Iran was rocked by two explosions on Saturday as officials rushed to deny that an assassination attempt had taken place.
Four people were killed in a gas explosion at a residential building in Ahvaz, in the west of the country, according to the state-run Tehran Times. It was unclear what had caused the blast.
One person was killed and 14 were injured as a second detonation shook the southern port of Bandar Abbas.
Initial reports claiming the Revolutionary Guard navy commander was targeted in the explosion were "completely false", the semi-official Tasnim news agency said.
Two unnamed Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel was not involved in either blast, at a time of heightened tension between Iran, the US and Israel.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier on Saturday that Israel, the US and European leaders had incited recent unrest in Iran and provided people with the means to "tear the nation apart”.
Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi nonetheless said Iran was open to talks with the US, provided they were “fair and equitable”, after Donald Trump told them to make a deal or face the consequences, as he moved a “massive armada” to the region.
Read MoreWhy Iran is the wrong war for Trump to back
What is Iran’s Revolutionary Guard? The force labelled a ‘terrorist group’ by the EU
Regime change, all-out war or a nuclear deal: What could happen if Trump strikes Iran?
Is Iran heading for its ‘Venezuela moment’?
Key Points
- Four killed in gas explosion in western Iran: state media
- Explosion reported at Iranian port
- US warns Iran as Tehran announces naval exercise in Strait of Hormuz
- Iran open for talks with US but they must be 'fair and equitable', says foreign minister
In pictures: Damage after an explosion in a building in Bandar Abbas
14:30 , James Reynolds Four killed in gas explosion in western Iran: state media
14:01 , James ReynoldsFour people were killed in a gas explosion at a residential building in Ahvaz, in the west of the country, according to the state-run Tehran Times.
It was unclear what had caused the blast.
Two Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel was not involved in the blast at Ahvaz or the one at Bandar Abbas.
US, European and Israeli leaders 'exploited' Iran and incited unrest, says Pezeshkian
13:00 , James ReynoldsIranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that US, Israeli and European leaders had exploited Iran's economic problems, incited unrest and provided people with the means to "tear the nation apart” in recent protests.
Foreign leaders tried to "provoke, create division, and supplied resources, drawing some innocent people into this movement," Pezeshkian said in a live state TV broadcast.
Trump, Netanyahu and Europeans "rode on our problems, provoked, and were seeking — and still seek — to fragment society,” he said.
"They brought them into the streets and wanted, as they said, to tear this country apart, to sow conflict and hatred among the people and create division," Pezeshkian said.
Breaking: Explosion reported at Iranian port
12:37 , James ReynoldsAn explosion occurred at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, Iranian media reported, without giving a cause for the blast.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency said that social media reports alleging that a Revolutionary Guard navy commander was targeted in the explosion were "completely false".
Iranian media said the blast was being investigated but gave no further information. Iranian authorities could not immediately be contacted for comment.
The port of Bandar Abbas lies on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway between Iran and Oman which handles about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil.
Video: Trump hints deadline privately given to Iran
08:30 , Vishwam SankaranUS approves massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Israel amid rising tensions with Iran
08:00 , Vishwam SankaranThe Trump administration approved the $9bn sale of Patriot defence missiles to Saudi Arabia and another series of weapons sales totalling $6.67bn to Israel yesterday amid escalating tensions with Iran.
The Saudi kingdom plans to buy 730 Patriot missiles from Washington, according to the US state department.
The sale to Israel includes 30 Apache attack helicopters equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, the state department said.
American allies in Middle East call for restraint on both sides
07:30 , Vishwam SankaranUS allies in the Middle East are reportedly urging both Tehran and Washington to exercise restraint as president Donald Trump announced the buildup of naval assets closer to Iran.
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman and Qatar are all making the case with both the US and Iran that escalation by either side could destabilise the entire region, ABC News reported citing an Arab diplomat familiar with the matter.
Saudi Arabia's defence minister Khalid bin Salman posted on X that he discussed “efforts to advance regional and global peace and stability” yesterday.
That came after Trump threatened impending US military action against Iran, stating that his "armada" in the Gulf was "even larger than what we had in Venezuela".
“Hopefully we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens," the American president said.
US warns Iran as Tehran announces naval exercise in Strait of Hormuz
06:47 , Vishwam SankaranThe US warned Iran that it “will not tolerate unsafe” actions in the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran announced a two-day live-fire naval exercise there.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) urged the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to conduct its naval exercise "in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic".
"Any unsafe and unprofessional behaviour near US forces, regional partners or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation, and destabilisation," CENTCOM said in a statement.
"We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions, including overflight of US military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflight of US military assets when intentions are unclear, high-speed boat approaches on a collision course with US military vessels, or weapons trained at US forces," it said.
Iranian president accuses Trump, Europe and Israel of 'provoking' protests
06:13 , Adam WithnallIranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said says Donald Trump, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Europe as a whole are responsible for stirring tensions in the recent protests that gripped the country and "provoked" people to take to the streets.
Iran’s protests began last year as a response to soaring inflation, with people struggling to make ends meet as the Iranian currency crashed.
Earlier Pezeshkian was quoted by state media as saying Iran welcomed dialogue and did not seek war with the US, but would respond immediately to “any aggression”.
US approves arms sales worth over $15bn to Middle East allies
04:14 , Adam WithnallThe Trump administration has approved a massive new series of arms sales to Israel totalling $6.67 billion and to Saudi Arabia worth $9 billion.
The State Department announced the sales to America's allies in the Middle East late Friday as tensions rise in the region over the possibility of US military strikes on Iran.
They were made public after the department notified Congress of its approval of the sales earlier Friday.
The sales also come as president Donald Trump pushes ahead with his ceasefire plan for Gaza that is intended to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and reconstruct the Palestinian territory after two years of war left it devastated, with tens of thousands dead.
While the ceasefire has largely held, big challenges await in its next phases, including the deployment of an international security force to supervise the deal and the difficult process of disarming Hamas.
How powerful are Iran's Revolutionary Guards?
03:00 , Alex CroftAs we reported earlier, the EU has agreed to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, which she said will put the regime "on the same footing" with al-Qaida, Hamas and the Islamic State group.
The group is often touted as one of the most powerful forces in the Middle East - but how powerful are they really?
Unlike the ordinary military, which comes under the Defence Ministry in the elected government, the IRGC answers directly to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Formed soon after the revolution, the IRGC's role defending the Islamic system greatly expanded during the 1980-88 war with Iraq and it is now the strongest and best-equipped section of Iran's armed forces.
Over the decades, the Guards have extended their influence through the worlds of politics and business, gaining in power at home and abroad.
Members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) giving a military salute during a military parade in Tehran
The Quds Force, an elite Guards unit, has spearheaded Iran's regional strategy of supporting affiliated Shi'ite groups across the Middle East, most notably in Lebanon and Iraq. That strategy was hard-hit by the U.S. assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a 2020 air strike in Iraq, and by Israel's pummelling of Lebanon's Hezbollah in a 2024 war.
The Basij militia, a part-time paramilitary force under Guards control, is often used to quell protests inside Iran.
Since the early 2000s, the Guards' economic power has grown as its contracting company Khatam al-Anbiya won projects worth billions of dollars in Iran's oil and gas sector.
Omid Djalili: Iranians will fight to the end against this brutal regime
01:29 , Alex CroftIran would try to avoid all out war - but risks miscalculation, says analyst
00:29 , Alex CroftOur senior foreign reporter James Reynolds reports:
Andreas 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.”
Turkey ready to mediate between Iran and the US, says presidency
Friday 30 January 2026 23:32 , Alex CroftTurkish president Tayyip Erdogan told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in a call on Friday that Turkey was ready to play a facilitator role between Iran and the United States to ease the tensions between the two sides.
"President Erdogan emphasised that Turkey was ready to take up a facilitator role between Iran and the United States to ease tensions and resolve issues," the presidency said in a statement on X.
It added that Erdogan would also receive Iran's foreign minister, who is visiting Turkey for talks with his Turkish counterpart.
Starmer: ‘We need to deal with Iran’
Friday 30 January 2026 22:30 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK and its allies need to “deal with” Iran amid its ongoing deadly crackdown on protesters.
On his visit to China, Sir Keir said the repression of demonstrators was “grotesque” and “that is where our focus is”.
US President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on the country in recent days, warning that time is running out to agree a deal on its nuclear programme and called for an end to the “senseless killing”.
The UK prime minister also said the UK supports “the goal” of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, but stopped short of explicitly backing US military action in the region.
“The goal or the aim here is that Iran shouldn’t be able to develop nuclear weapons and that is hugely important and, of course, we need to deal with the fact they are repressing protesters, killing protesters,” he told the BBC.
“It is grotesque what is happening so that is where our focus is and we are working with allies to that end.”
Pressed on whether Britain would support another US strike on the country, he said: “I am saying we support the goal and we are talking to allies about how we get to that goal.”
Iran open for talks with US but they must be 'fair and equitable', says foreign minister
Friday 30 January 2026 21:28 , Alex CroftEarlier, we heard from Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in a joint press conference.
Iran is prepared for the resumption of talks with the United States, but negotiations should be "fair and equitable", Mr Araghchi said.
Araghchi, who described his talks with Hakan Fidan in Istanbul as "good and useful", also said that Tehran was ready to engage with regional countries to promote stability and peace.
Mr Fidan, meanwhile, said he had spoken with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday and that he will continue speaking to US officials on Iran.
He said he hoped a solution could be found to avoid conflict and the isolation of Iran.
'I told them two things': Trump reveals what he told Iran
Friday 30 January 2026 20:31 , Alex CroftOil slips, but set for biggest monthly gain in years
Friday 30 January 2026 19:29 , Alex CroftOil 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.
US imposes further sanctions on Iranian figures
Friday 30 January 2026 18:30 , Alex CroftThe US on Friday imposed sanctions on Iranian interior minister Eskandar Momeni and a businessman it said helped launder money for Tehran, as Donald Trump's administration ramps up pressure on the Islamic Republic.
The Department of the Treasury said Momeni was responsible for a brutal security crackdown in Iran this month as he oversees law enforcement forces it said were responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful protesters.
The financial sanctions on Friday also targeted five other Iranian security officials involved in "violently repressing the Iranian people", the Treasury said in a statement.
Sanctions were also issued against investor Babak Zanjani and two digital asset exchanges registered in Britain that the Treasury said had processed funds linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said: "Like rats on a sinking ship, the regime is frantically wiring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world. Rest assured, Treasury will act.”
Analysis- Why Iran is the wrong war for Trump to back
Friday 30 January 2026 18:15 , Rebecca WhittakerTrump may be very proud of his ‘armada’ off the coast of Iran but the US president could look good, back a winner, and support his allies by leaving Tehran alone and helping Ukraine win instead, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
Read more here:
Why Iran is the wrong war for Trump to back
Houthi seizure of telecom gear threatens Yemen aid, says UN
Friday 30 January 2026 17:45 , Alex CroftYemen's Iran‑aligned Houthi paramilitary has removed critical telecommunications equipment belonging to the UN, the global body said on Friday, warning that further restrictions on its work would fuel a worsening humanitarian crisis
The Houthis, who control areas in north Yemen, entered at least six unstaffed UN offices in the capital Sanaa and took telecommunications equipment and several vehicles to an unknown location, the UN's Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Julien Harneis, said in a statement.
"This equipment is part of the minimum infrastructure needed by the United Nations to be present and to implement programmes," said Harneis.
The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen with some 21 million people needing aid.
Iran has no plans to 'meet with the Americans' but it ready for 'negotiations'
Friday 30 January 2026 17:30 , Rebecca WhittakerIran's foreign minister announced that his country is ready to resolve tensions but that there are no concrete plans for talks with the US.
Abbas Araghchi spoke in Istanbul on Friday for talks with Turkish officials. Ankara has been working to reduce tensions in the wider region following threats of a possible US military strike against Iran.
Mr Araghchi told reporters during a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that Iran has no plans to "meet with the Americans".
"We are ready for fair and equitable negotiations," he said. "For such negotiations, arrangements must first be made, both regarding the form of the talks and the location of the talks, and about the topic of the talks."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, just as it is ready for negotiations, it is also ready for war," Mr Araghchi added.
Turkey opposes a military intervention against Iran, warning such an action would lead to regional instability.
"We are against resorting to military options to solve problems, and we do not believe that this will be very effective," Mr Fidan said. "We advocate for negotiation and diplomacy."
Iran's retaliation will not be limited, military warns
Friday 30 January 2026 17:13 , Alex CroftIran’s reaction to any US action will not be limited, an Iranian military spokesperson has warned.
A decisive response, he said, would be “delivered instantly”.
Speaking to Iranian state television, brigadier general Mohammad Akraminia said US aircraft carriers have “serious vulnerabilities”.
Several US bases in the Gulf region are “within the range of our medium-range missiles”, he added according to Le Monde.
"If such a miscalculation is made by the Americans, it will certainly not unfold the way Trump imagines – carrying out a quick operation and then, two hours later, tweeting that the operation is over.”
Hegseth warns Iran against developing nuclear weapons, saying US military 'prepared to deliver'
Friday 30 January 2026 16:41 , Alex CroftIranian leadership 'buying time' after recent protests, says retired US admiral
Friday 30 January 2026 16:10 , Alex CroftA retired US admiral has argued that Iran is “buying time” following the recent protests, adding that the US will need to define its “mission objectives” clearly before any use of force.
"Iranian leadership is still just buying time after the huge recent protests, and high numbers of protesters that were killed by the regime. Khamenei and his lieutenants are more unpopular than ever,” argues professor Robert Murrett, who now works at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and as deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law.
He said the movement of US warships to the Middle East is “of some note, although there is already significant combat power in the region at this time."
Prof Murrett added: "Defining our mission objectives will be key for any use of force again Iran, that is, one which can credibly lead to meeting a strategic end state."
Pictured: Iranian foreign minister meets Turkish counterpart on Friday
Friday 30 January 2026 15:41 , Alex Croft No US talks planned, says Iranian foreign minister
Friday 30 January 2026 15:15 , Alex CroftIran is ready to participate in "fair and equitable" negotiations, Tehran’s foreign minister has said, adding that there are currently no meetings with US officials arranged.
"Iran has no problem with negotiations, but negotiations cannot take place under the shadow of threats. They must certainly set aside their threats and change their approach toward a fair and equitable negotiation, as Mr. Trump himself said in his post," said Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a press conference in Istanbul after talks with his Turkish counterpart.
"I should also state unequivocally that Iran's defensive and missile capabilities — and Iran's missiles — will never be the subject of any negotiations," he added.
"We will preserve and expand our defensive capabilities to whatever extent is necessary to defend the country.”
How powerful are Iran's Revolutionary Guards?
Friday 30 January 2026 14:50 , Alex CroftAs we reported earlier, the EU has agreed to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, which she said will put the regime "on the same footing" with al-Qaida, Hamas and the Islamic State group.
The group is often touted as one of the most powerful forces in the Middle East - but how powerful are they really?
Unlike the ordinary military, which comes under the Defence Ministry in the elected government, the IRGC answers directly to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Formed soon after the revolution, the IRGC's role defending the Islamic system greatly expanded during the 1980-88 war with Iraq and it is now the strongest and best-equipped section of Iran's armed forces.
Over the decades, the Guards have extended their influence through the worlds of politics and business, gaining in power at home and abroad.
The Quds Force, an elite Guards unit, has spearheaded Iran's regional strategy of supporting affiliated Shi'ite groups across the Middle East, most notably in Lebanon and Iraq. That strategy was hard-hit by the U.S. assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a 2020 air strike in Iraq, and by Israel's pummelling of Lebanon's Hezbollah in a 2024 war.
The Basij militia, a part-time paramilitary force under Guards control, is often used to quell protests inside Iran.
Since the early 2000s, the Guards' economic power has grown as its contracting company Khatam al-Anbiya won projects worth billions of dollars in Iran's oil and gas sector.
Starmer: ‘We need to deal with Iran’
Friday 30 January 2026 14:25 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK and its allies need to “deal with” Iran amid its ongoing deadly crackdown on protesters.
On his visit to China, Sir Keir said the repression of demonstrators was “grotesque” and “that is where our focus is”.
US President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on the country in recent days, warning that time is running out to agree a deal on its nuclear programme and called for an end to the “senseless killing”.
The UK prime minister also said the UK supports “the goal” of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, but stopped short of explicitly backing US military action in the region.
“The goal or the aim here is that Iran shouldn’t be able to develop nuclear weapons and that is hugely important and, of course, we need to deal with the fact they are repressing protesters, killing protesters,” he told the BBC.
“It is grotesque what is happening so that is where our focus is and we are working with allies to that end.”
Pressed on whether Britain would support another US strike on the country, he said: “I am saying we support the goal and we are talking to allies about how we get to that goal.”
Full report: US plane dubbed the ‘nuke sniffer’ lands in UK amid growing tensions with Iran
Friday 30 January 2026 14:03 , Alex CroftA US Air Force plane has landed at an American airbase in Britain, as tensions continue to escalate with the Iranian regime.
Dubbed the “nuke sniffer”, the USAF WC-135R Constant Phoenix jet is used to detect radioactive particles in the atmosphere and was reportedly deployed to the Middle East days before Donald Trump bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities last year.
While the reason for its latest trip to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk is unclear, defence sources told The Telegraph that its presence did not indicate that military action was imminent.
Speculation is continuing to grow that Washington is considering a strike on Iran, with the US president warning that a “massive armada” had been dispatched to the Middle East, as part of a build-up of American forces in the region.
US plane dubbed the ‘nuke sniffer’ lands in UK amid growing tensions with Iran
Oil slips, but set for biggest monthly gain in years
Friday 30 January 2026 13:39 , Alex CroftOil 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.
'I told them two things': Trump reveals what he told Iran
Friday 30 January 2026 13:15 , Alex CroftIran to designate EU armed forces as terrorists in retaliatory measure
Friday 30 January 2026 12:55 , Alex CroftIran plans to designate the armed forces of EU countries that have blacklisted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as "terrorists", according to top Iranian security official Ali Larijani on X.
It would be a direct response to the EU’s earlier announced that it had agreed to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group, a move foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said would put it "on the same footing" with al-Qaida, Hamas and the Islamic State group.
"Therefore, the consequences will fall on the European countries that undertook such an action," Larijani said.
Iran open for talks with US but they must be 'fair and equitable', says foreign minister
Friday 30 January 2026 12:53 , Alex CroftWe’ve got more lines for you from the press conference between Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
Iran is prepared for the resumption of talks with the United States, but negotiations should be "fair and equitable", Mr Araghchi said.
Araghchi, who described his talks with Hakan Fidan in Istanbul as "good and useful", also said that Tehran was ready to engage with regional countries to promote stability and peace.
Mr Fidan, meanwhile, said he had spoken with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday and that he will continue speaking to US officials on Iran.
He said he hoped a solution could be found to avoid conflict and the isolation of Iran.
Starmer: UK working with allies to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons
Friday 30 January 2026 12:30 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer said the UK was working with allies to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons after Donald Trump deployed a naval armada and warned time is running out for Tehran to do a deal.
The prime minister said: “Well, the big issue, the big challenge here, is to ensure that Iran doesn’t get a nuclear programme and we all absolutely agree on that, and we’re working with allies to that end, and that is the central focus I’m doing with our allies.”
Asked if Mr Trump’s actions were right, Sir Keir said: “We all agree that ensuring that Iran doesn’t get that nuclear programme is is the number one priority, and that’s what we’re working on.”
Where did Iran's Revolutionary Guards originate from?
Friday 30 January 2026 12:08 , Alex CroftThe Guard rose out of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution as a force meant to protect the country's Shiite cleric-overseen government and later became enshrined in its constitution. It operated parallel to Iran's regular armed forces, growing in prominence and power during a long and ruinous war with Iraq in the 1980s.
Though it faced possible disbandment after the war, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei granted it powers to expand into private enterprise, allowing the force to thrive and become a huge force in both Iran’s security and economic infrastructure.
The Guard runs a massive construction company called Khatam al-Anbia and has firms that also build roads, man ports, run telecommunication networks and even offer laser eye surgery.
US and Iran must resume nuclear talks, says Turkish foreign minister
Friday 30 January 2026 11:46 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing more from the press conference involving Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
Fidan calls on the United States and Iran to come to the negotiating table to resolve issues between them, reiterating that Ankara opposes foreign intervention in Iran.
He says that it’s critical for US-Iran talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme to restart to ease regional tensions.
Iran will respond immediately and decisively to 'any aggression', says president
Friday 30 January 2026 11:24 , Alex CroftIran will respond immediately and decisively to "any aggression", Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian told the United Arab Emirates president, Iranian state media said on Friday.
Pezeshkian added that Iran welcomed dialogue and did not seek war, according to the state media reports.
Iran would try to avoid all out war - but risks miscalculation, says analyst
Friday 30 January 2026 11:02 , 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.”
Turkey ready to mediate between Iran and the US, says presidency
Friday 30 January 2026 10:33 , Alex CroftTurkish president Tayyip Erdogan told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in a call on Friday that Turkey was ready to play a facilitator role between Iran and the United States to ease the tensions between the two sides.
"President Erdogan emphasised that Turkey was ready to take up a facilitator role between Iran and the United States to ease tensions and resolve issues," the presidency said in a statement on X.
It added that Erdogan would also receive Iran's foreign minister, who is visiting Turkey for talks with his Turkish counterpart.
No 10 welcomes EU move to label Iran’s Revolutionary Guards terrorists – but won’t say if UK will do the same
Friday 30 January 2026 10:28 , Alex CroftDowning 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 include the IRGC – the military group loyal to the Iranian regime – on its list of terrorist organisations.
“This will put them on the same footing with al-Qaeda, Hamas, Daesh [Isis],” the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist.”
Our political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
No 10 welcomes EU move to label Iran’s Revolutionary Guards terrorists
Omid Djalili: Iranians will fight to the end against this brutal regime
Friday 30 January 2026 10:10 , Alex CroftUS military destroyer docks in Israel - report
Friday 30 January 2026 10:02 , Alex CroftA US military destroyer has docked in the port of Eilat, the Israeli military said according to Ynet news website, as tensions between Washington and Iran heighten.
The news website said the destroyer's arrival at the southern port, on the Gulf of Aqaba and near Israel's southern border crossings with Egypt and Jordan, was pre-planned and part of cooperation between the Israeli and US militaries.
The US and Israeli militaries have not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Analysis | Why Iran is the wrong war for Trump to back
Friday 30 January 2026 09:50 , Alex CroftChaotic, unprincipled and dangerously effective, Donald Trump’s latest foreign policy move in Ukraine may secure a brief respite from Russian bombing in plunging temperatures that has left civilians freezing in their homes.
The danger lies in what he expects to get in return for securing a week-long agreement from Vladimir Putin to hold off on tormenting Ukraine. The concession he will, no doubt, demand is that Kyiv give in to the Kremlin’s demands to hand over his most potent defensive lines and fortress cities without a shot being fired in return for a longer “ceasefire”.
Trump has been backing the wrong side in Ukraine and may soon launch a war in Iran that he cannot control.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Why Iran is the wrong war for Trump to back
Iranian leadership 'buying time' after recent protests, says retired US admiral
Friday 30 January 2026 09:33 , Alex CroftA retired US admiral has argued that Iran is “buying time” following the recent protests, adding that the US will need to define its “mission objectives” clearly before any use of force.
"Iranian leadership is still just buying time after the huge recent protests, and high numbers of protesters that were killed by the regime. Khamenei and his lieutenants are more unpopular than ever,” argues professor Robert Murrett, who now works at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and as deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law.
He said the movement of US warships to the Middle East is “of some note, although there is already significant combat power in the region at this time."
Prof Murrett added: "Defining our mission objectives will be key for any use of force again Iran, that is, one which can credibly lead to meeting a strategic end state."
Iranian foreign ministry condemns EU move to label IRGC a terror group
Friday 30 January 2026 09:15 , Alex CroftIran’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.”
Iran's retaliation will not be limited, military warns
Friday 30 January 2026 08:55 , Alex CroftIran’s reaction to any US action will not be limited, an Iranian military spokesperson has warned.
A decisive response, he said, would be “delivered instantly”.
Speaking to Iranian state television, brigadier general Mohammad Akraminia said US aircraft carriers have “serious vulnerabilities”.
Several US bases in the Gulf region are “within the range of our medium-range missiles”, he added according to Le Monde.
"If such a miscalculation is made by the Americans, it will certainly not unfold the way Trump imagines – carrying out a quick operation and then, two hours later, tweeting that the operation is over.”
Hegseth warns Iran against developing nuclear weapons, saying US military 'prepared to deliver'
Friday 30 January 2026 08:43 , Alex CroftSaudi defence minister meets with top US officials
Friday 30 January 2026 08:22 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSaudi Arabia’s defence minister Khalid bin Salman met with top Us officials in Washington DC as Arab nations make a last-ditch effort to de-escalate the tense situation between the US and Iran.
In a post on X, the defence minister said the meeting in the US was attended by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, defence minister, Pete Hegseth and the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
He said the meeting was held to "review the strategic relations between our countries and explore prospects for enhancing our cooperation".
"We also discussed our efforts to advance regional and global peace and stability."
Trump threatens Iran with ‘massive armada’ in Gulf
Friday 30 January 2026 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.
Trump threatens Iran with ‘massive armada’ in Gulf
Watch: Omid Djalili: Iranians will fight to the end against this brutal regime
Friday 30 January 2026 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS radiation-detecting aircraft lands in UK
Friday 30 January 2026 06:48 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA US Air Force specialist jet which is used to detect radioactive particles in the atmosphere has landed in Britain as Washington's tensions with Iran escalate.
The WC-135R Constant Phoenix 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.
No 10 welcomes EU move to label Iran’s IRGC terrorists
Friday 30 January 2026 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
Friday 30 January 2026 06:35 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil slips, but set for biggest monthly gain in years
Friday 30 January 2026 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.
Iranian foreign ministry condemns EU move to label IRGC a terror group
Friday 30 January 2026 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.”