Reports indicate rising likelihood of US attack on Iran
Amid ongoing anti-government protests in Iran that have reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths (according to NGOs), recent reports from multiple international sources suggest an increasing likelihood of US military action against the Iranian leadership.
Trump has repeatedly threatened "strong action" if Tehran continues its reported violent suppression of demonstrators, prompting speculation about imminent strikes.
Two European officials indicated that US military intervention could occur within the next 24 hours, with an ‘Israeli’ official noting that Trump appears to have decided on some form of action.
This aligns with assessments from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which on January 13 reported that the Pentagon presented Trump with options including strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, ballistic missile facilities, or cyberattacks on its security apparatus.
Hebrew media, including “The Times of Israel”, reported on January 13 that the likelihood of a US strike has risen following Trump's meetings with advisers, with one American source warning that inaction could not continue given the ongoing "bloodshed."
Iranian officials have responded aggressively, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning that Tehran could target US or ‘Israeli’ bases in the region if attacked.
VIDEO - Iran defends its decision to restrict internet access amid protests
Iran's Deputy UN Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi defends Tehran’s recent internet blackouts before the UN Security Council, dismissing claims that the measures were used to hide human rights violations.
VIDEO - US ambassador to UN: Estimates that Iran has killed “thousands to tens of thousands”
US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz said at the UN Security Council on Thursday that the death toll from the reported Iranian crackdown may have reached "the tens of thousands."
Russia calls UN meeting on Iran “cheap circus”
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, called the ongoing security council session to discuss Iran a “cheap circus”, adding that “hostile forces” are exploiting the protests in Iran.
Russia further accused the United States of trying “to escalate tensions and fuel hysteria around Iran”.
“Today’s meeting … is nothing more than another attempt to justify blatant aggression and interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state,” Nebenzya said.
Russia stands in “solidarity with the people of Iran and [mourns] all innocent victims,” he added.
“Hostile foreign forces are seeking to exploit the current situation in order to overthrow a government they find objectionable and destroy the Islamic Republic of Iran as a sovereign and independent state,” Nebenzya declared.
Trump “stands by the brave people of Iran”: US ambassador to UN
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, said that US President Donald Trump “stands by the brave people of Iran”.
His statements come at a UN Security Council session dealing with Iran and the nationwide protests it has been witnessing.
“The level of violence that the Iranian regime has unleashed on its own people has repercussions for international peace and security,” Waltz said.
He further accused the Iranian government of trying to obscure what is happening in the country, after monitors reported that the government imposed a week-long internet blackout.
VIDEO - Iran halted 800 protester executions: White House
Iran halted 800 executions under pressure from President Donald Trump over its reported crackdown on a wave of protests, but US military action remains an option, the White House says.
"The president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to take place yesterday were halted," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tells reporters.
All options on Iran “remain on the table” for Trump, says White House
Iran halted 800 executions under pressure from President Donald Trump over its reported crackdown on a wave of protests, but US military action remains an option, the White House said Thursday.
"The president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to take place yesterday were halted," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
"All options remain on the table for the president," she said, adding that Trump had warned Tehran of "grave consequences" if the killing of demonstrators continued.
Netanyahu asked Trump to delay Iran attack: NYT
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Donald Trump to postpone any plans for an American strike on Iran, an anonymous senior US official said, cited by The New York Times.
Netanyahu spoke to Trump on Wednesday, the report added, the same day that Trump said he had received intel that Iran had “stopped killing protestors” and stopped any plans for “executions”.
Another senior official cited by The Times reported that Trump had not sidelined any plans for an attack, and any further decision regarding a strike will depend on what Iranian security agencies do next in the coming days regarding the nationwide protests.
Gulf states convinced Trump to give Iran “second chance”: AFP
Intense, last-minute diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have persuaded US President Donald Trump to delay a threatened military intervention in Iran, according to senior regional officials.
The diplomatic surge follows weeks of bellicose rhetoric from the White House regarding Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests that human rights monitors say have left over 3,400 people dead.
A high-ranking Saudi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Thursday that the three Gulf nations engaged in "frenetic diplomacy" to convince Trump that dialogue remained viable and give Iran a “second chance”.
The official noted that the leaders cautioned the US president that an attack would lead to catastrophic regional instability.
Shifting From Missiles to Sanctions
The breakthrough became apparent late Wednesday when President Trump told reporters he had been informed by a "trusted source" that the killing of protesters had ceased and that planned executions had been halted.
"They've said the killing has stopped and the executions won't take place -- there were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won't take place -- and we're going to find out," Trump said.
"We've been told on good authority, and I hope it's true."
Instead of a kinetic strike, the US Treasury Department announced a fresh wave of economic sanctions Thursday.
The measures target high-ranking security officials, including Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, along with several banking networks accused of financing the state's internal security apparatus.
Regional Neutrality and Iranian Response
The diplomatic push was reinforced by a firm Saudi stance.
On Wednesday, Riyadh formally notified Tehran that it would not permit the use of its land or airspace for any US military operation against Iran.
This commitment to neutrality was echoed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who emphasized during a call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, the necessity of protecting Middle Eastern security from "external interference."
In Tehran, observers reported a tentative return to normalcy.
The Iranian judiciary also moved to lower tensions by denying that Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old activist whose fate had become a focal point for international outcry, had been sentenced to death.
According to the Mizan news agency, Soltani faces charges of "organizing anti-security gatherings," which carry prison terms rather than capital punishment.
A Fragile Calm
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet Thursday night at the request of the United States to discuss the ongoing human rights situation and the viability of the current de-escalation.
Iran's new alternative? Reza Pahlavi
Death toll in Iran unrest remains unclear amid conflicting reports
Casualty figures from recent unrest in Iran remain uncertain, with official and opposition sources offering widely differing numbers.
Read more: Reports indicate rising likelihood of US attack on Iran
Iranian authorities have not released an official death toll but stated that more than 100 members of the security forces have been killed. Opposition activists claim the number is much higher, including over 1,000 protesters. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 2,615 deaths.
On Wednesday, Iranian state TV broadcast mass funerals in Tehran, reportedly including 300 bodies of both security personnel and civilians.
Roya News is unable to independently verify any of these figures.
European airlines avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace amid regional tensions
- European airlines avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace despite reopening, citing geopolitical risks.
- Flights rerouted over Afghanistan and Central Asia; some require refueling stops in Cyprus or Greece.
Flight tracking data shows European carriers including Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and British Airways are avoiding Iraqi and Iranian airspace on Thursday, opting for alternative routes over Afghanistan and Central Asia to minimize risks from ongoing geopolitical instability in Iran and the Middle East, according to Reuters.
Iran briefly closed its airspace late Wednesday for nearly five hours amid fears of potential US military action, forcing airlines to reroute, cancel, or delay flights. Despite reopening, FlightRadar24 data shows several airlines, including Singapore Airlines and TUI, continue to use alternate paths.
Read more: Lufthansa, ITA Airways suspend ‘Israel’ flights amid Iran tensions: Hebrew media
Over the past two years, Western carriers have frequently altered routes over the Middle East, often flying over Afghanistan despite Taliban control, to avoid high-risk conflict zones.
Germany issued new guidance Wednesday warning domestic airlines against entering Iranian airspace, shortly after Lufthansa reorganized its Middle East flight operations amid rising regional tensions.
A Wizz Air spokesperson said, “We are avoiding Iraqi and Iranian airspace. Some westbound flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi will need to stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, or Thessaloniki, Greece, for refueling and crew changes.”
Read more: ‘Israel’ opens bomb shelters amid US tensions with Iran
Airlines such as Ryanair have also recently rerouted flights to avoid the Middle East, particularly in light of unrest surrounding 'Israel', Iran, and neighboring countries. Carriers like Air France have long avoided Iranian airspace.
US sends aircraft carrier to Middle East from South China Sea
The United States has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group to head to the Middle East from the South China Sea, US media reported.
Reports said Washington currently has no aircraft carriers stationed in the Middle East or Europe, following earlier decisions by the US President Donald Trump to redeploy naval forces to the Caribbean.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the shift left the US without a carrier strike group positioned for potential action against Iran, unlike during previous tensions.
A US Navy official said the US now has 12 warships in the Caribbean, compared with six in the Middle East.
Iranian foreign minister: We will strongly defend our country against any threat
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would “defend our country with strength” against any external threat, underscoring a hardening tone amid regional tensions.
Condemnation of US remarks
Araghchi denounced what he called “provocative” statements from the United States, describing them as interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
Regional security message
He also stressed that countries in the region bear responsibility for safeguarding their own security, warning against destabilizing moves “especially by 'Israel'.”
The comments come as diplomatic pressure and security alerts intensify across the Middle East, with Iran signaling readiness to respond while urging regional actors to prevent further escalation.
Iran’s Araghchi: No plans for hangings, full control maintained
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that there is no plan to carry out death sentences by hanging in the country.
He described the unrest since January 8 as an extension of the 12-day war waged by 'Israel' and the United States, emphasizing that Tehran now maintains full control over both the field and security situation nationwide.
Turkish Foreign Minister: No tolerance for potential violence against Iran
Turkey’s Foreign Minister stated that Ankara will not tolerate any potential use of violence against Iran, emphasizing the need for restraint and peaceful solutions amid rising regional tensions.
UK advises citizens to avoid travel to 'Israel'
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised its citizens to avoid travel to 'Israel' except for essential reasons, citing ongoing regional tensions.
US Embassy in 'Israel' urges citizens to exercise caution
The US Embassy in 'Israel' has urged American citizens to exercise caution due to ongoing regional tensions, the embassy said.
The statement emphasized that there have been no changes affecting embassy personnel. The advisory comes amid rising tensions with Iran.
Rights group: Iran protests death toll rises to 2,615
The death toll from ongoing protests in Iran has reached 2,615, a US-based human rights news agency reported, citing activists on the ground.
2,054 people have been injured and 18,470 arrested since the demonstrations began roughly three weeks ago, according to the report by the Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Iranian authorities have yet to release an official statement on the total number of casualties or injuries.
VIDEO - In ‘Israel’, people rally in support of Iranian protesters
A few dozen people rally in the central ‘Israeli’ settlement of Holon in support of Iranian protesters, as the Islamic Republic is shaken by over two weeks of anti-government demonstrations.
Trump says not sure if Iranians would accept Reza Pahalavi as leader
US President Donald Trump doubted Thursday the ability of Reza Pahalavi, the son of Iran’s deposed Shah, to lead Iran in the case of a leadership change.
"He seems very nice, but I don't know how he'd play within his own country. And we really aren’t up to that point yet, we're looking and studying a lot of things. But it's very early - too soon to say. I don't know how he gets along with his country,” Trump said in an interview with Reuters.
"I don't know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me," he added.
Trump noted that he has not spoken with Pahlavi.
Iran FM says there will be “no hanging today or tomorrow”
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday there would not be any "hanging today or tomorrow," despite earlier vows from Tehran to fast-track trials for protesters.
In an interview with US broadcaster Fox News, Araghchi insisted that 10 days of demonstrations over Iran's economic hardships were followed by three days of violence orchestrated by ‘Israel’, and calm had been restored.
"I can tell you, I'm confident that there is no plan for hanging," Araghchi said.
UK tells citizens to avoid non-essential travel to ‘Israel’
The UK Foreign Office advised Thursday morning its citizens against all but essential travel to ‘Israel’, amid rising reports of the US planning to take military action against ‘Israel’.
The shift reflects growing international alarm over an impending military escalation between the United States and Iran, which British officials fear could trigger an immediate and unpredictable regional spillover.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) stated that the update was necessitated by a heightened risk of regional tension, warning that any further escalation "could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.
The advisory for ‘Israel’ is part of a broader British defensive posture in the Middle East. Earlier on Wednesday, the UK confirmed it had temporarily withdrawn its diplomatic staff from Tehran, citing the deteriorating security situation within Iran following weeks of anti-government protests.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the travel warning for ‘Israel’ serves as a precautionary measure against potential Iranian counter-strikes.
Intelligence assessments suggest that Iranian retaliation for any US military action could target ‘Israeli’ airspaces, airports, and critical infrastructure.
Iran issues notice closing airspace to most flights: Reuters via Flightradar24
Iran has issued an emergency notification effectively shutting down its national airspace to nearly all flight operations, according to data from FlightRadar24 cited by Reuters.
The move comes as regional tensions reach a breaking point, with Washington signaling potential military intervention in response to the Iranian government’s reported crackdown on domestic protests.
The Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) restricts the use of Iranian skies to a narrow subset of international flights that must receive explicit authorization from Iranian civil aviation and military authorities.
Flight tracking platforms showed a dramatic "emptying" of the airspace over the Islamic Republic and neighboring Iraq late Wednesday night.
Lufthansa says will bypass Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice”
Germany's Lufthansa on Wednesday said its flights would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace "until further notice" after US threats against Iran.
The group, which includes Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Eurowings, Swiss and ITA Airways, said in a statement that it was bypassing the airspace "due to the current situation in the Middle East".
'There is a calm. We are in full control,' Iran foreign minister says
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday said the government was in full control, as reports by human rights groups say the authorities are carrying out their most severe repression of protests in years.
"After three days of terrorist operation, now there is a calm. We are in full control," Araghchi told US broadcaster Fox News' "Special Report" program.
Trump says has been notified killings in Iran have “stopped”
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had been told that "executions" had stopped in Iran, amid reports by rights groups that Iranian authorities were brutally suppressing protests against the government.
During an event at the White House, Trump said he had been told on "good authority" that the "killing in Iran is stopping. It's stopped...and there's no plan for executions," without providing further details.
UK says it has “temporarily closed” embassy in Tehran
The British embassy in Iran's capital Tehran has been "temporarily closed", the government in London said on Wednesday.
"We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely," a government spokesperson said. "Foreign Office travel advice has now been updated to reflect this consular change."
