“We were told that the killing in Iran is stopping. It's stopped. It's stopping. And there's no plan for executions, or an execution or executions. So I've been told that on good authority, will find out about it. I'm sure if it happens, we'll all be very upset, including you will be very upset. But that's just gotten to me some information that the killing has stopped, that the executions have stopped. They're not going to have an execution, which a lot of people were talking about for the last couple of days. Today was going to be the day of execution.”

The British Embassy in Tehran has been temporarily closed and a majority of staff withdrawn from the country, due to the recent civil unrest and escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, officials have told Politico.

In addition to what is currently taking place and/or will soon place in the Middle East, a “SKYMASTER Exercise” by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) is actively underway across the United States. So expect the launch of aerial-refueling tankers, strategic bombers, and other aircraft from bases across the country by the U.S. Air Force.

“Utter confusion” by senior diplomats in Europe about plans by the United States regarding Iran, according to the WSJ’s Laurence Norman.

President Donald J. Trump speaking earlier to reporters in the Oval Office about the recent anti-government protests and brutal crackdowns in Iran, as well as the possibility of military action against Iran by the United States.

Trump: “They [Iran] said people were shooting at them with guns and they were shooting back and you know, it's one of those things- but they told me that there'll be no executions and so I hope that's true.”

Reporter: “Does this mean military action is now off the table against Iran?”

Trump: “We're going to watch and see what the process is but we were given a very good statement by people that are aware of what’s going on.”

Additionally, today is also the start of Exercise Sentry Aloha by the Hawaii Air National Guard, which runs until January 28, 2026 and will feature at least 41 aircraft from seven states, including:

- 154th Wing (WG) (F-22, KC-135) and Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (MK-58) from Hawai‘i
- 115th Fighter Wing (FW) (F-35A) and 128th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) (KC-135) from Wisconsin
- 159th FW (F-15C) from Louisiana
- 155th ARW (KC-135) from Nebraska
- 153rd Airlift Wing (C-130H) from Wyoming
- 3rd WG (E-3) from Alaska
- 552nd Air Control Wing (E-3) from Oklahoma

With support personnel from multiple other units, states, as well as Australia.

The Iraqi news outlet Al-Jeebal reports that residents heard and observed fighter jets earlier tonight over Basra in Southern Iraq, only miles from the border with Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking today during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier.

Baier: “If you have a message for President Trump, who obviously is and has talked about and is considering some kind of action to help the protesters on the ground, if you have a message for him, what is the message?”

Araghchi: “My message is do not repeat the same mistake that you did in June. You know, if you try a failed experience, you will get the same result. You know, in June, yes, you destroyed the facilities, the machines, but the technology cannot be bombed, and the determination also cannot be bombed. Now Iran proved to be ready for war, for negotiation, for diplomacy. We have proved that in the past 20 years, in 2015, in 2025, every time. But it was the United States who always escaped from diplomacy, who cut the diplomacy and opted for war. My message is between war and diplomacy. Diplomacy is a better way, although we don't have any positive experience from the United States, but still diplomacy is much better than war.”

Iranian Airspace may now be closed, with several commercial aircraft currently orbiting outside, appearing to be awaiting permission to enter.

Airspace over Iran appears to quickly emptying, with no further flights being granted permission to enter Iranian Airspace.

I have deleted the post about possible explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran as the source appear to be a bit flimsy, though reporting on any potential action is going to be difficult due to the ongoing internet blackout across Iran.

“All the signals are that a U.S. attack [against Iran] is imminent, but that is also how this administration behaves to keep everyone on their toes. Unpredictability is part of the strategy,” a Western military official told Reuters.

Iran has issued a Notice-to-Airmen (NOTAM) closing the entirety of the country’s airspace to all commercial flights, besides international flights that have previous permission from the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization.

Iran has now been under a total internet blackout for 150 hours, it is extremely possible we won’t know about U.S. strikes until there is a report from international news networks and/or there is an official announcement from Iran or the United States.

Reports of fighter jets heard over Eastern Iraq.

Heavy aircraft activity also heard by residents within the last half hour over Northern Israel and Southern Syria.

The Pentagon has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and her Carrier Strike Group, consisting of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers; USS Spruance (DDG-111), USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), and USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121), to depart their current position in the South China Sea and steam towards the Middle East.

The Lincoln will take roughly a week to reach the U.S. Central Command’s Area-of-Responsibility in the Arabian Sea.

The U.K. Foreign Office has issued an advisory recommending against all but essential travel to Israel.

The Lufthansa Group, Germany’s flagship airline which also includes Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Eurowings, Swiss and ITA Airways, has announced that it will bypass the airspace over Iraq and Iran until further notice, “due to the current situation in the Middle East.” Additionally, Lufthansa stated that it would only operate daytime flights to Jordan beginning Thursday.

The U.S. Embassy in Doha has advised its personnel, as well as Americans in Qatar, to exercise increased caution and limit all non-essential travel to Al Udeid Air Base.