US President Donald Trump said Washington has not shared its plans on the Iran issue with Gulf allies. Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, he stated that the United States cannot disclose its strategy. Trump added that Iran is in communication with the US, and the outcome of those talks remains uncertain.

His remarks were later posted on the social media platform X, where he revealed that Washington is sending a “massive naval fleet” toward the region. According to Trump, this deployment is larger than the force sent before a previous US military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained.

Trump acknowledged that discussions with Tehran are ongoing but said it is unclear what results they will yield. He recalled that during earlier talks, Iran’s nuclear program had to be halted by the US, but that effort was unsuccessful, prompting alternative measures.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a new peak, with Iranian authorities confirming preparations for thousands of graves near Tehran. According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, the graves are being dug at Behesht-e Zahra, the capital’s largest cemetery, as a precautionary measure in anticipation of a potential military conflict. Iranian officials described the move as part of readiness efforts should U.S. attacks result in casualties.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of possible military action against Iran if it fails to halt its nuclear program and continues suppressing anti-government protests. A U.S. strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is reportedly moving toward Iranian waters. Trump stated that while the United States does not seek war, it will act if compelled by circumstances.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and civilian in nature, while keeping the door open for fair and balanced dialogue. The country has also added around one thousand new tactical drones to its forces, and reports of mysterious explosions in Tehran have heightened public anxiety. Analysts warn that the mutual threats and military buildup could destabilize the Middle East further.

At least 37 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across several areas of the Gaza Strip within the past 24 hours, despite a ceasefire being in effect. Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday that the dead included women, children, and seven members of a single family. Gaza’s Civil Defense said the attacks began early Saturday, killing at least 32 people and injuring many others.

Medical sources confirmed that five people, including three children and two women, were killed when an apartment building was hit in Gaza City’s Rimal area. In Khan Younis, seven members of one family died when a tent sheltering displaced people was struck. Witnesses also reported injuries from a strike on a residential building in Gaza City’s Al-Tuffah area. Additional airstrikes were carried out in Al-Jalla Street and the Bureij refugee camp, though casualties there were not immediately known.

According to Anadolu’s correspondent, Israeli forces had issued evacuation warnings before striking an administrative building at the Gaith camp near Al-Ribat College in Khan Younis, which housed hundreds of displaced people.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has called on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to conduct its announced two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz safely and professionally. In a statement released on Friday, CENTCOM acknowledged Iran’s right to operate in international airspace and waters but warned that any unsafe or unprofessional behavior could have serious consequences.

CENTCOM emphasized that unsafe actions near US forces, regional partners, or commercial vessels increase the risk of conflict, tension, and instability. The command stated it remains prepared to ensure the safety of US personnel, ships, and aircraft operating in the Middle East. It also declared that it would not tolerate unsafe maneuvers by the IRGC, including low or armed overflights of US military assets, high-speed approaches toward US ships, or pointing weapons at US forces.

According to CENTCOM, the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway vital to regional economic prosperity, with about 100 commercial vessels passing through daily.

Israeli forces launched extensive airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Saturday, resulting in at least 19 deaths, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera. The attacks began at dawn and targeted multiple areas, including Khan Younis and Gaza City. In the northwest of Khan Younis, an airstrike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in the Al-Mawasi area. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, a police headquarters was bombed, killing at least seven people.

Earlier reports indicated that five people were killed in central Gaza and seven in the southern Al-Mawasi area. The information was confirmed by medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, who relayed details to Al Jazeera Arabic. The strikes mark another escalation in violence in the densely populated enclave, where repeated bombardments have caused significant civilian casualties.

The report did not include official statements from Israeli authorities or details on the intended targets beyond those described by local sources.

At least 12 Palestinians, half of them children, were killed early Saturday in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to reports. In the northwest of Khan Younis, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in the Al-Mawasi area, killing at least seven, including three children. Their bodies were taken to Nasser Medical Complex. In Gaza City, emergency services reported that another airstrike on an apartment building in the western Rimal neighborhood killed at least five people, including three children, while eight others were injured in a separate bombing in the Daraj area.

The attacks came a day before Israel announced it would reopen the Rafah crossing on Sunday. Gaza’s government media office stated that since a ceasefire brokered by the United States took effect on October 10, at least 524 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces.

The renewed strikes highlight ongoing tensions in Gaza despite the declared ceasefire, raising concerns about civilian safety and the fragile humanitarian situation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas at the request of US President Donald Trump. The Kremlin announced on Friday that the pause will remain in effect until Sunday. According to reports from Kyiv, Trump made the personal appeal due to fears of a humanitarian crisis caused by an intense cold wave. The Kremlin said the request was part of US efforts to advance mediation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Continuous Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left many parts of Kyiv without heating. Weather forecasts predict temperatures could drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days, worsening the crisis. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump asked Putin to suspend attacks until February 1 to create a favorable environment for peace talks, though neither Moscow nor Washington specified when the request was made.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s announcement, saying Ukraine would refrain from retaliatory strikes if Russia halts attacks on its energy facilities. He added that the countdown for the one-week pause had already begun and that the next steps depend on Ukraine’s partners, particularly the United States.

Iran announced on Sunday that it will conduct a two-day naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, including live-fire drills, amid ongoing tensions with the United States. The announcement prompted a stern warning from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which cautioned Tehran against any unsafe actions near American warships.

Washington stated that it would not tolerate any unsafe behavior such as Iranian drones or aircraft flying over US vessels or high-speed Iranian boats provoking collisions. The warning came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that his country was ready for a “fair and proper” negotiation but rejected President Trump’s main demands, making clear that Iran’s defense strategy and missile program were non-negotiable.

The exchange underscores the continuing strain between Tehran and Washington, with both sides signaling firmness over military and strategic issues in the Gulf region.

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.