US president Donald Trump said he planned to speak with Iran, even as his administration dispatched another warship to the Middle East.
Trump did not elaborate on the nature or timing of the dialogue, but said, “I am planning on it, yeah,” when asked about possible discussions with Tehran.
He told reporters: "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."His statement comes as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.
The American military has moved the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers into the Mideast.
Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned the European Union’s decision to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation on Thursday, denouncing the move as “illegal and unjustified”.
It said that designating a country’s official military institution as a “terrorist” organisation was a dangerous move.
The EU on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting six entities and 15 individuals involved in the country’s bloody crackdown, which included Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni and prosecutor general Mohammad Movahedi.
Key Points
- Iran says EU deeming Revolutionary Guard terror organisation a 'symbolic act'
- Trump says he plans to talk to Iran
- More than 6,000 deaths confirmed in Iran while 17,000 still under investigation
- Iranian senior officials and family no longer welcome in US
- Tories urge UK government to ban Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
- Iranian minister to hold talks in Turkey today
Trump threatens Iran with ‘massive armada’ in Gulf
08:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran has its ‘fingers on the trigger’ to respond to aggression from the United States, the country’s foreign minister warned, after Donald Trump threatened fresh military action over its nuclear programme.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump told Iran that “time is running out” to make a deal, and that the “next attack” by US forces will be “far worse” than previous strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year. He added that a “massive armada” was on its way to the country in preparation for possible military action.
“Like with Venezuela, it [the armarda] is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary,” he wrote, adding it was “moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose”.
More here.
US 'nuke sniffer' aircraft lands in UK
07:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA US Air Force aircraft known as the “nuke sniffer” has landed in Britain as Washington's tensions with Iran escalate.
The WC-135R Constant Phoenix, a specialist jet used to detect radioactive particles in the atmosphere, touched down at the RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, a US-operated airbase, The Telegraph reported.
The deployment comes amid mounting speculation that Washington is weighing military action against Iran, months after strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities last June.
Watch: Omid Djalili: Iranians will fight to the end against this brutal regime
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarNo 10 welcomes EU move to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists
06:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDowning Street has welcomed new EU sanctions on Iran, which include labelling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation.
EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Thursday to further respond to Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters in recent weeks.
The bloc adopted new sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in the violent crackdown and has now included the IRGC – the military group loyal to the Iranian regime – on its list of terrorist organisations.
The move heaps pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to follow suit
No 10 backs EU plan to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists but won’t say if UK will follow
Watch: Trump reveals what he told Iran
06:35 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil slips, but set for biggest monthly gain in years
06:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices slipped more than 1 per cent this morning from multi-month highs, though they are set for their most substantial gains in years, as the risk premium surged due to a potential US attack on Iran that could disrupt supplies.
Brent crude futures fell 91 cents to $69.80 a barrel after rising 3.4 per cent to close at its highest point since 31 July yesterday.
The March contract expires later today. The more active April contract slid $1.07 to $68.52.
US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $1.06 to $64.36 a barrel after gaining 3.4 per cent to settle at its highest level since 26 September in the previous session.
What could happen if Trump strikes Iran?
06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump has renewed his threat of military action against Iran, urging the Islamic Republic to make a ‘deal’ or face the consequences with a “massive armada” already en route to the region.
The US president said on Wednesday that time was running out for Tehran to avoid a repeat of last summer’s strikes against the country’s nuclear facilities, warning this time would be “far worse”.
The U.S. has been seeking a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear programme even after claiming to have totally destroyed it in a bombing campaign last June. However, officials fear the programme was not destroyed and that the regime has been reconstituted.
Regime change, all-out war or a nuclear deal: What will happen if Trump strikes Iran?
Iranian minister to hold talks in Turkey today
05:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, will travel to Ankara today for talks to prevent a US attack, according to reports.
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has floated the idea of a video call between Donald Trump and Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
The two countries have not held formal direct talks for a decade.
Araghchi’s visit comes amid a flurry of urgent diplomacy and escalating threats from both sides over Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions - an allegation Tehran has denied.
US officials say Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided whether to strike Iran. US-Iranian tensions have soared in recent weeks after a bloody crackdown on protests across Iran by its clerical authorities.
Death toll in Iran at 6,470 - report
05:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that the violence in Iran has killed at least 6,479 people in recent weeks, with many more feared dead.
Its count included at least 6,092 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 118 children and 55 civilians who were not demonstrating. More than 47,200 have been arrested, it added.
The group verifies each death and arrest with a network of activists on the ground, and it has been accurate in multiple rounds of previous unrest in Iran.
As of 21 January, Iran's government put the death toll at a far lower 3,117, saying 2,427 were civilians and security forces and labeling the rest "terrorists".
In the past, Iran's theocracy has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.
That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 revolution.
Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran wave Iranian flags
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Tories urge UK government to ban Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Tories have called on ministers to take action against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following a government commitment to introduce laws allowing for state-backed groups to be banned.
Foreign Secretary and former home secretary Yvette Cooper announced last May that powers would be created to proscribe such organisations if they are deemed to pose a threat to Britain after recommendations by terror watchdog Jonathan Hall KC.
Yesterday, the European Union added the IRGC to its list of designated organisations in response to Tehran's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in recent weeks.
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the brutality of the Iranian regime was an "affront to humanity" as she renewed calls for a UK ban following the move.
The Tory frontbencher said: "The Labour government's silence on the IRGC is appalling. We have said that we would work with them to bring forward the legal and legislative mechanisms for the UK to take action."
Britain must stand up for the Iranian people and confront this vile regime with strength and resolve."
Iran says EU deeming Revolutionary Guard terror organisation a 'symbolic act
04:20 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar'Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the designation as a "PR stunt" and said Europe would be affected if energy prices surge as a result of the sanctions.
"Several countries are presently attempting to avert the eruption of all-out war in our region. None of them are European," he wrote on X.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said foreign ministers in the 27-nation bloc unanimously agreed on the designation, which she said will put the regime "on the same footing" with al-Qaida, Hamas and the Islamic State group.
Iran issued a warning to ships at sea yesterday that it planned to run a drill next week that would include live firing in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially disrupting traffic through a waterway that sees 20% of all the world's oil pass through it.
Watch: Rubio Says Iranian Regime 'Weaker Than Ever' And Predicts Future Protests
04:00 , Harriette BoucherTrump says he plans to talk to Iran
03:22 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS president Donald Trump said he planned to speak with Iran, even as the US dispatched another warship to the Middle East and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.
Speaking to reporters, Trump did not elaborate on the nature or timing of any dialogue or say who from Washington would lead the negotiations.
"I am planning on it, yeah," Trump said when asked about possible discussions with Tehran.
"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."
US officials say Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided whether to strike Iran. US-Iranian tensions have soared in recent weeks after a bloody crackdown on protests across Iran by its clerical authorities.
Iranian senior officials and family no longer welcome in US
03:00 , Harriette BoucherUS secretary of state Marco Rubio has decided to “revoke the privilege of Iranian senior officials and their family members to be in the United States”, the department of state has announced.
“Those who profit from the Iranian regime's brutal oppression are not welcome to benefit from our immigration system,” it said.
It follows an announcement from the department of homeland security on Monday that it had deported three Iranians who it said were all former IRGC members.
More than 6,000 deaths confirmed in Iran while 17,000 still under investigation
02:04 , Harriette BoucherThe total number of confirmed deaths in the recent protests in Iran has reached 6,221, while 42,324 arrests have been made.
According to the latest data from US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 5,858 of those confirmed dead were protestors, 100 were children, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 49 were non-protester civilians.
The number of severely injured individuals stands at 11,017 and another 11,026 people have been summoned to security institutions.
The group has reported that 17,091 deaths are still under investigation.
Iranian foreign ministry condemns EU move to label IRGC a terror group
01:00 , Harriette BoucherIran’s foreign ministry has denounced the EU’s decision to blacklist Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organisation, saying the move was both “illegal” and “political”.
The ministry also said that designating a county’s official military institution as a “terrorist” organisation was a dangerous move.
According to Al Jazeera, the statement said: “The IRGC is a formal and lawful institution which, under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, plays a fundamental role in safeguarding national sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity, and in combating terrorism.”
How Iran's Revolutionary Guard became a powerful force within the country's theocracy
00:01 , Harriette BoucherIran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has grown into a powerful force within the country's theocracy, answering only to its supreme leader and overseeing its ballistic missile arsenal and launching attacks overseas.
The force was in the spotlight on Thursday as the European Union moved to declare it a terrorist organization over its part in the bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran earlier this month.
Here's what to know about the Guard:
How Iran's Revolutionary Guard became a powerful force within the country's theocracy
Iran would try to avoid all out war - but risks miscalculation, says analyst
Thursday 29 January 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherAndreas Krieg, associate Professor in security studies at King's College London, tells The Independent that Iran would likely want to avoid an “all-out” exchange if the US attacks.
The main risk would be miscalculation, he says.
“If the US attacks, Iran’s most likely retaliation is asymmetric and calibrated rather than an immediate all-out exchange,” he said.
“It can target US interests and partners through deniable channels, pressure shipping and energy routes, and use cyber operations.
“It will try to avoid an escalatory cycle that forces Israel into a sustained campaign, because that risks widening the conflict beyond Tehran’s control.”
“The central danger is miscalculation. Coercive signalling can quickly become a war neither side claims to want.”
Iranian senior officials and family no longer welcome in US
Thursday 29 January 2026 22:31 , Harriette BoucherUS secretary of state Marco Rubio has decided to “revoke the privilege of Iranian senior officials and their family members to be in the United States”, the department of state has announced.
“Those who profit from the Iranian regime's brutal oppression are not welcome to benefit from our immigration system,” it said.
It follows an announcement from the department of homeland security on Monday that it had deported three Iranians who it said were all former IRGC members.
Watch: Trump says he 'hopes they make a deal' as 'armada' sails to Iran
Thursday 29 January 2026 22:04 , Harriette BoucherIran says Europe is 'fanning the flames of war' in scathing criticism
Thursday 29 January 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister took aim at European leaders in a scathing post on social media after the EU unveiled fresh sanctions on officials and proscribed the IRGC.
“Several countries are presently attempting to avert the eruption of all-out war in our region. None of them are European,” Abbas Araghchi wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.
“Europe is instead busy fanning the flames. After pursuing 'snapback' at the behest of the U.S., it is now making another major strategic mistake by designating our National Military as a supposed "terrorist organization".”
Araghchi criticised Europe over what he called the “blatant hypocrisy of its selective outrage”, “taking zero action” over Israel’s conduct in Gaza while “rushing to ‘defend human rights’ in Iran”.
Thousands of people are estimated to have died in the regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters this month.
“Moreover, as the continent is certain to be massively impacted by an all-out war in our region—including the knock-on effects of surging energy prices—the EU's current posture is deeply damaging to its own interests. Europeans deserve better than what their governments have to offer,” he said.
Iranian foreign ministry condemns EU move to label IRGC a terror group
Thursday 29 January 2026 20:21 , Harriette BoucherIran’s foreign ministry has denounced the EU’s decision to blacklist Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organisation, saying the move was both “illegal” and “political”.
The ministry also said that designating a county’s official military institution as a “terrorist” organisation was a dangerous move.
According to Al Jazeera, the statement said: “The IRGC is a formal and lawful institution which, under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, plays a fundamental role in safeguarding national sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity, and in combating terrorism.”
Woman on frontlines of Tehran protests shares rare testimony
Thursday 29 January 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsA woman in Tehran told NewsNation that she saw a young man shot in the head in front of her during the demonstrations earlier this month.
“A very young boy, looked to be about 20 years old was next to me,” she told the American network.
“He was shot in the head from a close distance and fell right there. I was scared. I couldn’t see anything. I was just running, I didn’t even know which direction I was moving. As I was moving and running, I felt from behind that my body was burning; I didn’t realise what happened. I hadn’t been shot, but from the waist down, I had been hit by about 150 pellets.”
She went on to say, “The only thing I know is that we, empty-handed, alone, without weapons, cannot achieve anything. We need military help, we need American military help. I am sad, I am angry, but I am hopeful; I hope that this system, this bloodthirsty regime will be overthrown.”
Comment: Is Iran heading for its ‘Venezuela moment’?
Thursday 29 January 2026 19:00 , James Reynolds
US defence department ready to deliver 'whatever the president expects'
Thursday 29 January 2026 18:40 , Harriette BoucherUS secretary of defence Pete Hegseth has said that the department of defence was ready to deliver whatever Donald Trump wanted.
Speaking from a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Mr Hegseth said that Iran had the option to make a deal and did not need to pursue nuclear capability.
“We will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the war department,” he said.
Iran would try to avoid all out war - but risks miscalculation, says analyst
Thursday 29 January 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsAndreas Krieg, associate Professor in security studies at King's College London, tells The Independent that Iran would likely want to avoid an “all-out” exchange if the US attacks.
The main risk would be miscalculation, he says.
“If the US attacks, Iran’s most likely retaliation is asymmetric and calibrated rather than an immediate all-out exchange,” he said.
“It can target US interests and partners through deniable channels, pressure shipping and energy routes, and use cyber operations.
“It will try to avoid an escalatory cycle that forces Israel into a sustained campaign, because that risks widening the conflict beyond Tehran’s control.”
“The central danger is miscalculation. Coercive signalling can quickly become a war neither side claims to want.”
Israel has fought for years for IRGC to be designated a terrorist organisation, says foreign minister
Thursday 29 January 2026 17:55 , Harriette BoucherIsrael’s foreign minister has applauded the EU’s decision to blacklist Iran’s IRGC as a “terrorist organisation”, a move he says Israel has worked for years to achieve.
Iran says Europe is 'fanning the flames of war' in scathing criticism
Thursday 29 January 2026 16:05 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister took aim at European leaders in a scathing post on social media after the EU unveiled fresh sanctions on officials and proscribed the IRGC.
“Several countries are presently attempting to avert the eruption of all-out war in our region. None of them are European,” Abbas Araghchi wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.
“Europe is instead busy fanning the flames. After pursuing 'snapback' at the behest of the U.S., it is now making another major strategic mistake by designating our National Military as a supposed "terrorist organization".”
Araghchi criticised Europe over what he called the “blatant hypocrisy of its selective outrage”, “taking zero action” over Israel’s conduct in Gaza while “rushing to ‘defend human rights’ in Iran”.
Thousands of people are estimated to have died in the regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters this month.
“Moreover, as the continent is certain to be massively impacted by an all-out war in our region—including the knock-on effects of surging energy prices—the EU's current posture is deeply damaging to its own interests. Europeans deserve better than what their governments have to offer,” he said.
No 10 welcomes EU plan to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists – but won’t say if UK will do the same
Thursday 29 January 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsDowning Street has welcomed new EU sanctions on Iran, which include plans to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation – despite the UK not moving to proscribe the group.
The bloc adopted new sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in the violent crackdown and is now poised to include the IRGC – the military group loyal to the Iranian regime – on its list of terrorist organisations.
Read the full story:
No 10 backs EU plan to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists but won’t say if UK will follow
EU unveils fresh sanctions on Iranian officials
Thursday 29 January 2026 15:30 , James ReynoldsThe EU today unveiled fresh sanctions on Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi Azad, as well as Iman Afshari, a presiding judge.
"They were all involved in the violent repression of peaceful protests and the arbitrary arrest of political activists and human rights defenders," the Council said in a statement.
Regime change, all-out war or a nuclear deal: What could happen if Trump strikes Iran?
Thursday 29 January 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump has renewed his threat of military action against Iran, urging the Islamic Republic to make a ‘deal’ or face the consequences with a “massive armada” already en route to the region.
The Independent looks at what is likely to happen next in Iran:
Regime change, all-out war or a nuclear deal: What will happen if Trump strikes Iran?
Russia ready to evacuate nuclear plant in Iran
Thursday 29 January 2026 14:30 , James ReynoldsRussia is ready to evacuate its staff from Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant if necessary, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation said today.
"We sincerely hope that the parties to the conflict will uphold their commitments regarding the inviolability of this territory (Bushehr),” Alexei Likhachev was quoted in TASS as saying.
"But, as they say, we are keeping our finger on the pulse and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, we will be ready to carry out evacuation measures if necessary."
Russia 'monitoring' situation, warns US against strikes
Thursday 29 January 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsVladimir Putin on Thursday told his UAE counterpart Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that Russia was closely monitoring the situation in Iran and wanted to discuss it.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said meanwhile that any use of force against Tehran could create "chaos" in the region and lead to dangerous consequences.
Iran would try to avoid all out war - but risks miscalculation, says analyst
Thursday 29 January 2026 13:30 , James ReynoldsAndreas Krieg, associate Professor in security studies at King's College London, tells The Independent that Iran would likely want to avoid an “all-out” exchange if the US attacks.
The main risk would be miscalculation, he says.
“If the US attacks, Iran’s most likely retaliation is asymmetric and calibrated rather than an immediate all-out exchange,” he said.
“It can target US interests and partners through deniable channels, pressure shipping and energy routes, and use cyber operations.
“It will try to avoid an escalatory cycle that forces Israel into a sustained campaign, because that risks widening the conflict beyond Tehran’s control.”
“The central danger is miscalculation. Coercive signalling can quickly become a war neither side claims to want.”
In pictures: On board the flightdeck of the USS Abraham Lincoln
Thursday 29 January 2026 13:00 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump 'weighing strikes on Iranian leaders to inspire protesters'
Thursday 29 January 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsSources close to the talks around Iran say that Donald Trump is weighing options that include targeted strikes on Iran’s security forces and leaders to inspire protesters to rise up and topple the government.
Two American sources familiar with discussions told Reuters that the president wants to create conditions for "regime change" after Iran shut down the anti-government protests earlier this month.
But Arab, Israeli and Western officials monitoring believed strikes would not be enough to shake the regime. Some said they could risk undermining the movement.
“If you're going to topple the regime, you have to put boots on the ground,” a senior Israeli official said, noting that even if the United States killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran would "have a new leader that will replace him."
US attack could 'trigger volcano', warns Hezbollah
Thursday 29 January 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsA senior Hezbollah official suggested that a US strike on Iran “could trigger a volcano in the region” as Washington weighs options.
Nawaf al Moussawi, Head of the Borders and Resources file in Hezbollah, said on Wednesday evening: “What holds the United States back is its inability to predict the aftermath of the strike.”
Iran’s Mazandaran province is home to the 5,609m strato-volcano, the highest in Asia.
Moussawi suggested that Donald Trump was looking to cut a deal with Iran or displace the regime.
He stopped short of saying how Iran proxy Hezbollah might respond if Trump follows through with his threats of military action.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said.
