US to discuss demilitarization, amnesty with Hamas, Israel, US officials say
US officials stated that President Trump sent out invitations to the countries he personally selected to be on the Gaza Board of Peace.
Middle East
Iran 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 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.
Has Gaza's post-Hamas government already been created, despite Phase II delays? - analysis
The future of the International Stabilization Force is also in question, as the only major success so far has been the CMCC, the US's coordination center in Kiryat Gat.
