Iran 02 (May 18 - Dec 26)

[behappyalways]

Iran's biggest protests in three years leave 16 dead;
Trump: US will strike hard.

伊朗3年來最大示威 16死 川普:美將痛擊｜方念華｜FOCUS全球新聞20260105 ‪@tvbsfocus‬

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzPgC49cx4

[behappyalways]

Heavily-armed Iranians seize two cities and force out security forces after deadly protests
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kN38jWzgIAo


Iran Decries 'Foreign Interference' As Protest Death Toll Rises Significantly
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ ... nificantly

[behappyalways]

Armed Iranians BURN buildings and RAID mosques - supreme leader says it's all just to 'please Trump'
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OS84MSyS3Vc


Iran activates ‘missile cities’ over uprising as internet blackout sparks fear of ‘massacre’
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=74ZL9W-67rw

[behappyalways]

Trump says any country doing business with Iran will face 25% U.S. tariff
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/12/trump-t ... iness.html


Death Toll In Clampdown On Iranian Protests Reaches Hundreds, Rights Groups Say
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ ... groups-say

[behappyalways]

Iran's bloody crackdown leaves over 538 dead; morgues overflowing, bodies left on the streets.
伊朗血腥鎮壓逾538死 停屍間爆滿遺體放街頭｜十點不一樣20260112
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sH96zortZ7E


Iranian TV Broadcasts Alleged Aftermath of Mass Protests
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MKlxIYJmXRE


Musk Offers Free Starlink As Iran Protests Endure Internet, Comms Blackout
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ ... s-blackout

[behappyalways]

The Iranian currency has depreciated to the point of being worthless!
1 million Iranian yen is now worth 1 US dollar, and bread prices have increased by 110%.

伊朗貨幣貶到變廢紙!100萬換1美元 麵包漲價110%｜十點不一樣20260116

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DYH3tiWlbF4

[winston]

Edge of the precipice: The US-Iran crisis of 2026

The next few days will test whether diplomacy can prevail over the momentum towards military confrontation

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supply passes, has become a flashpoint.

by Leon Hadar

These protests, sparked by the collapse of Iran’s rial currency and economic mismanagement, quickly evolved into a direct challenge to Khamenei’s rule.

Trump has called openly for a regime change.

Trump conveyed two key demands to Iranian leaders: “No 1, no nuclear. And No 2, stop killing protesters.”

Trump’s longstanding demands include zero uranium enrichment, limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and an end to Teheran’s support for regional proxy groups.

Iranian officials have indicated some willingness to show flexibility, including potentially shipping over 400 kg of highly enriched uranium abroad and accepting a zero-enrichment arrangement under an international consortium.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of global oil supply passes, has become a flashpoint.

A military conflict would likely spike global energy prices, disrupt international shipping, draw in regional powers and potentially trigger wider instability across the Middle East.

Source: Business Times

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinio ... risis-2026

[behappyalways]

Trump Imposes Secondary Tariffs, Reaching 25%, On Countries Still Importing From Iran
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/trump- ... rting-iran

[winston]

Trump hints at second carrier in Middle East as Iran and US near talks

"Either we reach a deal or we'll have to do something very tough," Israel's Channel 12 quoted him as saying.

The USS George Washington in Asia and the USS George H.W. Bush on the U.S. east coast, are the most likely candidates but each is at least a week away from the Middle East. The Pentagon could also deploy the Ford carrier from the Caribbean.

U.S. forces in Qatar's al-Udeid, the biggest U.S. base in the Middle East, put missiles into truck launchers as tensions with Iran ratcheted up since January, allowing them to be moved more quickly if needed.

Tehran says its missile arsenal has been rebuilt since last year's 12-day bombing campaign by Israel and the U.S., and that its stockpile is non-negotiable.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to use a meeting with Trump in Washington on Wednesday to push for any U.S.-Iran deal to include limitations on Tehran's missiles.

"The possibility of diluting 60% enriched uranium ... depends on whether, in return, all sanctions are lifted or not."

Source: The Standard

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/world-ne ... le/324155/

[winston]

US deploys second aircraft carrier to Middle East as Iran tensions rise- reports

by Ambar Warrick

Investing.com-- The Pentagon is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to the Middle East, the second such move in recent months as tensions with Iran remain high, media reports showed on Friday.

The Gerald R. Ford– which the navy’s biggest and most advanced aircraft carrier– will join the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region, along with nine other warships operating in the Middle East, reports from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press showed on Friday.

The deployment, which was long touted by U.S. President Donald Trump amid ongoing talks with Iran, comes as Trump ramps up pressure on Iran to temper its nuclear program.

The U.S. and Iran did hold talks in Oman last week, although the dialogue was seen as largely inconclusive.

The U.S. had carried out air strikes on Iran’s three key nuclear facilities in mid-2025, with Trump having repeatedly criticized Tehran’s plans for nuclear enrichment.

Reports of the Gerald R. Ford’s deployment come just days after Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Iran.

Source: investing.com

https://www.investing.com/news/economy- ... ts-4504335