Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey is ready to act as a mediator to reduce escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. He made the statement during a telephone conversation on Friday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. According to the Turkish Presidential Directorate of Communications, both leaders discussed the growing military tensions in the region and emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation to maintain stability.

Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to constructive diplomacy and expressed readiness to serve as a bridge between Tehran and Washington. In a statement published on the Iranian president’s official website, Pezeshkian said Iran’s policy is based on dignity-oriented diplomacy within the framework of international law. He stressed that Iran’s approach is grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and a win-win principle, rejecting threats and coercion.

Pezeshkian added that mutual trust is essential for launching an effective diplomatic process and that all parties must demonstrate goodwill and halt warlike and threatening activities across the region. In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that a large naval fleet led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was moving toward Iran, warning that Tehran’s time to reach an understanding with Washington was running out.

A powerful explosion struck an eight-story residential building on Moallem Boulevard in Bandar Abbas, Iran, causing severe structural damage and widespread panic. Rescue teams, firefighters, and emergency personnel rushed to the scene to assist residents, assess the extent of the destruction, and provide medical support. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blast and have launched an investigation.

Two floors of the building were destroyed, and nearby shops and vehicles suffered heavy damage. Residents were evacuated as a precaution, and local businesses reported significant losses. Officials confirmed that no specific individuals were targeted, and Iranian media dismissed reports linking the incident to a Revolutionary Guards commander. The government has pledged assistance for affected families.

Emergency teams continue search and rescue operations while engineers evaluate the building’s stability. Authorities are urging residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions as investigations proceed to identify the cause and prevent future incidents.

French authorities rescued more than 6,000 migrants attempting to reach the United Kingdom by small boats in 2025, according to a report from France’s maritime prefecture released on Friday. The report confirmed that at least 25 people died and two remained missing during these perilous journeys across the English Channel.

The annual report stated that despite the risks, attempts to cross the Channel increased compared to previous years. France has long served as a main departure point for migrants seeking better lives in the UK. In 2025, about 50,000 people tried to make the crossing in 795 boats, with 6,177 rescued alive. Based on French and British data, AFP estimated the death toll could be at least 29.

The prefecture warned that human traffickers are putting migrants in greater danger, noting that the average number of passengers per boat rose from 26 in 2021 to 63 in 2025. The report also mentioned continued use of so-called “taxi boats,” which secretly depart nearly empty and later pick up dozens of migrants in shallow waters.

The United Nations is facing a deep financial crisis that could bring its operations to a standstill, Secretary-General António Guterres warned in a letter to member states. He urged countries to clear their outstanding dues and implement structural reforms to prevent a severe breakdown. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said the organization currently lacks the liquidity to continue normal operations and called for immediate payments from member states.

According to official data, by the end of 2025, member states owed the UN a record 1.57 billion dollars. While no specific country was named, the ongoing global geopolitical situation was cited as a major factor. Analysts linked the crisis to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to several UN agencies and pursue alternative international initiatives. Human rights experts warned that such reluctance from major powers could weaken global efforts to uphold international law and human rights.

Guterres also criticized the rule requiring the return of unused funds each year, calling it unrealistic under current conditions. Only 36 of the 193 member states have paid their full 2026 dues, raising serious uncertainty about the UN’s financial future.

Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on Sunday, February 1, after two years of closure. The Israeli military announced on Friday that limited movement of people will be allowed in both directions as part of a ceasefire agreement in the blockaded Palestinian enclave. The reopening will be coordinated with Egypt and supervised by a European Union mission, with prior Israeli security clearance required for travelers.

According to the military statement, residents who left Gaza during the war will be permitted to return, subject to coordination with Egypt and Israeli approval. No immediate comments were available from Palestinian or Egyptian authorities. The crossing had been closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of it.

The Rafah crossing was originally scheduled to reopen under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement reached in October, but Israel delayed implementation until the recovery of the last hostage’s body. This condition caused several months of delay in enforcing the agreement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Moscow on Friday, according to the Kremlin. The meeting took place as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin welcomed Larijani, while Iran’s embassy in Moscow stated that the two discussed bilateral economic relations and key regional and international issues, though no further details were disclosed.

Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the visit had not been announced in advance and that Moscow has offered to mediate between Washington and Tehran. The meeting comes amid heightened friction between the US and Iran, with US President Donald Trump recently announcing that a “massive armada” was moving toward Iran and urging Tehran to return to negotiations.

The undisclosed details of the discussions suggest that Moscow may be seeking a diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, though the immediate outcomes of the meeting remain unclear.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara opposes any form of military intervention against Iran. He expressed hope that the Iranian people would resolve their internal issues peacefully without external interference. Fidan made the remarks during a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul on Friday, according to TRT World.

During the same event, Araghchi said that Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the United States on a fair and equal basis. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic would participate only if the discussions are conducted under equitable conditions. The comments came amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington in recent weeks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a “large armada” is moving toward Iran and urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table. Iranian officials have warned that any U.S. attack would be met with a “swift and extensive” response.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a plan to intensify attacks against Russian forces, aiming to ensure that Russian losses each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. In a January 26 address to military personnel, Zelensky said Ukrainian units must reach a level of destruction where Russia’s monthly casualties surpass its troop replacements, targeting around 50,000 Russian losses per month. He cited video analyses indicating that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October.

Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that more than 33,000 Russian soldiers were killed in December. Ukrainian authorities claim that since the war began, about 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed or injured, while Ukraine has suffered 600,000 casualties, including 140,000 deaths. The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar Russian losses but noted that Al Jazeera could not independently verify any figures.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize new territories despite heavy losses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong interest in strengthening relations with China, disregarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that such engagement could be “very dangerous” for Britain. During his visit to China, the first by a British leader in eight years, Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, emphasizing mutual cooperation and progress. The two countries signed several agreements, including visa-free travel for short-term British visitors, trade expansion, and collaboration against human trafficking.

The visit comes amid growing uncertainty over U.S. policies, prompting several Western leaders, including those from France, Canada, and Finland, to engage with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to “win-win cooperation” with all nations. Starmer noted that sanctions imposed on British lawmakers in 2021 had been lifted, signaling a reset in bilateral relations.

According to Downing Street, British companies secured export deals worth £2.2 billion, with an additional £2.3 billion in market opportunities expected over the next five years, alongside significant new investments.

South Africa has expelled Israeli diplomat Ariel Sidman, declaring him persona non grata for alleged violations of diplomatic norms. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced on Friday that Sidman, the chargé d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, was given 72 hours to leave the country. Authorities accused him of actions that challenged South Africa’s sovereignty and breached acceptable diplomatic conduct.

According to the department’s statement, Sidman allegedly launched insulting attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa through social media and deliberately failed to inform the ministry about a purported visit by senior Israeli officials. The statement described his behavior as a severe abuse of diplomatic privileges and a fundamental violation of the Vienna Convention, undermining trust and protocol essential to bilateral relations.

The department urged the Israeli government to ensure that its future diplomatic activities respect the principles of the Republic of South Africa and established norms of international engagement.

More than 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed in Rubaya, eastern Congo’s North Kivu province. The mine, located about 60 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital Goma, caved in on Wednesday. Reuters reported that the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

Lumumba Kambere Muisa, spokesperson for the M23 rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu, said some people were rescued in time after the collapse, while others were seriously injured. Around 20 injured individuals are receiving treatment at a local health center. Iraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor, told AFP on Friday that several bodies had been recovered but did not specify the total number of victims.

A provincial adviser, speaking anonymously to Reuters, estimated the death toll at over 200. Miner Frank Bolingo said many people were still believed to be trapped inside the mine, indicating that rescue operations were continuing.

The United Nations has reported that at least 170 civilians were killed in more than 400 airstrikes conducted by Myanmar’s military during a two-month voting period. The information was released from Geneva on Friday, citing data verified by the UN human rights office. According to the report, the attacks occurred between December 2025 and January 2026, coinciding with the country’s election process.

The UN human rights office stated that the figures were based on credible sources and confirmed that approximately 408 airstrikes took place during the election period. The organization also warned that the actual death toll could be higher than the confirmed number of 170.

The report underscores growing international concern over civilian safety in Myanmar amid ongoing military operations during politically sensitive periods.

The United States has approved major arms sales worth several billion dollars to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, citing heightened tensions surrounding Iran in the Middle East. Washington announced the decision on Friday. According to the US State Department, the deal with Israel includes 30 Apache attack helicopters valued at $3.8 billion, along with $1.8 billion in joint light tactical vehicles. The approval came shortly after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department reaffirmed that ensuring Israel’s security remains closely tied to US national interests.

In a separate agreement, the US also authorized the sale of about $9 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, including 730 Patriot missiles designed to intercept aerial attacks. The move follows last year’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and widespread protests in Iran that led to heavy casualties. While Saudi Arabia is not a close ally of Iran, it has maintained a cautious stance to avoid direct conflict. Gulf nations fear that escalating instability could harm their business-friendly image.

Efforts by Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel have stalled amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Palestinian territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new military strategy aimed at inflicting heavier losses on Russian forces as the war enters its fourth year. In a January 26 address to military personnel, he said Ukrainian units must ensure that Russian casualties each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. Zelensky mentioned a target of around 50,000 Russian losses per month, calling it the optimal level to weaken the invading forces.

Citing video analyses, Zelensky claimed that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October. Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, separately stated that more than 33,000 Russian troops were confirmed killed in December. Ukraine estimates that since the war began, 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed or disabled, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar figures. Al Jazeera noted that none of these casualty numbers could be independently verified.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize additional territory despite heavy losses.

A US military ship is preparing to anchor in the Gulf of Aqaba, south of Israel’s port city of Eilat, as part of enhanced military readiness amid growing regional tensions and the possibility of an attack on Iran, Israel’s state broadcaster KAN reported on Thursday, citing Anadolu Agency. According to unnamed security sources, the move is part of US-Israel military and security coordination, which includes naval deployment and increased defensive and offensive preparedness.

The report said Israeli security agencies are closely monitoring US movements, anticipating potential actions related to Iran. Concerns have also been raised about possible regional reactions if the situation worsens. During Israel’s weekly military security review on Thursday, the Iran issue was discussed in detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss Iran. Axios reported that Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings with Pentagon, CIA, and White House leaders, while Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to emphasize diplomatic solutions in his meetings with US officials.