News Beat
Iran protests latest: Trump warns Tehran killing will have ‘grave consequences’ as 800 executions halted
In pictures: Iranians residing in Armenia hold a demonstration in solidarity with protestors
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 22:00
‘All options on table to stop slaughter in Iran’ says US ambassador to UN
The United States stands by the “brave people of Iran” and president Donald Trump “has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the UN Security Council on Thursday.
It comes after White House press secretary said that Trump had warned Tehran that any further killing would have “grave consequences”.
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 21:32
How Iran’s internet blackout is affecting your social media feed
How Iran’s internet blackout is affecting your social media feed
Iran’s internet blackout is impacting news algorithms and our social media feeds, an internet watchdog has warned. In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Alp Toker, founder of NetBlocks explains how the internet shutdown in Iran is not just causing local disruption. “Algorithms on social media platforms and other online areas are really designed to work when there’s a free flow of information. When there is a void or an information vacuum from a certain area, the algorithm still has to satisfy its constraints”, Toker says. “That content is no longer what the user actually expected or wanted. It’s now less relevant information, potentially even misleading or disinformation or misinformation that’s going from irrelevant sources or those trying to alter the narrative.” “This applies to all platforms. News gathering platforms and some news sites even use similar algorithms to keep their engagement high,” he added.
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 21:00
Watch: Exiled Iranian Crown Prince says protest death toll could more than 12,000
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 20:30
Four Arab states urged against US-Iran escalation, official says
Four Arab states conducted intense diplomacy with the United States and Iran this week to prevent a threatened U.S. attack on Iran over Tehran’s use of force against protesters that they feared would have impacts across the region, a Gulf official said.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt were involved in the diplomacy over 48 hours before US president Donald Trump signalled on Thursday that he had ultimately decided against an attack for now, saying the killings in Iran were easing.
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 20:00
IFRC warns safety of humanitarian workers need protecting as one worker dies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has shared a tribute after staff member Amir Ali Latifi was killed and five other workers were wounded in the line of duty in Gillan province on Saturday.
A statement reads: “The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues.
“We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all medical and humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance during this difficult time. Humanitarian workers must be protected.
“The Iranian Red Crescent Society is a humanitarian organization and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, operating in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality and Independence.
“The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.
“The IFRC is deeply concerned about the consequences of the ongoing unrest on the people of Iran and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.”
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 19:30
In pictures: Photos come out of Tehran as country remains in Internet blackout
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 19:00
Trump warns Iran that any further killing will have ‘grave consequences’
Donald Trump has warned Tehran’s leadership that any further killing will have “grave consequences” as he continues to “closely monitor” the situation on the ground in Iran.
The US president has refused to rule out strikes on Iran, although he paused his threat of imminent strikes on Wednesday as Iran promised it would relent on its brutal crackdown of protests following more than two weeks of bitter nationwide unrest.
The White House said that so far 800 executions had been halted in what appeared to be a de-escalation in Iran.
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 18:52
Recap: Sanctions imposed on Iranian officials and prison
The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials it accused of being behind the crackdown on protests and said it was tracking Iranian leaders’ funds being wired to international banks, as President Donald Trump keeps the pressure on Tehran.
The US treasury department in a statement said it imposed sanctions on the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security as well as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement forces commanders, accusing them of being architects of the crackdown.
The US also imposed sanctions on Fardis Prison, where the State Department said women had “endured cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a video on Thursday said Washington’s message to Iran’s leaders was clear: “US Treasury knows, that like rats on a sinking ship, you are frantically wiring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world. Rest assured, we will track them and you.”
“But there’s still time, if you choose to join us. As President Trump has said, stop the violence and stand with the people of Iran.”
Bryony Gooch15 January 2026 18:30
