The United States has claimed that Iran has suspended the death sentences of nearly 800 protesters. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt made the statement on Thursday, saying President Donald Trump’s administration is closely monitoring the situation in Iran. According to Levitt, the president has been informed that 800 executions have been halted, and all options remain open regarding the U.S. response.

The protests in Iran began on December 28 in response to the falling value of the Iranian rial and rising living costs, later evolving into anti-government demonstrations. President Trump has openly expressed support for the protesters and warned of possible tough measures against Tehran.

The White House’s remarks highlight Washington’s continued scrutiny of Iran’s internal unrest and signal potential diplomatic or policy actions depending on future developments.

At a White House meeting on January 15, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado symbolically presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump. Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in defending democracy and human rights. Following the meeting, Trump wrote on social media that the gesture represented a unique expression of mutual respect.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified its position beforehand, stating that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked. This means that even though the medal was handed to Trump, the recognition and honor remain with Machado. Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol after the meeting, Machado said the gesture symbolized the Venezuelan people's trust and gratitude toward Trump.

The event has sparked renewed discussion about political relations between the United States and Venezuela, as well as the future of the South American nation. Machado described her action as a symbol of international support for Venezuela’s struggle for freedom and democracy.

Arab allies of the United States have opposed any potential American military strike on Iran as protests in Tehran entered their 19th day. The demonstrations, which began on December 28 over rising prices and economic hardship, have turned violent. US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would take strong action if Iranian authorities suppress protesters, but Gulf Arab partners are urging restraint and diplomacy instead of aggression.

A Norway-based rights group, Iran Human Rights, reported that at least 3,428 protesters were killed during 18 days of unrest, citing Iranian health ministry sources. Iranian Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi dismissed the figures as propaganda by the US and Israel, claiming extremists infiltrated the protests. Trump said he received reports that killings had stopped but did not comment on possible military action.

Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar have called for diplomatic solutions, warning that a US attack could destabilize the region and damage their own security and economic image. Analysts noted that even Saudi Arabia, despite tensions with Iran, opposes a US strike fearing regional instability and Israeli dominance.

Saudi Arabia has launched a diplomatic initiative with Qatar and Oman aimed at preventing a potential US military attack on Iran. The move follows Washington’s call for its Gulf allies to prepare for possible conflict, which has raised deep concern across regional capitals. Riyadh fears that any escalation could severely damage its economy and provoke domestic unrest, particularly if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to be killed in such an attack.

Gulf states are also worried about the security of oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway crucial to global energy transport. About one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass through this strait, which separates Iran from its Arab neighbors. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have warned the White House that any attempt to overthrow Iran’s government could destabilize oil markets and ultimately harm the US economy.

According to reports cited from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Riyadh has assured Tehran it will not participate in any conflict and has refused to allow US forces to use its airspace for attacks. Gulf nations have also cautioned Washington against pursuing regime change in Tehran, warning it could trigger long-term regional instability.

Germany announced it will deploy troops to Greenland this week as part of a joint exploratory mission with other European nations. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to seize control of Greenland, according to a Reuters report. The German Defense Ministry said a 13-member Bundeswehr reconnaissance team will be stationed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, from Thursday at Denmark’s invitation.

Denmark’s Defense Ministry stated it is increasing its military presence in Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies. Sweden and Norway also confirmed they will send military personnel to the region. The mission, running from Thursday to Saturday, aims to assess potential military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring regional security.

France, the European Union’s only nuclear power, has also confirmed troop deployment to Greenland. The decision came after a high-level meeting in Washington involving officials from the United States, Denmark, and Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said his government’s attempt to change the Trump administration’s position on Greenland had failed. Following a meeting at the White House, Rasmussen confirmed that Washington’s stance remained unchanged and that President Donald Trump still appeared intent on asserting control over Greenland. The meeting involved Denmark and Greenland’s foreign ministers, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to AFP, the talks were aimed at easing tensions after Trump’s aggressive remarks toward NATO ally Denmark. Rasmussen stated that Denmark made clear such a move would not serve U.S. interests, emphasizing that despite long-standing American military bases in Greenland, any attempt to seize the territory was unnecessary. He described the issue as deeply emotional for both Danish and Greenlandic people, citing their sacrifices alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

To keep dialogue open, both sides agreed to form a joint committee within weeks to explore possible solutions. Earlier, Trump had argued that NATO should support U.S. efforts to control Greenland, calling the island vital for his proposed “Golden Dome” defense system.

Pakistan has continued sending Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. According to a report by The Express Tribune published on Thursday, a total of 988,812 Afghans have so far been repatriated. Data from the provincial Home and Tribal Affairs Department shows that among those returned, 230,470 held Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, 71,570 had Afghan Citizen Cards, and 686,772 were undocumented individuals.

On the previous day, Wednesday, 2,312 Afghan nationals were sent back through the Torkham border crossing. This group included 1,522 PoR cardholders, 277 Citizen Cardholders, and 513 undocumented persons. The repatriation process has intensified since border clashes began between Pakistan and its neighboring country.

The ongoing operation reflects Pakistan’s effort to manage cross-border movement amid heightened tensions, with the majority of returnees being undocumented Afghans.

The United States has officially started selling Venezuelan oil after taking full control of the country's oil resources following a military operation in Caracas. The operation, conducted on January 4, led to the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from their official residence. They are currently held in a federal prison in New York City, where U.S. authorities said they will face trial on drug trafficking charges. The first shipment of oil worth 500 million dollars has already been sold.

On January 7, President Donald Trump announced plans to bring Venezuelan oil to the United States, estimating the first shipment at 30 to 50 million barrels. Two days later, he met with top executives from major U.S. oil companies at the White House, predicting potential investments of at least 100 billion dollars in Venezuela’s oil sector. However, most executives expressed reluctance, citing legal and commercial complexities.

Venezuela holds about 303 billion barrels of crude oil, roughly one-fifth of global reserves, but produces only one million barrels per day. Its heavy crude requires specialized refining to produce high-quality diesel, asphalt, and industrial fuels.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that discussions are underway with several countries to sell Pakistani-made fighter jets. He stated that demand for the aircraft has increased following Pakistan’s military success against India in May 2025. The announcement was made during a cabinet meeting, according to Geo News.

Defence Production Minister Raja Hayat Harz confirmed in an interview with the BBC that Pakistan is negotiating potential deals for the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets with multiple countries. The aircraft is jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and Harz noted that any export agreement would require China’s consent due to its role in the jet’s development.

Reuters, citing government sources, reported that the discussions involve Libya, Sudan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. However, Harz declined to name any specific countries, describing the negotiations as confidential and refusing to disclose their current status.

The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln from the South China Sea to the Middle East amid ongoing tensions with Iran. According to the report, the carrier has already departed with its accompanying fleet, which includes destroyers, frigates, submarines, and other warships. News Nation reported that under Pentagon orders, the carrier strike group is expected to reach the US Central Command’s area of responsibility within a week.

The US Central Command oversees a region that includes the Middle East, northeastern Africa, and parts of Central and South Asia, covering a total of 21 countries. The deployment comes as part of Washington’s broader military posture in response to regional developments involving Iran.

The movement of the carrier strike group signals a potential increase in US military presence in the region, though the report does not specify further operational details or the duration of the deployment.

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a briefing on the situation in Iran at the request of the United States. A spokesperson for Somalia’s presidency, which currently holds the council’s rotating leadership, confirmed the plan. According to the scheduling note, the session will take place on Thursday afternoon, with member states expected to discuss the current circumstances surrounding Iran.

The note further stated that the United States formally requested the meeting. The briefing is considered significant in light of ongoing regional and international tensions involving Iran. The session aims to provide an opportunity for Security Council members to exchange views on developments affecting stability in the region.

While the source did not specify the exact agenda or expected outcomes, the meeting underscores heightened global attention to Iran’s role in regional affairs and the diplomatic efforts to address related challenges.

A leaked document has alleged that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided military, intelligence, and logistical support to Israel during its ongoing military operation in Gaza. The document reportedly proposed opening UAE military bases in the Red Sea region for Israeli use. The investigative platform Emirateleaks published the secret document, dated October 2023, which was addressed to the UAE Armed Forces Joint Operations Command and authored by Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representative of the Al-Dhafra region and chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority.

According to the report by Middle East-based outlet The Cradle, the document stated that following the October 7 attacks and under previous cooperation agreements with Israel, UAE bases in Yemen’s Al-Mokha, Eritrea’s Massawa and Assab, and Somalia were prepared to assist Israel. The bases were reportedly equipped with necessary resources to support Israeli operations against Palestinian resistance groups, with instructions for the UAE to play an active role until those groups were defeated.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s health authorities reported that 24 people, including 21 children, have died amid worsening humanitarian conditions and severe winter cold under the ongoing blockade.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has urged its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately. The advisory follows reports from human rights organizations that thousands of people have been killed or arrested during a government crackdown on widespread protests. The Indian Embassy in Tehran announced on social media that Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists, should depart using any available transportation.

According to the ministry’s estimates, around 10,000 Indian citizens are usually present in Iran. The embassy’s message, issued on Wednesday night, emphasized the need for all Indian nationals to prioritize their safety and make immediate travel arrangements.

The advisory reflects growing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Iran and signals India’s effort to ensure the safety of its nationals amid escalating unrest.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan on Wednesday through a post on social media platform X. According to Witkoff, this phase will focus on disarmament, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. He warned that Hamas must fully comply with its obligations under the agreement, including the handover of all Israeli hostages’ bodies, or face serious consequences.

The report stated that since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza over a two-year period. A fragile ceasefire has been in place in the enclave for the past three months. The first phase of the plan included the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages.

Witkoff thanked Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar for their mediation efforts, crediting them for the progress achieved so far. The US State Department welcomed Palestinian support for Trump’s 20-point plan, describing it as a positive step toward stability in the region.

Iran reopened its airspace after keeping it closed for nearly five hours due to concerns over possible military tensions with the United States. The temporary closure led several airlines to cancel, reroute, or delay flights. According to a notice published on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website, Iran announced the closure of its airspace to all flights at 5:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday, though government-authorized international flights were still allowed to enter and leave the country.

Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported that the notice was withdrawn shortly before 10 p.m. Eastern Time, equivalent to 0300 GMT. Following the reopening, five flights operated by Iranian carriers Mahan Air, Yazd Airways, and Ava Airlines resumed operations through Iranian airspace.

The temporary closure and subsequent reopening occurred against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, raising renewed concerns about the safety and stability of international air travel in the region.