● According to MizarVision, a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is off the coast of Diego Garcia, a key US base in the Indian Ocean.

● Thanks to its Aegis system, the ship has advanced air and missile defense capabilities, while also likely protecting the base used to launch strikes against Iran last summer and that continues to be a key platform for such operations.

● Given the remoteness of the island atoll from Iran (more than 3,500 km), it is highly unlikely that even a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles would reach the base. In addition, the Sejjil and Khorramshahr-4 missiles have a range of only 2,000 km.

● However, the US Navy command is also considering the most unforeseen scenarios, including the possible deployment of longer-range ballistic missiles by the IRGC. That is why the Arleigh Burke was spotted in Diego Garcia carrying SM-3 Block IB/IIA exoatmospheric interceptor missiles and, possibly, SM-6 Dual II missiles. (Translation: DeepL)

Al Jazeera | "Trump is looking for quick results from the negotiations, and if he does not get what he wants, he may pressure Iran with a limited military strike." | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington and his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump are of particular importance, as they will discuss US-Iranian negotiations and put Israel's options for dealing with Tehran, especially the military option, on the table.

■ On the eve of Netanyahu's urgent talks in Washington on US negotiations with Iran, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, met with Omani officials in Muscat. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Larijani's visit is part of a round of consultations to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, which also includes a visit to Qatar.

■ Iran reiterated its keenness to continue negotiations on an equal footing based on mutual respect and common interests, and called on Washington to act independently, away from pressure and what it called its subservience to Israel's demands, which it sees as a key factor in destabilizing security in the region.

■ According to Dr. Hassan Ahmadian, professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Tehran, Iran wants to focus its negotiations on what matters to the US, not what matters to Israel. He said that the Americans are focusing on Iran's nuclear program in their negotiations and that the missile program is not up for discussion. During the recent negotiations in Muscat, the discussion focused solely on the nuclear program and sanctions.

■ Israel is asking its American ally to include in the negotiations with Tehran a limit on ballistic missiles and an end to Iranian support for what it describes as its regional allies, conditions that former US National Security Advisor Mark Fievel said in an interview on the February 10, 2026 episode of the program “Beyond the News” that the US president will take them into consideration during his meeting with Netanyahu in Washington.

■ Feivel added that Trump faces challenges and does not want a regional war to break out, but he will point out Israel's concerns about Iranian ballistic missiles and what he called “proxy wars funded by Tehran.” noting that Netanyahu “will try to convince Trump that the agreement with Tehran on its nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions will provide it with more money to spend on wars.” (Translation: DeepL + Copyread: Grammarly)

■ Iran drawing US-Israeli enmity because it blocks ‘Greater Israel’ scheme (Press TV)

President Donald Trump has yet to give an official deployment order | The US Department of War has reportedly instructed a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for possible deployment to the Middle East, as Washington intensifies military pressure on Tehran amid negotiations over its nuclear program, according to the Wall Street Journal. ● Three US officials told the news outlet on Wednesday that the preparations are part of contingency plan for a potential strike on Iran if diplomatic efforts fail. US President Donald Trump has not yet issued a formal order, and officials have cautioned that plans could still change. ● One official said the deployment order could come “in a matter of hours.” Another said that the Pentagon is readying a carrier for deployment within roughly two weeks, likely from the US East Coast. The USS George H.W. Bush is currently completing training exercises off the coast of Virginia and could accelerate those drills if ordered to move sooner, the report said.

🚩 Pentagon Prepares Second Aircraft Carrier to Deploy to the Middle East (The Wall Street Journal)

According to The Wall Street Journal, in this way, Washington wants to try to induce Tehran to strike a deal limiting its nuclear program | The US administration is considering exerting pressure on Tehran by seizing tankers with Iranian oil, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. ● According to the newspaper, in this way, Washington wants to try to induce Tehran to strike a deal limiting its nuclear program. However, the US has not yet decided to take this step due to concerns about rising oil prices and retaliation from Iran. ● When asked to comment on the possibility of the US taking such a step, a White House official said that President Donald Trump has many options available in the event that talks with Iran fail.

🚩 U.S. Weighs Seizing Tankers Carrying Iranian Oil to Pressure Tehran (The Wall Street Journal)

■ Surrender canceled. Iran has presented the US with an uncomfortable choice (02/08/26)

Sergey Latyshev | “To attack, or not to attack, that is the question”🔺Negotiations between the US and Iran in Oman have ended in failure. Now the Americans will either have to launch a military campaign against Iran alongside Israel or retreat. Tehran has no intention of giving up its peaceful nuclear program, missile program, or allies in the region, and is only willing to discuss the issue of nuclear weapons with the US. This was confirmed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi 🔺The Americans have an aircraft carrier group, destroyers with more than 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles, and large air forces in the region. And now Trump, whose entourage is trying to count the chickens before they hatch, will have to decide which of the two options to choose. 🔺 Both options are bad. Backing down after spending so much money and making so many threats would mean losing face. But even if an attack were launched, the Iranian regime would not be overthrown. That would require two million soldiers. Since Iran is not Venezuela, and China and Russia have been able to strengthen its military machine in recent weeks, the US would suffer considerable losses. At the same time, according to polls, less than a third of Americans support a war with Iran, while half are against it. Everything could turn out for the US as in the Russian proverb: “If you chase two rabbits, you won't catch either.” Especially if one of them isn't a rabbit at all. (Translation: DeepL)

■ Mideast Source to Haaretz: U.S. Drops Demand for Iran Talks to Cover Ballistic Program, Proxies (Haaretz)

Simplicius | A new round of Iran talks has kicked off in Oman, with Trump claiming they are “going well”. | We’ve already established how it’s been clearly implied by Trump’s renewed threats against Iran’s “nuclear” capabilities that Operation Midnight Hammer was a total failure, or a con job. The US administration does not even attempt to keep its stories straight anymore, simply crafting narrative impromptu as necessary. ■ But what has become obvious is that the latest stunt is an attempt by the roi fainéant orange not to eliminate the threat of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but rather to entirely neuter its conventional strike potential at the secret behest of Israel. ■ The main demand apparently being pushed by the US is for Iran to completely give up its long range ballistic missile capabilities, which would absurdly give Israel total leverage and dominion over its arch-nemesis: it is essentially calling for Iran’s complete surrender to Israel, given that this capability represents Iran’s only true asymmetric deterrence against the terrorist aggressor-colony.

■ US State Department Advises Citizens to Depart Iran Immediately (India News)
■ Evidence Of Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopters Delivered To Iran Grows (TWZ)
✅ The Guardian joins the cheerleading for a war of aggression against Iran (Jonathan Cook)

Caitlin Johnstone | Speaking before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explicitly stated that the US deliberately caused a financial crisis in Iran with the goal of fomenting civil unrest in the country. | Asked by Senator Katie Britt what more the US can be doing to place pressure on the Ayatollah and Iran, Bessent explained that the Treasury Department has implemented a “strategy” designed to undermine the Iranian currency which crashed the economy and sparked the violent protests we’ve seen throughout the country.

The US has been orchestrating plans to foment unrest in Iran by causing economic strife for years. In 2019 Trump’s previous secretary of state Mike Pompeo openly acknowledged that the goal of Washington’s economic warfare against Iran was to make the population so miserable that they “change the government”, cheerfully citing the “economic distress” the nation had been placed under by US sanctions.

■ US Treasury Secretary Says US Sanctions Crushed Iran’s Economy and Sparked Protests (antiwar.com)

Moon of Alabama | The first round of new talks between Iran and the United States in Muscat, Oman, has ended with satisfying results. | U.S. President Donald Trump very much needs the talks to chicken out from his threats to again attack Iran. Any attack on Iran would be retaliated for with missile which would cause massive damage to U.S. and Israeli assets. ■ There had been a little drama about the location, configuration and content of the meeting. ■ The U.S. at first insisted on talks in Turkey. It wanted the foreign ministers of other Middle Eastern countries to take part in them. It demanded to negotiate about nuclear issues, ballistic missiles, Iranian support for local militia and about the recognizance of Israel by Iran.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: "Our stance toward Israel is fixed; Israel is a malignant cancerous entity that must be uprooted and removed." pic.twitter.com/EqNROremJw

— Global Insight Journal (@GlobalIJournal) November 13, 2025

Moon of Alabama | The weekend has passed without a U.S. attack on Iran. | Yves Smith concludes that:

An attack is not imminent, American officials have told the outlet | The US is not ready to strike Iran as it needs to deploy more air defenses to the Middle East to be able to repel a possible retaliation, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing unnamed American officials. ● Over the past few weeks, Washington has dispatched what US President Donald Trump described as a “massive and beautiful armada” to the Middle East, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, to pressure Tehran into accepting a new nuclear deal. ● Despite the buildup, American airstrikes on Iran “aren’t imminent” because Washington needs to make sure that Israel, its Arab allies and US forces in the region are properly protected, the WSJ said in an article on Sunday, citing its sources.

■ IN BRIEF: What we know about current escalation around Iran (TASS)
✅ Iran, China and Russia sign trilateral strategic pact (Ranjan Solomon)

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that any war initiated by the United States against Iran would turn into a regional war. | Addressing a large gathering of people at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya on Saturday, the Leader said recent US rhetoric about war and military assets was nothing new. [...] Referring to US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The Iranian nation should not be frightened by these things; the people of Iran are not affected by such threats.” He emphasized that Iran would not be the initiator of any war, but warned of a firm response to aggression.

■ Seyed M. Marandi: Iran Warns of Overwhelming Retaliation to ANY U.S. Strike (Glenn Diesen's Substack) (VIDEO)

Iranian Army:

"We will not submit to America and Israel, and we are ready for any confrontation, whatever its level, even if it reaches the most dangerous forms of wars... 🇺🇸🇮🇱

— In an explicit indication of all extreme possibilities, including the nuclear scenario." pic.twitter.com/NfPtaHiaqp

— Global Insight Journal (@GlobalIJournal) January 30, 2026

Iran responded to the US move by calling US forces in the region ‘terrorist groups’, Iranian state TV reported. | President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is designating Iran‘s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a foreign “terrorist organisation”, marking the first time Washington has formally labelled another country’s military a “terrorist group”. Responding to the move, Iran immediately declared the US as “state sponsor of terrorism” and US forces in the region “terrorist groups”, state media reported.

■ Iranian officials: EU will regret 'servitude to US' over IRGC designation (Press TV)
■ US military ready for action against Iran – secretary of war (RT)
■ Iran responds in kind to Trump’s IRGC ‘terrorist’ designation (Al Jazeera)

Harold Turner | Diplomacy efforts About Iran by Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, have failed | Iran will NOT agree to limit its nuclear program, will NOT agree to stop Uranium enrichment which they say is for peaceful nuclear energy use, will NOT limit their Ballistic Missile production or the range of those missiles. ■ All of the demands being levied against Iran are within Iran's right to do as a sovereign country. Yet the US and Israel seem to think they can dictate terms to Iran under threat of heavy, destructive, military action. There is no basis in law, or in Treaty, and no authorization by the US Congress or the United Nations Security Council for the US or Israel to even make these demands, never mind do so while threatening military attack. Law and Treaties don't seem to matter in this situation; at least not to the likely aggressors.

■ China, Germany, Italy Tell Citizens "Leave Iran Immediately" (Hal Turner Show)
✅ Iran, China and Russia sign trilateral strategic pact (Ranjan Solomon)

Trump asegura que la flota enviada a Irán está "preparada para actuar salvo que quieran negociar"

▪️Ese acuerdo debe ser, en sus palabras, "justo y equitativo y que incluya la premisa de que Irán no tenga armas nucleares"

🎙️ @enriquemastor pic.twitter.com/BfEzQCdkpU

— Radio 5 (@radio5_rne) January 28, 2026

Trump exige a la República Islámica negociar ya sobre su programa nuclear. El Gobierno iraní cree "más probable" la guerra que la negociación. | El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha expresado la amenaza más directa y clara hasta el momento de un ataque militar a Irán si el país no negocia inmediatamente un nuevo acuerdo para paralizar su programa nuclear. ● "Una Armada enorme se dirige a Irán. Se mueve rápidamente, con gran poder, entusiasmo y determinación. Es una flota más grande, encabezada por el gran portaaviones Abraham Lincoln, que la enviada a Venezuela. Como en Venezuela, está lista, dispuesta y capaz para cumplir rápidamente su misión, con velocidad y violencia, si fuera necesario", ha escrito Trump en su red social, Truth Social.

(Translation: DeepL) | Trump demands that the Islamic Republic negotiate immediately on its nuclear program. The Iranian government believes war is “more likely” than negotiation. | US President Donald Trump has issued his most direct and clear threat yet of a military attack on Iran if the country does not immediately negotiate a new agreement to halt its nuclear program. "A massive Navy is heading to Iran. It is moving fast, with great power, enthusiasm, and determination. It is a larger fleet, led by the great aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, than the one sent to Venezuela. As in Venezuela, it is ready, willing, and able to quickly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary," Trump wrote on his social network, Truth Social.

■ Trump to Iran: Agree to Nuclear Deal Or the US Will Attack (antiwar.com)
■ US could ‘preemptively’ attack Iran – Rubio (RT)
■ Iran Parliament APPROVES Closure of the Strait of Hormuz (Core Insights)
■ IRGC: Iran has full control of the Strait of Hormuz (IDN Financials)

✅ Creative Energy Diplomacy Might Avert Another American Attack On Iran (Andrew Korybko)
✅ Covering His Tracks? Trump Hard-Pivots Once More to Iran (Simplicius)
✅ For Iran, another US–Israeli attack would be an 'existential war' (Seyed Hossein Mousavian)
✅ Iran's battle for survival is the Arab world's fight too (David Hearst)
✅ Trump Wants To Win – But Iran Is No Easy Target (Moon of Alabama)

The US president has renewed his threats against Tehran, warning “a lot of ships” are heading to the region | Washington is closely “watching” the situation in Iran, US President Donald Trump has said, apparently renewing his threats of using military force against the Islamic Republic over its handling of the violent unrest. ● Iran has been hit by mass protests lately over economic hardships and the collapse of the national currency. The protests grew political and violent, with Tehran blaming meddling by the US and Israel, as well as infiltration of “terrorist” elements, for the turmoil. ● According to the latest official figures, more than 3,000 people have been killed in the violence, including nearly 700 “terrorists.” Tehran has repeatedly alleged that organized groups of militants have received instructions, weaponry, and other equipment from abroad, as well as have been paid for acts of violence against government officials and public property. [...] While the Pentagon has not confirmed Trump’s statements on the fleet movements, multiple media reports have indicated that the aircraft carrier group led by USS Abraham Lincoln has been sent to the Middle East from the South China Sea. The group and associated vessels are currently in the Indian Ocean.

■ Iran certain to deliver decisive response to Trump’s threats: Senior commander (Press TV)
■ Military Buildup In The Middle East Continues, Including What Trump Describes As A “Big Flotilla” (Updated) (TWZ)
■ Israel to Call-up 280,000 Reserve Troops; Growing Signs of War with Iran (Hal Turner)

This is how the CIA and Mossad-led terrorists and rioters burned down an entire market in the city of Rasht during the riots on Jan 8 and Jan 9.

These were not "peaceful protesters." Western journalists are hiding the crimes of their overlords just like they do in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/XdUlN3O5DU

— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) January 18, 2026

Watch how during last week's riots, CIA, MI6, and Mossad-backed terrorists were gunning down and murdering police officers.

Anyone who still trusts Western legacy media and their "analysts" is irredeemably naive. pic.twitter.com/xmg95RcOy1

— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) January 16, 2026

Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi: This is how the CIA and Mossad-led terrorists and rioters burned down an entire market in the city of Rasht during the riots on Jan 8 and Jan 9. These were not "peaceful protesters." Western journalists are hiding the crimes of their overlords just like they do in Gaza. (A thanx to steigan.no)

■ Seyed M. Marandi: Violent Riots & a Massive War Coming (Glenn Diesen) (VIDEO)
■ They don’t care if you die: How Iran’s protests became a bargaining chip for oil and power (RT)

US President Donald Trump's decision not to strike Iran this week may have been influenced by a warning from his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pointed out Israel's lack of preparedness to defend itself in the event of a retaliatory strike from Tehran, Axios reported citing US and Israeli officials. | According to the report, Netanyahu told Trump that Israel was not prepared to defend itself against a possible retaliatory strike from Iran, especially since the US did not have sufficient forces in the region to help Israel intercept Iranian missiles and drones. Furthermore, Netanyahu believes that the current US plan is not effective enough and will not produce the desired results, the report said citing one of the prime minister's advisers.

The US has deployed at least one aircraft carrier to the Middle East, Fox News has reported, citing anonymous military sources. It comes on the heels of thinly-veiled threats against Iran in recent days by President Donald Trump. | (01/17/26) On Thursday, Fox News reported that the warship reportedly on route to the region might be the USS Abraham Lincoln or one of two carriers that departed Norfolk and San Diego earlier this week. The outlet added that at present, Washington already has three destroyers and three Littoral Combat Ships in the region. ● Washington will also likely reinforce its military presence around Iran with air and ground strike capabilities, as well as missile defense systems in the coming days and weeks, unnamed sources told the outlet. Anonymous officials described this as “setting the force,” which would enable “offensive” military action should Trump opt for it. ● Also, NBC, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter, reported that Trump was considering delivering a swift and decisive blow to the Iranian government, as opposed to getting entangled in a prolonged conflict.

■ Massive Military Deployments in-Progress for Iran Strike (Hal Turner)

■ 'We consider US Prez GUILTY' (RT News) (VIDEO)
■ America’s goal is to SWALLOW Iran — Supreme Leader Khamenei (RT News) (VIDEO)
■ ‘I convinced myself’ not to bomb Iran – Trump (RT)
✅ Iran – Trump Chickened Out (Moon of Alabama)

■ ‘Last nail on coffin of terrorism’: Police chief hails calm across Iran (Press TV)
■ Iranian nation's tremendous participation in rallies condemning the recent riots (khamenei.ir)
✅ Revealed: The CIA-Backed Think Tanks Fueling The Iran Protests (Alan MacLeod)

America missed the window of opportunity. It’s too late’ — Scott Ritter

Former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter says Israel’s regime-change gamble in Iran is falling apart — and that’s why Tel Aviv is “panicking.”

“Israel just lost the lion’s share of its… pic.twitter.com/w9d2dM2Rbe

— Sprinter Press (@SprinterPress) January 16, 2026

Former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter says Israel’s regime-change gamble in Iran is falling apart — and that’s why Tel Aviv is “panicking.” “Israel just lost the lion’s share of its assets,” Ritter said, arguing that Israel had been banking on a US strike to turn unrest into a decisive “big move.” If Trump doesn’t attack, "Israel won’t be able to do this again” — because the moment they were waiting for has passed, he emphasized. ■ 3,000 members of terrorist groups arrested over riots (Press TV)

“Create chaos. Push people into the streets. Provoke BL00DSHED. Call it ‘protecting democracy.’”

Professor Jeffrey Sachs says this is the CIA/Mossad regime-change playbook and we’re watching it happen in real time [in Iran]. pic.twitter.com/Uw1N0wYQOE

— The Resonance (@Partisan_12) January 13, 2026

“Create chaos. Push people into the streets. Provoke BL00DSHED. Call it ‘protecting democracy.’” Professor Jeffrey Sachs says this is the CIA/Mossad regime-change playbook and we’re watching it happen in real time [in Iran].
✅ The ‘Ragtag Network Of Activists’ Run By The State Department (Moon of Alabama)

The Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned the United States, Israel, and their Daesh-style mercenaries that any miscalculation will be met with a decisive and crushing response. | In a statement, Major General Mohammad Pakpour said the IRGC remains at the highest level of readiness to dismantle “delusional plots” devised by the White House and Tel Aviv. General Pakpour described those behind recent unrest as “Daesh-style mercenaries” operating under the direction of foreign powers.

■ Iran closes airspace to commercial aircraft for hours amid tensions with US (Politico)