Iran’s Intensifying Protests Escalate Amidst Nationwide Blackout and Harsh Crackdown – 1/10/2026, 4:24:22 PM

Here are some of the most significant world stories as of today, drawn from major international bulletins published this morning and midday:

• Intensifying protests and crackdown in Iran
  • Large anti-government demonstrations are continuing in Tehran and other cities despite a nationwide internet and telephone blackout.[2]
  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused protesters of “ruining their own streets” to please US President Donald Trump.[2]
  • State media are branding demonstrators as terrorist agents of the US and Israel, while rights activists report at least 42 deaths and more than 2,270 arrests.[2]
  • Geo News and other outlets describe the situation as increasingly deadly, with heightened security measures and growing international concern.[1][2]
• US seizes another sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela
  • US forces say they have boarded and seized another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean, accused of attempting to evade the US naval blockade on Venezuelan oil exports.[2]
  • Washington asserts it will control global distribution of Venezuela’s oil and share part of the proceeds with the Venezuelan population through accounts it controls, intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.[2]
• EU–Mercosur trade deal finally advances
  • A qualified majority of EU member states has given the green light to the long-delayed trade agreement with Mercosur, ending more than two decades of negotiations.[2]
  • The deal still requires European Parliament consent, and EU leaders are expected to travel to Latin America to formally sign the agreement.[2]
• Iran–US tensions and regional reactions
  • The Iranian government is blaming “foreign support” for fueling protests, while regional actors and Western governments are closely watching the risk of further escalation.[1][2]
  • US officials have warned they may intervene if Tehran launches a severe crackdown on demonstrators.[2]
• Space: NASA cuts short an ISS mission
  • In a rare move, NASA is shortening a mission aboard the International Space Station after an astronaut experienced a medical issue, prompting an adjusted rotation plan.[2]

If you want, I can focus in more depth on one of these (for example, Iran’s protests, Venezuela oil sanctions, or the EU–Mercosur deal).