“USS Abraham Lincoln carrier not yet in CENTCOM amid Iran drone threat warnings – report,” I-24, 1-26-26. What will happen here, finally, is that when swarming is suspected, those small cigar ships will be blown out of the water pre-emptively. They will have already had a warning to stay away. Under these conditions, Iran has gone past the swarming circle of acceptability, here they are a danger and have gone on too long. But here’s the update later on 1-26, “U.S. Carrier Lincoln Arrives in Middle East Amid Iran Tensions,” WSJ, 1-26-26. For some reason, it really does feel like the Supreme Leader’s time has come.
Notice what Amnesty says, “January 2026 marks the deadliest period of repression by the Iranian authorities in decades of Amnesty’s research. Impunity for the repeated commission of crimes under international law committed by the Iranian authorities during previous protest crackdowns has fuelled [sic.] this latest round of violence.” Amnesty International itself implicitly blames a lack of force in response as empowering the Regime in past crackdowns. See “What happened at the protests in Iran?,” Amnesty International, 1-26-26.
Iran International carries this story, “After the crackdown: is there a way back for Iran’s rulers?”, and it does not appear so. 1-26-26. A “breakdown in political legitimacy, elite cohesion, and state capacity” seems to be the situation now.
Another billboard paid for with funds that could help everyday Iranians. “Iranian authorities unveil new billboard in Tehran warning US against taking military action,” Euronews, 1-26-26.
“Iran detaining protesters being treated in hospitals as part of crackdown, says UN expert,” Retuers, 1-26-26.
“Iran’s shadow fleet is fueling the Myanmar junta’s air war,” AP, 1-26-26. Incredible reporting. “Iran has secretly shipped vast amounts of jet fuel to Myanmar’s military. As the junta ramps up bombing raids against civilian targets, Iran is now the military’s primary supplier of jet fuel and urea, which is an ingredient in Myanmar’s munitions. The deliveries violate Western sanctions on both countries.”
“Iran’s biggest centres of protest are also experiencing extreme pollution and water shortages,” The Conversation, 1-26-26.
“Iran regime reportedly issued nationwide shoot-to-kill orders as protest death toll surges,” Fox, 1-26-26.
“US weighs ‘precision strikes’ on Iranian officials as military build-up surges, sources say,” MEE, 1-26-26.
“After mass killings, bodies of Iran’s slain leveraged to quash dissent,” Iran International, 1-26-26.
“Hizbullah, Iran’s most powerful proxy, has been humbled,” Economist, 1-26-26.
“Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen threaten new attacks as US aircraft carrier arrives,” AP, 1-26-26.
“New Iran videos show bodies piled in hospital and snipers on roofs,” BBC, 1-26-26.