avoid an attack by American forces. This comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran after Trump deployed an “armada” in the Gulf.  (Source)

Satellite images show Iran building roofs over bombed nuclear sites

Associated Press report: Satellite images show Iran built roofs over bombed nuclear sites at Natanz and Isfahan to obscure salvage efforts.

As tensions soar over Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year by Israel and the United States that may be a sign of Tehran trying to obscure efforts to salvage any materials remaining there, The Associated Press reported on Friday. The images from Planet Labs PBC show roofs have been built over two damaged buildings at the Isfahan and Natanz facilities, the first major activity noticeable by satellite at any of the country's stricken nuclear sites since Israel's 12-day war with Iran in June.

Those coverings block satellites from seeing what's happening on the ground, right now the only way for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor the sites as Iran has prevented access. Iran has not publicly discussed the activity at the two sites. The IAEA, a watchdog agency of the United Nations, did not respond to requests for comment.

According to AP, which cited experts who examined the sites, the new roofs do not appear to be a sign of reconstruction starting at the heavily damaged facilities. Instead, they are likely part of Iran's efforts "to assess whether key assets - such as limited stocks of highly enriched uranium - survived the strikes," said Andrea Stricker, who studies Iran for the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which has been sanctioned by Tehran. During last year's war, Israel targeted the Iranian nuclear sites first, followed by US strikes using bunker-busting bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Iran has not allowed IAEA inspectors to visit the sites since the attacks. (Read More)

JUST IN: New activity spotted at Iranian nuclear sites

Russia Says Attack on Iran Bushehr Plant Could Trigger Nuclear Disaster

Rosatom chief confirms readiness to evacuate Russian personnel from Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. Alexei Likhachev warns attack on facility could trigger nuclear catastrophe as diplomatic efforts collapse.

Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has confirmed it is ready to evacuate its personnel from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant “if necessary,” amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, made the statement today, as reported by Russian news agency TASS, emphasizing preparedness while noting ongoing cooperation at the site.

The Bushehr plant, Iran’s only operational nuclear power facility, was built with Russian assistance and remains under joint management, with Russian specialists involved in its operations and the construction of additional units. Likhachev also warned that any attack on the plant could trigger a nuclear catastrophe, highlighting the risks amid U.S. military buildup in the region. This announcement comes as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions falter. (Ed note: Did Alexei Likhachev read Dr. Bill Salus' very interesting book, "Nuclear Showdown in Iran," have you?) (Source)

Trump confirms talks with Tehran, is reportedly mulling raids by troops on Iranian facilities

NYT says options under consideration aimed at causing further damage to nuclear and missile programs, weakening Khamenei; report notes ‘unclear’ who would run Iran if supreme leader fell.

US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed he has had dialogue with Iran, as The New York Times reported he was considering potential raids by American troops on facilities within the Islamic Republic. “We have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didn’t have to use them,” Trump told reporters, referring to the US military assets moving to the region.

Asked if he has any conversations with Iran in the last few days or if he is planning to, Trump responded, “I have had, and I am planning on it.” Trump has threatened strikes over Iran’s deadly crackdown on mass anti-regime protests this month. Rights groups have verified thousands of deaths, but estimates of the total number of people killed range into the tens of thousands. Trump has also warned the US will strike Iran unless it agrees to a deal halting its contentious nuclear program, which the US and Israel targeted in June during the 12-day war.

Amid the tensions, Trump has been presented with additional military options for attacking Iran, to cause further damage to the regime’s nuclear and missile programs as well as weaken Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The New York Times reported. Citing US officials, the newspaper said among the options being considered are potential raids by US troops, such as sending commandos to nuclear facilities that were not damaged during the 12-day war in June, though Trump has yet to make a decision on whether to attack the country. (Read More)

The Point of No Return: Why Israel Believes the American Armada is Now Unstoppable

Israeli officials believe President Trump is set to order a limited military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic missiles, recognizing that regime change through air power alone is unrealistic. Heightened US deployments signal the point of no return has passed, raising fears of Iranian retaliation directly against Israel. Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as Israeli leaders anticipate a possible US military operation against Iran, though assessments indicate any action will be limited in scope and unlikely to result in the fall of the Islamic Republic regime.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a narrow security consultation Thursday evening, where discussions centered on the potential for American strikes amid ongoing buildup of US forces in the region. Israeli officials assess that President Donald Trump has shifted away from pursuing full regime change, concluding that no feasible military operation at this stage could achieve that outcome, particularly given the regime's success in suppressing widespread protests. A Trump post on Truth Social, combined with other indicators, reinforces this view in Jerusalem, where senior figures note that the president initially signaled interest in regime replacement but now appears convinced that current conditions prevent such a drastic result.

Israeli experts concur that a restricted, non-comprehensive, and possibly short-duration military action would fail to dismantle the regime. Consequently, they expect Trump, if he greenlights an operation, to concentrate on tangible physical targets, such as nuclear sites and potentially ballistic missile infrastructure, priorities that align with Israel's long-standing security concerns in any strike scenario. Should the United States proceed with these objectives, assessments suggest Iran would likely respond by launching attacks toward Israel, dramatically intensifying the situation, as Jerusalem would then counter with significant force. (Read More)

U.S.-Iran Mediation Efforts Collapse as Military Confrontation Looms

Mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman to broker U.S.-Iran negotiations have failed. Washington demands halt to uranium enrichment and missile limits while Tehran refuses compromise, raising fears of imminent military escalation in the Middle East as Trump warns time is running out.

Recent reports from U.S. media, including The Wall Street Journal, confirm that several Middle Eastern governments, such as Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, have attempted to mediate indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran in early to mid-January 2026 to avert a potential military conflict. These efforts, driven by fears of regional instability, oil market disruptions, and broader escalation, have so far failed to gain traction, with no breakthroughs reported.

The diplomatic impasse stems from irreconcilable differences in core demands. U.S. officials, under President Donald Trump, have insisted on minimum conditions for any deal: a complete halt to Iran's uranium enrichment, strict limitations on its ballistic missile arsenal, and an end to Tehran's support for proxy militias across the Middle East, including groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.

Iranian leaders, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have publicly rejected these terms, refusing to compromise on nuclear enrichment rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or curb their missile program, which they describe as essential for national defense. (Read More)