Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei publicly admitted that “several thousand people” were killed during the nationwide protests, the first time the regime has acknowledged casualties on this scale.

In his January 17 speech, Khamenei called the unrest an “American plot” and insisted that while Iran has no intention of going to war, “domestic criminals” would not go unpunished.

He claimed some protesters were misled by “lies,” yet accused them of killing “thousands.” The regime continues to deny responsibility for the deaths, contradicting earlier official statements that only “a few hundred” people had been killed.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that Ukraine cannot and will not "win" the war in the traditional sense, but that its true victory lies in survival and resilience.

Crosetto emphasized that Ukraine continues to stand firm despite overwhelming odds. He added that neither Italy, Ukraine, Europe, nor NATO started this war. It was launched by one clear aggressor, and only that aggressor can bring it to an end.

UK officials have raised serious concerns that Iranian security forces may have used chemical or toxic substances to suppress protests.

According to a GB News broadcast, the allegations came from an internal report described as “credible,” though not yet verified by Western intelligence. British MP Bill Esterson presented the findings, which outline mass arrests, overcrowded prisons, and courtrooms packed with detainees’ families.

Lawyers are reportedly being denied entry, preventing legal defense for those arrested.

Activist Ilia Hashemi reports that nationwide strikes continue across Iran. Security forces maintain near-martial-law conditions, with checkpoints and patrols creating a climate of fear. In several cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, Hamedan, and Zahedan, Iraqi militia members linked to the Hashd al-Shaabi have reportedly been seen at checkpoints.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic has introduced a new state-controlled digital system called “Iran.ir,” inspired by China and North Korea, to centralize access to online services and tighten state monitoring.

Ukrainian forces struck Russian drone operator positions with GBU-39 precision bombs. According to military sources, the airstrike hit a concentration of enemy personnel, destroying positions and equipment.

Donald Trump announced new tariffs on eight European countries, saying the US will impose a 10% duty on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting Feb 1, 2026. The rate would rise to 25% by June unless a “deal” is reached for the “purchase of Greenland.”

What an absolute moron.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister held a detailed phone call with Lithuania’s Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, expressing gratitude for Lithuania’s consistent support.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Lithuania has provided power plant and nuclear plant equipment that helped restore damaged energy systems in several regions. It also supplied over 2,000 solar panels and other technical aid, contributing €5.7 million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund.

Lithuania is preparing a new government decision to deliver additional power generation equipment to Kyiv and other critical regions. Ukraine thanked Lithuania for its unwavering solidarity and energy support.

In an interview with POLITICO, Donald Trump said it is “time to look for new leadership in Iran,” sharply criticizing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for ruling through violence and fear.

The comments followed a series of posts from Khamenei’s X account accusing Trump of causing unrest and casualties in Iran. Trump called Khamenei a “sick man” who has led his nation into destruction and said Iran has become “the worst place to live” due to failed leadership.

The remarks come amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran after weeks of protests and bloodshed across Iran.

Argentina’s government, led by President Javier Milei, has officially designated Iran’s Quds Force and 13 affiliated individuals as terrorists.

According to the statement, the Quds Force, part of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was added to Argentina’s registry of entities linked to terrorism and terrorist financing. Authorities said the group has played a role in training and carrying out attacks abroad.

The decision, coordinated among Argentina’s foreign, security, and justice ministries, introduces financial sanctions and operational limits against those involved.

Milei said his government will take a firm stance against networks it identifies as terrorist, aligning policy with Western partners and countering violence and extremism.

More footage. A strike in occupied Melitopol reportedly hit a substation, triggering a fire and a strange glow in the sky.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned that, according to intelligence data, Russia is preparing strikes on substations that supply power to Ukraine’s nuclear plants.

Sybiha said Ukraine is sharing all available information with international partners and alerting them to the catastrophic risks such attacks would pose.

He called on the IAEA and the global community to take decisive action to stop Russia from carrying out these dangerous plans.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson sharply responded to Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs and his comments about Denmark and Greenland.

Kristersson said Denmark and Greenland decide their own affairs and declared, “We will not be blackmailed.” He added that this issue goes beyond just a few countries, stressing that it concerns the entire European Union.

Sweden, he said, is now engaged in intensive talks with other EU states, Norway, and the United Kingdom to form a coordinated and united response to Washington’s move.

A large-scale blackout hit the Russian city of Yeysk. Local reports say the entire city and nearby areas lost power, though the cause has not been officially confirmed.

But one can guess.