A bloody crackdown killed at least 2,637 people, activists say.
challenging Iran’s theocracy appeared increasingly smothered Thursday, a week after authorities shut the country off from the world and escalated a bloody crackdown that activists say has killed at least 2,637 people.
Trump is meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader after cozying up to Maduro’s successorWhat’s next for Greenland and Denmark after difficult meeting with Trump administrationover the country’s faltering economy and the collapse of its currency. The Group of Seven industrialized democracies and the European Union said they too were looking at new sanctions to ratchet up the pressure on Iran’s theocratic government. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting on Iran for Thursday afternoon at the request of the United States. In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses said recent mornings showed no new signs of bonfires lit the night before or debris in the streets. The sound of gunfire, which had been intense for several nights, has also faded.People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. A man looks at books which are placed for sale on a sidewalk in downtown Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Iranian state media has announced wave after wave of arrests by authorities, targeting those it calls “terrorists” while also apparently looking for“Since Jan. 8, we saw a full-fledged war, and anybody who was in the gathering since then is a criminal,” said Justice Minister Amin Hossein Rahimi, according to a report Wednesday from the judiciary’s Mizan news agency. Iranian state media broadcast a roster of damage from what it called a “terrorist operation,” including damage to hundreds of stores and public buildings, scores of cars and ambulances and several “heritage sites.” including mosques and shrines. China’s foreign ministry said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Chinese counterpart that the situation in the country was now stable. But as Iran tries to assert control at home, it has signaled worries about threats from abroad, including the United States, which hasover the killing of peaceful demonstrators. Tensions soared after Trump’s comment Tuesday that “help is on its way” to Iranian protesters. The Islamic Republic shut down its airspace for hours early Thursday without explanation, something it has done in previous rounds of attacks between it and Israel, as well as during the 12-day war in June. The U.S. also took steps to move some personnel fromwhile warning diplomats in Kuwait to stay away from military bases where American troops are stationed. Britain closed its Tehran embassy and withdrew British staff from Iran.The airspace closure lasted for over four hours, according to pilot guidance issued by Iran, which lies on a key east-west flight route. International carriers diverted north and south around Iran, but after one extension, the closure appeared to have expired, and several domestic flights were in the air just after 7 a.m. Even before the closure, several international airlines had reduced or suspended services to Iran, “and most carriers are avoiding Iranian airspace,” said the website SafeAirspace, which provides information on conflict areas and air travel. “The situation may signal further security or military activity, including the risk of missile launches or heightened air defense, increasing the risk of misidentification of civil traffic.”Iran protests spark reaction abroad Videos of demonstrations have stopped coming out of Iran, likely signaling the slowdown of their pace under the heavy security force presence in major cities. In the meantime, protests against Iran have been held around the world as global attention has focused on the crackdown. Trump made a series of statements that left unclear what action, if any, the U.S. would take. In comments to reporters Wednesday, Trump said he had been told that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, without providing many details. On Thursday he hailed as “good news” reports that a protester’s death sentence had been lifted. Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, also sought to tone down the rhetoric, urging the U.S. to find a solution through negotiation. Asked by Fox News what he would say to Trump, Araghchi said: “My message is: Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don’t have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war.” Activists warned that hangings of detainees could come soon, though Araghchi said “there is no plan for hanging.”Among those hit with U.S. sanctions Thursday was the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, whom the Treasury Department accuses of being one of the first officials to call for violence against protesters. The Group of Seven, of which the U.S. is a member, also warned they could impose more sanctions if Iran’s crackdown continues. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc was looking at strengthening sanctions “to push forward that this regime comes to an end and that there is change.” The clampdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,637, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The figure reported Thursday is an increase of 22 from the figure a day earlier, and the organization says the number will likely continue to climb.exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country’s The U.S.-based agency, founded 20 years ago, has been accurate throughout multiple years of demonstrations, relying on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities. With communications greatly limited in Iran, the AP has been unable to independently confirm the group’s toll. The government of Iran has not provided casualty figures.Court upholds verdict for former news anchor Sandra Maas in KUSI’s appeal of equal pay lawsuitMacy’s closing its longest-operating store in San Diego CountySimple metric shows San Diego has worst fiscal health of any city in county San Diego convention center’s roof and central plant are failing. New hotel tax hike comes to the rescue.Keeping experienced staff, or ‘double-dipping?’ San Diego County OKs controversial DROP pension plan
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Drake Baldwin First Braves Player to Crack 2026 Top 100 MLB Players ListThe Atlanta Braves catcher is coming off a Rookie of the Year-winning campaign that's earned him a spot among the top players in the game
Read more »
FBI searches Washington Post reporter’s home in classified documents caseWhile classified documents investigations aren’t unusual, the search of a reporter’s home marks an escalation in the government’s efforts to crack down on leaks.
Read more »
FBI searches a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of a classified documents investigationWhile classified documents investigations aren’t unusual, the search of a reporter’s home marks an escalation in the government’s efforts to crack down on leaks.
Read more »
Filmmaker who helped crack gay porn actor's gruesome Hollywood killing wins SXSW premiereA Los Angeles filmmaker who helped crack a gay porn actor's gruesome Hollywood cold case murder has since made a film about it, which has been selected to premiere at SXSW in March.
Read more »
Police using drones to crack down on reckless e-bike riders in GilbertGilbert Police are deploying drones to track and disperse groups of reckless e-bike riders—primarily teenagers—without the risks associated with high-speed ground pursuits.
Read more »
Elon Musk’s X Says It Will (Sort of) Crack Down on Grok’s Sexual Deepfake ProblemThe company claims it’s adding new technical and geo-based restrictions to its Grok's image editing capabilties.
Read more »