Trump would want US strikes to be a decisive blow to Iranian regime -NBC
The officials are concerned that the Iranian regime is not yet weak enough to be effectively ended through US strikes.
Middle East
US to discuss demilitarization, amnesty with Hamas, Israel, US officials say
Iran temporarily closes airspace, Western military official says signals show US attack 'imminent'
UK temporarily closes embassy in Tehran amid protests, tensions - Politico
Donald Trump: Iran's killing of protesters 'is stopping, no plan for executions'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that "there is no plan" by Iran to hang people. "Hanging is out of the question."
Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji killed in Tehran protests, anti-regime data shows
Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, 39, was shot during protests in Tehran's Sadeghiyeh area, according to Hengaw and the National Council of Resistance of Iran's data.
Trump’s Gaza peace plan officially entering Phase II, Witkoff announces
The interim governing body for Gaza will have 15 members, according to Witkoff, though their names have not been confirmed. It remains unclear how Hamas will be disarmed as required by the plan.
After Kurdish forces were expelled from Aleppo, Kurds fear new Syrian offensive - analysis
There are also concerns about how detainees are being treated by the Syrian authorities and about the desecration of the bodies of the fallen.
Armed Kurdish groups sought to cross into Iran from Iraq, sources say
Turkey, which deems Kurdish militants in northern Iraq terrorists, has warned in recent days that any foreign intervention in Iran would escalate regional crises.
Iranian Justice Minister labels 'anyone in the streets' after Jan. 8 criminals as death toll mounts
According to HRANA, 18,434 arrests have been confirmed, along with 97 forced confessions and 1,134 people sustaining severe injuries.
Where are the American bases in the Middle East Iran threatened it might strike? - explainer
Trump warned Iran that if it retaliated against the US, the US would respond at levels “never seen before.”
Ayandeh Bank's collapse highlights breakdown of Iran’s financial system - WSJ
Ayandeh Bank, which was run by individuals connected to the Iranian regime, failed after accumulating nearly $5 billion in losses from bad loans.
Saudi Arabia to US: Iran strikes should be targeted, rather than seeking regime change - N12
A Saudi royal source told N12 that Trump should pursue limited military strikes against Islamic Regime leaders and officials to alleviate protest repression.
US military intervention in Iran may begin within 24 hours, European officials say
An unnamed Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had decided to intervene, though the scope and timing remained unclear.
