Two armed members of Iran’s police particular forces stand behind a rustic flag positioned on an armored navy automobile throughout a pro-Authorities rally in downtown Tehran, Iran, on January 12, 2026.
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Iran’s management warned of a regional battle on Sunday if the U.S. have been to assault it, stoking the strain between Washington and Tehran, and it designated EU armies as “terrorist teams” in a retaliatory transfer.
The USA has ramped up its naval presence within the Center East after President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened Iran with intervention if it didn’t conform to a nuclear deal or did not cease killing protesters.
Regardless of the standoff between Iran’s clerical rulers and the Trump administration, either side have signalled they’re able to resume talks, and regional allies akin to Turkey have sought de-escalation.
An Iranian official denied an earlier report by state-run Press TV that the Revolutionary Guards’ naval forces would conduct live-fire workout routines within the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and Monday, telling Reuters they haven’t any such plan and the media stories are improper.
Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted on state media as saying that though Trump says he has despatched ships to the area, “the Iranian nation shall not be scared by these items, the Iranian individuals won’t be stirred by these threats.”
“We’re not the initiators and don’t wish to assault any nation, however the Iranian nation will strike a robust blow in opposition to anybody who assaults and harasses them,” he mentioned.
The U.S. Navy presently has six destroyers, one plane provider, and three littoral fight ships within the area, elevating the danger of struggle after Iran’s lethal crackdown in January on nationwide protests in opposition to the Iranian management.
Trump was weighing choices in opposition to Iran that embody focused strikes on safety forces, Reuters has reported, citing a number of sources.
On Saturday, Trump advised reporters that Iran was “severely speaking” with Washington, hours after Tehran’s high safety official, Ali Larijani, mentioned on X that preparations for negotiations have been underway.
Trump additionally mentioned: “I hope they negotiate one thing acceptable. You would make a negotiated deal that will be passable with no nuclear weapons.”
Tehran says it’s prepared for “truthful” negotiations that don’t search to curtail its defensive capabilities.
The protests, which began over financial hardships however morphed into probably the most acute political problem to the Islamic Republic since its institution in 1979, have now abated after repression.
Official numbers put the unrest-related demise toll at 3,117, whereas the U.S.-based HRANA rights group mentioned on Sunday it had thus far verified the demise of 6,713 individuals. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the numbers.
In a symbolic shift in response to the crackdown on protests, the European Union on Thursday designated the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
In retaliation on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf mentioned EU armies would even be designated as such, and that authorities would deliberate on expelling the navy attachés of EU states.
“By making an attempt to hit the Revolutionary Guards… the Europeans truly shot themselves within the foot,” the speaker advised fellow lawmakers, who all wore IRGC uniforms in assist of the elite pressure.
After his deal with, lawmakers shouted, “Demise to America, Disgrace on you, Europe.”
