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A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the last 24 hours. Here’s today’s news:
IRAN
Days before protests erupted in Iran in late December, Israeli officials sent messages to Iran via a Russian intermediary saying Israel would not launch strikes if it was not attacked first, according to diplomats and regional officials cited by the Washington Post. Iran replied through the same channel that it would also refrain from a preemptive attack. The back-channel contacts reflected Israel’s desire to avoid being seen as escalating tensions while it prepared a major campaign against Hezbollah, while Iranian officials responded positively but remained wary of Israel’s intentions, the report said. Gerry Shih, Karen DeYoung, Suzan Haidamous, Catherine Belton, and Ari Flanzraich report.
Armed Kurdish separatist groups based in Turkey and Iraq attempted in recent days to cross into Iran from Iraq, according to three sources, including a senior Iranian official. Turkey’s intelligence agency reportedly warned Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which then clashed with the fighters, whom officials accused of exploiting the unrest to foment instability. Iran has asked Turkey and Iraq to halt any movement of fighters or weapons into Iranian territory. Parisa Hafezi and Samia Nakhoul report for Reuters.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said yesterday that courts should fast-track prosecutions tied to the nationwide protests and impose swift punishments for those convicted. He cited allegations of extreme violence as justification to move quickly, and said trials should be held in public. Ashleigh Fields reports for The Hill; Feliz Soloman and David S. Cloud report for the Wall Street Journal; Al Jazeera reporting.
Iran temporarily closed its airspace to most commercial flights for around five hours last night, extending the restriction beyond an initial two-hour window, according to flight tracking data and aviation advisories. The closure ran from about 5:15 p.m. ET to 10:30 p.m. ET, with only limited, approved international flights permitted. It was initially reported to last two hours, but was later extended without explanation. Flight trackers later indicated the closure had expired and that some flights—including domestic routes—were resuming, with aircraft again inbound to Tehran. David Shepardson reports for Reuters; Jon Gambrell reports for the Associated Press; Helen Regan reports for CNN.
More than 30 commercial vessels have been waiting at anchor outside Iran’s port limits in recent days, shipping data and industry sources show, as tensions with the United States have risen. Maritime intelligence firm Pole Star Global found that the number of tankers entering Iran’s exclusive economic zone—waters extending beyond its territorial sea—rose from one to 36 between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12. Jonathan Saul reports for Reuters.
Tens of thousands of mourners yesterday joined a state-led funeral procession in Tehran for nearly 100 security force members killed in the demonstrations, according to state-affiliated media. Reports said the ceremony featured Iranian flags and photos of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Nadeen Ebrahim reports for CNN; Melanie Lidman and Jon Gambrell report for the Associated Press.
IRAN KILLINGS AND EXECUTIONS
President Trump said yesterday that “very important sources” had told him Iran has stopped killing protesters and called off planned executions, though he cautioned he could not confirm the claims. “We have been informed by very important sources on the other side, and they’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office, adding, “We’ve been told on good authority, and I hope it’s true. Who knows, right?” Donald Judd reports for CNN; David Brennan, Morgan Winsor, and Meredith Deliso report for ABC News.
Iran appeared poised to carry out the first known execution linked to the current anti-regime protests yesterday, but the hanging now appears to have been halted, human rights groups and family members said. Family members of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested last week, said they were told the execution was scheduled for yesterday, but when they arrived at Ghezel Hesar prison in Alborz Province, Tehran, they learned it had been postponed. Soltani has not been released, and limited communications have made independent confirmation difficult. Abdi Latif Dahir, Sanam Mahoozi, and Ephrat Livni report for the New York Times; Farnoush Amiri reports for the Associated Press.
Iran’s Judiciary Media Center said Soltani has not been sentenced to death and is instead charged with “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal security” and “propaganda activities against the regime,” adding that “death penalty does not exist in the law for such charges,” according to state media. Helen Regan reports for CNN.
PERSONNEL WITHDRAWALS-MIDDLE EAST
The U.S. military has begun withdrawing some personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, amid reports the precautionary drawdown could extend to other regional sites. Reuters reported that a U.S. official said the drawdown is occurring at several bases and that three diplomats said Al Udeid personnel were told to leave by yesterday evening. Qatar later confirmed departures from Al Udeid “in response to the current regional tensions,” saying it would take “all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents.” One diplomat told Reuters, “It’s a posture change and not an ordered evacuation.” Reuters reporting; Reuters reporting; Mostafa Salem, Jeremy Diamond, and Gul Tuysuz report for CNN; Lara Seligman, Benoit Faucon, and Ken Thomas report for the Wall Street Journal.
The scale of the drawdown at the Qatari base remains unclear. The New York Times reported an “unspecified number of nonessential personnel,” while NBC News said sources indicated the administration had “started evacuating hundreds of troops” and moving them to “other facilities and hotels in the region.” Edward Wong and Eric Schmitt report for the New York Times; Gordon Lubold, Courtney Kube, and Alexander Smith report for NBC News.
The U.K. is reducing personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, British media reported, citing heightened regional security concerns. The BBC confirmed the reduction and reported that a Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment on reports that U.K. personnel were being withdrawn “due to operational security.” BBC News reports; Reuters reports.
The U.K. Foreign Office has temporarily closed the British embassy in Tehran and will operate it remotely. A U.K. official said Britain’s ambassador and all consular staff have been withdrawn on security grounds and to prioritise staff safety. BBC News reports; Gordon Lubold, Courtney Kube, and Alexander Smith report for NBC News.
A snapshot of the major U.S. military hubs across the Middle East—where forces are positioned, what each base does, and why they matter as Iran threatens to strike U.S. facilities if attacked. Reuters reports.
IRAN-UNITED STATES
President Trump said the U.S. would “watch and see what the process is” when asked whether he had taken a military strike on Iran off the table. He further told reporters at the Oval Office that he had received “a very good statement” from people “aware of what’s going on,” saying he had been told there would be “no executions” despite widespread reports that “a lot of executions were taking place today.” “I hope that’s true,” Trump said, calling it “a big thing.” A senior U.S. official told the New York Times late yesterday that Trump has not taken military options off the table and that any decision will depend on what Iran’s security services do next. Edward Wong and Eric Schmitt report for the New York Times; Donald Judd reports for CNN.
Trump is set to meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House today, a day after he touted a “fascinating” call with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez. Trump told Reuters that Machado “seems very nice” and that he expects the meeting will focus on “basics.” He also praised Rodríguez, the former vice president under Nicolás Maduro, as “very good to deal with” following their call. Steve Holland reports for Reuters.
Trump said yesterday he would be “fine” with Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi leading Iran, but questioned whether Pahlavi could command enough support inside the country to ultimately govern. “I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership,” Trump said, according to Reuters. Steve Holland reports for Reuters.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) met yesterday with Iran’s exiled former crown prince, Reza Pahlavi. In a video Graham posted on X after the meeting—showing the two holding matching black “Make Iran Great Again” baseball caps—Graham praised Pahlavi’s leadership, said it would be up to Iranians to choose their next leader, and reiterated that “help is on the way.” Graham also told reporters the U.S. should attack the Iranian regime “sooner rather than later,” saying he believes Trump is serious that “help is on the way” and that “an attack on the regime is the only help that really matters.” Helen Regan reports for CNN; Veronica Stracqualursi reports for CNN.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
President Trump said yesterday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is the principal obstacle to ending the nearly four-year war between Ukraine and Russia, describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as “ready to make a deal,” Reuters reported in an exclusive Oval Office interview. Asked what was blocking an agreement, Trump replied: “Zelenskiy,” adding, “We have to get President Zelenskiy to go along with it.” Steve Holland reports for Reuters.
TECH DEVELOPMENTS
Grok, an AI chatbot built by Elon Musk’s xAI and integrated into X, will no longer be able to edit images of real people to make them appear undressed, a statement on X said, adding the restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers. “We now geoblock the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal,” the statement read. Christal Hayes, Osmond Chia, and Liv McMahon report for BBC News.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has opened an investigation into the spread of nonconsensual, sexualized AI deepfakes, including of children, generated using Elon Musk’s Grok model, his office announced, hours before X said it would block Grok from “undressing” real people in images. Lily Jamali reports for BBC News.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said yesterday that the government will not “back down” after reports of nonconsensual sexual images generated using Grok. Starmer said X says it is taking steps to ensure “full compliance with UK law,” but a Downing Street spokesperson later clarified Starmer was not conveying any new communication from the company, but responding to media reports. Starmer said ministers would “take the necessary measures,” including strengthening laws and preparing further legislation if needed, as Ofcom continues investigating under the Online Safety Act. Laura Cress reports for BBC News; Reuters reporting.
OpenAI yesterday said it has struck a deal to start using chips from California start-up Cerebras, the latest in a series of arrangements aimed at expanding the company’s computing capacity. OpenAI said the Cerebras deployment would ultimately draw about 750 megawatts of electricity. The company has previously indicated it also plans to deploy enough Nvidia and AMD chips to consume roughly 16 gigawatts of power. Cade Metz reports for the New York Times.
President Trump yesterday imposed a narrowly tailored 25 per cent tariff on certain foreign-made AI semiconductors, creating a mechanism for the U.S. government to collect revenue tied to high-end chip sales—including chips ultimately headed abroad—without yet imposing the broader semiconductor tariffs he has threatened. The proclamation, which takes effect today, applies to AI chips made by companies such as Nvidia and AMD that are imported into the United States and then re-exported to other countries, including China. The tariff does not apply to semiconductors imported for domestic use in U.S. data centers or in products for American consumers, industry, or the government. The White House said Trump could still pursue wider semiconductor and downstream product tariffs soon, while offering possible tariff relief for companies that manufacture chips in the United States. Ana Swanson and Tripp Mickle report for the New York Times.
U.S. IMMIGRATION
A federal agent shot and injured a man in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening during an attempted arrest, and city officials described the injuries as non-life-threatening. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said agents were conducting a targeted traffic stop around 6:50 p.m. when the man, whom she identified as a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, fled and then “began to resist and violently assault” an officer when caught. McLaughlin alleged two other people joined the encounter and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle, prompting the officer—fearing for his life—to fire, striking the man in the leg, with the agent and the man hospitalized and the other two individuals in custody. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Mitch Smith, and Hamed Aleaziz report for the New York Times.
The State Department is expected to pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, while non-immigrant visas, including temporary tourist and business visas, will continue. According to a State Department cable seen by Reuters, the department is conducting a “full review” to ensure “the highest level of screening and vetting,” citing indications that some applicants may seek U.S. public benefits and warning of “public charge” risk. The move follows Presidential Proclamation 10998, which imposed full or partial visa-issuance restrictions on 39 countries effective Jan. 1, 2026. Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk report for Reuters.
President Trump said federal payments to states with “sanctuary cities” will stop on Feb. 1, without specifying which funds or which states would be affected. Trump reiterated a similar comment from a day earlier, writing on social media that “no more payments will be made” to states for what he called “sanctuary cities.” Reuters reporting; Ashleigh Fields reports for The Hill.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ACTIONS
Democratic Reps. Jason Crow (Colo.), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.), and Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.) said they are under investigation by Washington, D.C., federal prosecutors over their participation in a video urging service members to resist illegal orders, though it is unclear what crime authorities believe they may have committed. The lawmakers said they have been contacted by Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, seeking interviews with them or their private counsel—following a similar disclosure earlier this week by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.). Greg Jaffe reports for the New York Times.
Trump administration officials are considering FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson to oversee a newly created Justice Department unit focused on combating nationwide fraud, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The sources said Ferguson would keep his FTC role while taking on the new assignment with the unit, which Vice President JD Vance has said he will head. Josh Sisco and Leah Nylen report.
The Justice Department has reversed course on plans to effectively eliminate its Community Relations Service (CRS) office by rescinding layoff notices for 13 CRS employees, according to a DOJ filing Tuesday in federal court in Boston. DOJ said it withdrew the termination notices on Jan. 9 and reinstated the employees “as a matter of administrative discretion,” after the September layoffs would have wiped out nearly the unit’s entire staff. The filing did not say whether the employees will return to CRS work, and plaintiffs have asked the judge to clarify the agency’s future role. Nate Raymond reports for Reuters.
President Trump has “no plan” to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell despite a Justice Department criminal investigation tied to alleged cost overruns on a roughly $2.5 billion renovation of two historic buildings at the Fed’s headquarters, though he said it was “too early” to say what he might ultimately do, the president told Reuters yesterday. Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt report for Reuters.
The “Department of War” rebrand could cost as much as $125 million if implemented broadly and rapidly across the department, a Congressional Budget Office report published yesterday estimated. CBO put a more modest rollout at roughly $10 million. Fatima Hussein and Konstantin Toropin report for ABC News.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold urged Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday not to pardon Tina Peters, the convicted election denier serving a nine-year sentence for a 2021 voting-system breach, as Trump and allies escalate pressure to secure clemency for her. Griswold and two Republican leaders of the Colorado County Clerks Association sent Polis a letter urging him not to pardon or commute Peters’ sentence, warning it could embolden election deniers and endanger election workers and future elections. Óscar Contreras reports for ABC News’ Denver7.
OTHER U.S. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
Senate Republicans yesterday voted down a War Powers resolution that would have required congressional authorization before any further U.S. military action in Venezuela, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The measure had advanced last week after five Republicans joined Democrats, but two—Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.)—flipped after pressure from Trump and the administration. Both cited assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the U.S. does not plan to deploy ground troops and would seek congressional authorization for any “major military operations,” circumstances permitting. Stephen Groves reports for the Associated Press.
The House passed yesterday a two-bill “minibus” appropriations package funding the Treasury Department, the State Department, the IRS, and national security programs. H.R. 7006 passed 341–79 and would provide roughly $76 billion; it now heads to the Senate, which is expected to take it up, along with other spending measures, next week. Sudiksha Kochi and Mike Lillis report for The Hill.
The Supreme Court, in a 7–2 decision, held that Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) has standing to challenge Illinois’s law allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be received and counted for up to 14 days afterward. The Court reversed the Seventh Circuit’s dismissal and remanded for further proceedings. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Abbie VanSickle reports for the New York Times; Melissa Quinn reports for CBS News.
Attorney General Pam Bondi will appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11, Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said yesterday, after her appearance was postponed during the government shutdown. Hailey Fuchs reports for POLITICO.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LITIGATION
District Judge Carl Nichols will issue an oral ruling at 11 a.m. ET today on whether Norwegian developer Equinor can resume work on the Empire Wind project off New York’s coast, after the Trump administration suspended offshore wind construction in federal waters citing national security risks. Nichols said during yesterday’s preliminary injunction hearing, and later confirmed in a minute order, that he would deliver his decision today. Justice Department lawyers argued the halt is justified by classified security concerns and called Equinor’s warnings of severe project harm “speculative,” while Nichols questioned whether the asserted risks apply during construction rather than operations, which are not scheduled to begin until October. Blake Brittain and Nichola Groom report for Reuters; Michael Phillis and Jennifer Mcdermott report for the Associated Press.
A federal judge yesterday temporarily barred the Department of Agriculture from cutting funds used to administer Minnesota’s SNAP program while the state reviews the eligibility of roughly 100,000 households amid fraud allegations. District Judge Laura Provinzino said it was likely unlawful for USDA to impose a 30-day deadline—until January 15—for Minnesota to complete the review. Daniel Wiessner reports for Reuters.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, in a 2–1 decision yesterday, rejected an effort by the California Republican Party and the Justice Department to block California’s new congressional map, dealing a setback to the federal lawsuit challenging the voter-approved boundaries. Writing for the majority, Judge Josephine Staton, an Obama appointee, joined by Judge Wesley Hsu, a Biden appointee, said challengers “failed to show that racial gerrymandering occurred” and found “no basis for issuing a preliminary injunction,” adding that the result “probably seems obvious to anyone who followed the news” in 2025. Judge Kenneth Lee, a Trump appointee, dissented. Lindsey Holden and Josh Gerstein report for POLITICO; Laurel Rosenhall reports for the New York Times.
The Justice Department yesterday asked the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to rehear en banc the panel decision that disqualified Alina Habba from serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. In its petition, DOJ argues the panel misread the Federal Vacancies Reform Act by limiting “first assistant” service to someone already in place when the vacancy arose and treating Habba as barred because her nomination was submitted even though it was later withdrawn. The government also disputes the panel’s conclusion that the Attorney General could not delegate prosecutorial authority to her absent valid FVRA acting status, warning the ruling disrupts common vacancy practices and conflicts with other appellate precedent. DOJ says the case is not moot despite Habba’s resignation because she has indicated she intends to return if the decision is reversed.
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