Iran Protests Surge: Over 500 Dead, U.S. Considers Military Action, Trump Eyes Greenland Annexation – 1/13/2026, 4:24:25 PM

Top world news as of January 13, 2026, centers on escalating tensions in Iran amid deadly protests, U.S. threats of military action and tariffs, DOJ scrutiny of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and Trump’s annexation rhetoric toward Greenland.[1][2][3][4][5]

Iran Protests and U.S. Response

• Iranian authorities have cracked down harshly on anti-government protests, with activists reporting over 500 deaths, hundreds more killed in recent days, and at least 10,000 arrests; a media blackout persists beyond 100 hours.[1][2]
• Iran signals readiness for U.S. talks or war, as President Trump confirms Tehran’s negotiation interest while announcing steep tariffs on countries doing business with Iran and weighing military intervention to protect protesters.[1][2][3][4]
• Speculation grows on whether the regime will fall, with protests ongoing and the World Court hearing Myanmar’s Rohingya genocide case in parallel international scrutiny.[1][3]

U.S. Domestic and Economic Developments

• The U.S. Department of Justice threatens to indict Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, prompting White House denials of Trump’s involvement and alarms over potential economic fallout.[1][2]
• Nationwide U.S. protests continue over a Minneapolis ICE shooting death of Renee Good, with DHS defending the officer amid federal probes excluding state officials; separate Portland and L.A. incidents involve federal agents and anti-Iran demonstrations.[1]

Geopolitical Tensions: Greenland and Beyond

• Trump reiterates U.S. intent to acquire Greenland “whether they like it or not,” prompting meetings among Danish, U.S., and Greenland officials; EU figures like Vestager call it an existential NATO threat, while Germany pledges increased Greenland involvement.[1][3][5]
• Other flashes include Syrian army-Kurdish clashes in Aleppo breaking a ceasefire, Yemen’s regional conflicts, Philippines landfill collapse killing 6 with 31 missing, and U.K. probe into X over Grok AI’s explicit images.[1]

Additional Global Notes

• China warns against tariff wars in response to U.S. moves on Iran trade partners.[2]
• Protests outside Iran’s London embassy highlight European concern.[3]