“Iran’s president warns US attack on supreme leader would mean ‘full-scale war’,” Times of Israel, 1-19-26. “A Sunday Times report, based on information from doctors in Iran, said more than 16,500 people were killed and more than 330,000 injured during the unrest. An Iranian official said authorities had verified at least 5,000 people had been killed in protests, including about 500 security personnel. … The first high-level meeting on a potential military response was chaired by US Vice President JD Vance on January 9, reported Axios. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted top Trump envoy Steve Witkoff that same weekend to open a de-escalation channel. Trump chaired his first meeting on the protests on January 13, and was presented with several options for strikes, including from US naval ships and submarines. According to Axios, Trump chose his favorite option and ordered preparations to be completed. According to a US official, a strike plan was ready that day but not approved.”
“Can the US end the communication blackout in Iran?,” ABC, 1-19-26. “Activists are lobbying for direct-to-cell service in Iran.”
“Hackers target Iran state TV satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince,” AP 1-19-26.
“Iran Mulls Return Of Internet As Extent Of Deadly Crackdown Slowly Leaks Out,” RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, 1-19-26.
“Why mass protest alone has not toppled Iran’s rulers,” Iran International, 1-19-26
An important piece. Let’s shut down the financial lifeline. “In a report last October, the Treasury Department gave an address for the problem, stating that “companies based in the U.A.E. (99 percent of which were located in the Emirate of Dubai) transacted the highest volume of [Iran’s] potential shadow banking funds . . . and received more funds than any other jurisdiction.” This system keeps the Iranian regime alive with Dubai serving as its economic lung. … How much money is involved? United Against Nuclear Iran, the leading tracker of Iranian oil exports, estimates that Iran sold 609 million barrels of oil to China in 2025. At $50 a barrel (a conservative estimate), those sales would have generated $30.45 billion. Iran’s shadow banking system has been operating in its current form since 2019, when the first Trump administration designated Iran’s central bank as a terrorist entity, forcing Iran to externalize its financial operations. It’s how the Islamic Republic survives sanctions, pays its security services, and underwrites the lavish lifestyle of its elite while ordinary Iranians absorb the cost of economic collapse.” See “Hit Iran in Its Shadow Bank Accounts,” WSJ, 1-19-26.
“After Iran’s massacres, tensions grow inside the regime,” Economist, 1-19-26.
“Iran protests stretch into fourth week as blackout, security pressure persist,” Iran International, 1-19-26.
“Analysts warn that the Iran crisis carries potential nuclear risks. Here’s what to know,” PBS, 1-19-26.
This story is wrong on so many levels. “Iran gives “young people who became unwittingly involved” in protests 3 days to surrender, for “leniency”,” CBS, 1-19-26. Where are the protesters and critics in the U.S. who have complained about various issues? They need to decry these truly serious events in Iran.
“UN representative says Iran’s death toll is rising and there could be investigations into ‘crimes against humanity’,” ABC, 1-19-26.
“Videos Emerge Showing Brutal Tactics Of Iranian Security Forces,” RFE/RL, 1-19-26.
“Killed, blinded, stranded: dispatches from Iran’s bloody crackdown,” Iran International, 1-19-26.
“Iran’s Spiritual Revolution,” Times of Israel, 1-19-26.