Saudi, Iranian Foreign Ministers Hold Call On Regional Stability

Jan 15, 2026, 12:00 GMT

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran held a phone call on Thursday amid growing regional tensions and speculation about possible US military action against Iran.

Faisal bin Farhan and Abbas Araghchi discussed ways to strengthen regional stability, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X.

In a separate statement, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Saudi foreign minister expressed concern about the current situation in the region and stressed the importance of diplomacy and regional cooperation to maintain stability and security.

According to the statement, Araghchi said the Islamic Republic would defend Iran’s sovereignty against external threats.

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China Opposes Foreign Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs

Jan 14, 2026, 12:49 GMT

China has reiterated its opposition to any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs, following a warning by US President Donald Trump that the United States would take “very strong actions” against Tehran.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing supports the government and people of Iran and hopes they can overcome current difficulties and maintain stability.

Mao said China opposes interference by external forces in the internal affairs of sovereign states and does not support the use or threat of force in international relations.

Her remarks come as tensions have escalated between Washington and Tehran amid widespread protests in Iran and growing international concern over the situation.

Iran Warns US Allies Of Retaliation, Urges Them To Block Possible Attack

Jan 14, 2026, 11:51 GMT

Iran has warned US allies in the Middle East that their territory could be targeted if Washington launches a military attack on the Islamic Republic, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tehran has urged regional countries to “prevent a Washington attack on Iran,” warning that US military bases hosted by allies would be considered legitimate targets in the event of an assault.

According to the official, Iran has conveyed the message to several countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Türkiye.

The official also said direct contacts between Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff have been suspended, signalling a further deterioration in diplomatic engagement.

At the same time, an Israeli official told Reuters that, according to Israel’s assessment, Trump has decided to intervene in Iran, although the scope and timing of any action remain unclear.

The Israeli official said the security cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefed late Tuesday on scenarios including possible US intervention or the collapse of the Iranian government.

Tensions have escalated sharply as Iran faces widespread anti-government protests and amid increasingly explicit warnings from Washington.

Meanwhile, the editorial board of Iran International Network said in a statement that the Islamic Republic has killed at least 12,000 people during nationwide protests. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the figure.

Independent verification of casualty numbers remains difficult due to severe media restrictions and ongoing internet shutdowns across Iran.

Internet Shutdown Likely To Continue Amid Protests, Says Iranian Media

Jan 14, 2026, 09:28 GMT

Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that restrictions on internet access in Iran are likely to continue as nationwide protests persist.

The agency wrote that the current limitations should remain in place, acknowledging that the government has so far been unable to resolve problems with the country’s domestic internet infrastructure. It said efforts are under way to address those technical issues.

According to Fars, the existing level of internet access is expected to remain unchanged until the protests “subside”. The report added that final decisions on easing or lifting the restrictions would be made in the coming weeks.

Iran imposed a near-total internet shutdown following the outbreak of widespread anti-government demonstrations, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups and international organisations, which say the restrictions limit access to information and hinder the documentation of alleged abuses.

Trump Urges Iranians To Continue Protests, Seize Control Of Institutions

Jan 13, 2026, 16:01 GMT

Donald Trump on Tuesday addressed what he called “Iranian patriots,” urging them to continue protests, take control of state institutions. He said they should document those responsible for the killings and crackdown, warning that they would “pay a heavy price”.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had cancelled all meetings with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran until what he described as the “senseless killing” of protesters comes to an end.

“Keep protesting – Take over your institutions,” Trump wrote, calling on demonstrators to record the names of those involved in the crackdown. He added that “help is on its way” and repeated his call to “make Iran great again”.

Trump’s remarks come amid escalating nationwide protests in Iran and growing international scrutiny of the authorities’ response, which has included mass arrests, the use of live ammunition and a sweeping internet shutdown.

Iran Confirms At Least 2,000 Killed In Recent Protests

Jan 13, 2026, 13:52 GMT

An Iranian official said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday that at least 2,000 people have been killed during the ongoing protests in Iran, marking the first time authorities have publicly acknowledged such a high death toll from the recent unrest.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details about the identities of those killed or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The disclosure follows a severe, nearly two-week crackdown on nationwide protests, during which Iranian security forces have used force to suppress demonstrations.

Other sources cited by Iran International have previously put the death toll significantly higher, estimating that as many as 12,000 people may have been killed. Iranian authorities have not publicly responded to those claims.

Independent verification of casualty figures has been difficult amid restrictions on media access and widespread internet disruptions across the country.

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China Opposes Foreign Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs

Jan 14, 2026, 12:49 GMT

Mao said China opposes interference by external forces in the internal affairs of sovereign states and does not support the use or threat of force in international relations.

Her remarks come as tensions have escalated between Washington and Tehran amid widespread protests in Iran and growing international concern over the situation.

Iran Warns US Allies Of Retaliation, Urges Them To Block Possible Attack

Jan 14, 2026, 11:51 GMT

According to the official, Iran has conveyed the message to several countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Türkiye.

The official also said direct contacts between Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff have been suspended, signalling a further deterioration in diplomatic engagement.

At the same time, an Israeli official told Reuters that, according to Israel’s assessment, Trump has decided to intervene in Iran, although the scope and timing of any action remain unclear.

The Israeli official said the security cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefed late Tuesday on scenarios including possible US intervention or the collapse of the Iranian government.

Tensions have escalated sharply as Iran faces widespread anti-government protests and amid increasingly explicit warnings from Washington.

Independent verification of casualty numbers remains difficult due to severe media restrictions and ongoing internet shutdowns across Iran.

Internet Shutdown Likely To Continue Amid Protests, Says Iranian Media

Jan 14, 2026, 09:28 GMT

Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that restrictions on internet access in Iran are likely to continue as nationwide protests persist.

Trump Urges Iranians To Continue Protests, Seize Control Of Institutions

Jan 13, 2026, 16:01 GMT

Iran Confirms At Least 2,000 Killed In Recent Protests

Jan 13, 2026, 13:52 GMT

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details about the identities of those killed or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The disclosure follows a severe, nearly two-week crackdown on nationwide protests, during which Iranian security forces have used force to suppress demonstrations.

Independent verification of casualty figures has been difficult amid restrictions on media access and widespread internet disruptions across the country.

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Saudi, Iranian Foreign Ministers Hold Call On Regional Stability

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China Opposes Foreign Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs

Iran Warns US Allies Of Retaliation, Urges Them To Block Possible Attack

Internet Shutdown Likely To Continue Amid Protests, Says Iranian Media

Trump Urges Iranians To Continue Protests, Seize Control Of Institutions

Iran Confirms At Least 2,000 Killed In Recent Protests

China Opposes Foreign Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs

Iran Warns US Allies Of Retaliation, Urges Them To Block Possible Attack

Internet Shutdown Likely To Continue Amid Protests, Says Iranian Media

Trump Urges Iranians To Continue Protests, Seize Control Of Institutions

Iran Confirms At Least 2,000 Killed In Recent Protests

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