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Trump says he’s been assured Tehran has stopped killing protesters as Iran reopens its airspace – live

AI-generated videos purportedly depicting protests in Iran have flooded the web, researchers say, as social media users push hyper-realistic deepfakes to fill an information void amid the country’s internet restrictions. US disinformation watchdog NewsGuard said it identified seven AI-generated videos depicting the Iranian protests – created by both pro- and anti-government actors – that had collectively amassed about 3.5m views across online platforms. Among them was a video shared on Elon Musk’s X showing women protesters smashing a vehicle belonging to the Basij, the Iranian paramilitary force deployed to suppress the protests, reports Agence France-Presse. One X post featuring the AI clip – shared by what NewsGuard described as anti-regime users – garnered nearly 720,000 views. Anti-regime X and TikTok users in the US also posted AI videos depicting Iranian protesters symbolically renaming local streets after Donald Trump. The AI creations highlight the growing prevalence of what experts call “hallucinated” visual content on social media during major news events, often overshadowing authentic images and videos.

Is it the end of the line for one of India’s most distinctive garments?

It is one India’s most ubiquitous garments, with origins in the grand Mughal courts and Rajasthani kingdoms of times past, and still widely favoured by sharply dressed grooms at wedding receptions. But this week, the distinctive high-collared bandhgala jacket – known to many as the “princely jacket” in a nod to its royal origins – found itself at the centre of a lively debate after it was denounced by the Indian railways minister as a symbol of a “colonial mindset”. In an attempt to “banish” such colonial hangovers, Ashwini Vaishnaw has declared that the bandhgala will be immediately removed as part of the formal uniform of Indian Railways staff. “We have to get rid of all colonial mindset,” Vaishnaw said. “We need to find each of them and remove them, whether it’s in our working style or dressing style.” But while the tailored jacket became part of the Indian Railways uniform in the late 19th century, during the time of the British Raj, it has been denied that the coat itself is a colonial relic. Raghavendra Rathore, an Indian menswear designer and descendent of the royal family of Jodhpur in Rajasthan who pioneered the jacket’s design centuries ago, called the garment “India’s most refined expression of royal tailoring”. “I think it’s unfair to say this jacket is not part of our own history or it’s the costume of another culture,” Rathore said. “It has developed and evolved over four centuries, going back to the Mughal courts and the Rajasthan princely states. This jacket was here before the British arrived in Calcutta and it’s gone through a very fluid evolution since then.” For Rathore, whose fashion label has focused on the traditional cultures and craft of the bandhgala, it remains a distinctively Indian garment that encompasses layers of history. The now-ubiquitous closed neckline, the fitted and tailored torso and shaped shoulders of the jacket first emerged in the courts of Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. As the design evolved into a waist-length fitted jacket, it was then adopted in the courts of the Rajput warrior rulers and maharajas of Jodhpur, in what is now Rajasthan state, where it underwent further transformation and adaptation. The high neck was seen as particularly favourable for the chilly conditions of north India during the winter. By the 19th century, the jacket had been further modified by the Jodhpur royal family to make it suitable as an outfit for riding horses and playing polo, to be matched with tight breeches now known more commonly as jodhpurs. It was as a polo uniform that the bandhgala jacket became popularised in the west by the early 20th century. Far from being a western imposition, the adoption of the bandhgala jacket by Indian Railways in the late 19th century saw it replace more European-style frocks and tunics. Rathore acknowledged there was some colonial influence on the evolution of the jacket during the time of the Raj. Elements were copied from British military uniform jackets, such as certain trims and tailoring, and other paraphernalia that were added to the designs. But “the jacket itself always remained Indian”, he emphasised. The bandhgala is not the only relic to face the ire of the Hindu nationalist government of prime minister Narendra Modi, as it has pledged to free India from the legacy of more than 100 years of Britain’s cruel and exploitative colonial rule, which only ended in 1947. “The goal of a developed India is to remove any trace of the colonial mindset,” Modi said last year. After Indian independence, the bandhgala was reclaimed as a nationalistic garment, and kept on as a formal part of the railways uniform. While Rathore conceded it was not always the most practical item for those working on the railways – particularly in the high summer temperatures – he questioned what might be brought in to replace it. “There is much curiosity over what they will choose,” he said. “The hope is it’s not just an ordinary western suit.”

Ugandans to vote in election expected to extend Museveni’s four-decade rule

Ugandans are preparing to vote in an election that is expected to result in Yoweri Museveni extending his nearly four-decade grip on power in the east African country, after a campaign beset by violence. Security forces have frequently clamped down on supporters of Museveni’s main opponent, Bobi Wine, by teargassing and shooting bullets at events and detaining people. Authorities have also arrested civil society members and suspended rights groups. On Tuesday, they shut down internet access and limited mobile phone services countrywide. The actions have prompted fears of unrest around the polls, similar to the violence that followed the general election in Tanzania in October when hundreds of people were killed. Observers say the government’s reaction shows the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), is facing its biggest test yet, and the election risks further dividing Uganda. Museveni is seeking his seventh term, and most Ugandans have not lived under another president. Younger people, in particular, have connected with Wine, a 43-year-old singer turned politician, and say they are concerned about their futures. Museveni became Uganda’s ninth president in 1986 after leading rebels in a five-year civil war. He led the country to economic growth and democratic change after years of political decay by autocratic governments. But hopes of enduring change dwindled amid accusations of corruption, authoritarianism, repression and curtailment of judicial independence. Critics have also condemned his extended stay in office, achieved by using tactics to lengthen his term indefinitely including by twice changing the constitution. “[Wine’s] challenge has brought to the surface the character of the regime in terms of tolerating political alternatives or dissent,” said the political historian Mwambutsya Ndebesa. “The political class is getting more and more politically polarised. And that threatens the stability of the country because Uganda is prone to political instability.” In the run-up to the election, which will also feature parliamentary votes, police and the military have frequently broken up Wine’s campaign events using teargas and gunshots and by bludgeoning his supporters. At least one person has been killed and hundreds have been arrested. In December, police detained Sarah Bireete, a rights activist and government critic who had raised concerns about discrepancies in the registry of voters. On Tuesday, the government ordered several rights groups that have denounced violations during the campaign period to stop their work. A report by the UN human rights office last week accused Ugandan authorities of using laws enacted or amended since 2021 to entrench repression and restrict rights ahead of the election, which it said would take place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation. The government has said the actions of the security forces are in response to what it termed lawless conduct by opposition supporters. In a televised address on New Year’s Eve, Museveni advised security forces to use more teargas to break up the crowds of “the criminal opposition”. “Everything is done to frustrate and annoy,” said the human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza at a briefing on the election last week, referring to disruptions of opposition events by security agencies. Kiiza was allegedly tortured and detained without trial last year while representing the jailed opposition politician Kizza Besigye, who has been in prison for 14 months over what critics say are politically motivated charges, and Besigye’s aide Hajj Obeid Lutale. Museveni, 81, often credits NRM with bringing peace and development to Uganda. Under the slogan “protecting the gains”, he is promising wealth and job creation and to grow the economy partly through value addition for agricultural exports and oil production, which is expected to start this year. Festus Kezire, an NRM supporter in Serere district in eastern Uganda, said Museveni’s introduction of free primary and secondary education was one of the reasons he would vote for him. He said: “He has restored peace and stability in Uganda and this has helped end many years of civil strife.” Museveni is campaigning against seven opposition candidates, the main challenger being Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The two faced off in the last election in 2021, with Museveni winning with 58.38% of the vote and Wine garnering 35.08%. Wine’s manifesto promises “a complete reset of Uganda”, including by upholding human rights and ending corruption. Florence Naluyiba, an NUP supporter in Wakiso district in central Uganda, said she would vote for Wine because “Uganda needs change”. “Our dream is to have president who will prioritise social service delivery. Bobi Wine has taken the risk to stand up for Ugandans at the expense of his freedom.” Ndebesa, the historian, said the incumbent’s stranglehold on state power, resources and infrastructure gave him organisational advantages over Wine. “The winning [of Museveni] in Uganda is almost a given,” he said. However, observers are keen to see what the election will say about Museveni’s eventual succession. He has long been thought to be grooming his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his successor, although he has denied this. Across Uganda, 21.6 million people have registered to vote. Additional reporting by Samuel Okiror

Iran protest killings have halted, Trump claims, as Tehran says executions are ‘out of the question’

Donald Trump has said he has been assured the killing of protesters in Iran has been halted, adding that he would “watch it and see” about threatened US military action, as tensions appeared to ease on Wednesday night. Trump had repeatedly talked in recent days about coming to the aid of the Iranian people over the crackdown on protests that Iran Human Rights, a group based in Norway, said had now killed at least 3,428 people and led to the arrest of more than 10,000. But in a surprise announcement at the White House, Trump said he had received assurances from “very important sources on the other side” that Tehran had now stopped the use of lethal force on protesters, and that executions would not go ahead. “They’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place – there were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won’t take place – and we’re going to find out,” Trump said. He offered no details and noted that the United States had yet to verify the claims. Asked if US military action was now off the table, Trump replied: “We’re going to watch it and see what the process is.” Earlier, Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Fox News “there is no plan” by Iran to execute people in retaliation for the anti-government protests. “Hanging is out of the question,” he said. Erfan Soltani, the first Iranian protester sentenced to death since the current unrest began, was widely expected to be executed on Wednesday, but his family have since been told it has been postponed. The moves to de-escalate tensions follow a flurry of activity that sparked concerns military action could be imminent. Iran closed its airspace to almost all flights without explanation early on Thursday, and airlines including Lufthansa said its flights would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice”. Some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate, and the US embassy in Kuwait also ordered its personnel to temporarily halt going to the multiple military bases in the small Gulf Arab country. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia also urged staff to exercise caution and avoid military installations. A senior Iranian official said Tehran had told regional countries hosting US bases, such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, that it would attack those bases in the event of a US strike. In June, Iran struck al-Udeid after the US hit nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran, though the strike was telegraphed and largely symbolic. The UK temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, while Spain, Poland and Italy urged its citizens to leave the country. However, Iran’s airspace reopened hours later, and Araghchi used his Fox News interview to tone down the rhetoric, urging the US to find a solution through negotiation. Asked what he would say to Trump, Araghchi said: “My message is: Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don’t have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war.” The latest comments from Trump prompted a sharp 3% drop in oil prices, as concerns over possible disruption to global supplies lessened. Gold and silver also dipped on the news. Crude prices had surged over recent days as Trump talked about coming to the aid of Iranian protesters. In a Reuters interview on Wednesday night, Trump expressed uncertainty as to whether exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi would be able to muster enough support within Iran to challenge the regime. “He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country,” Trump said. “And we really aren’t up to that point yet. I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me.” The UN security council is slated to meet on Thursday afternoon for “a briefing on the situation in Iran,” according to a spokesperson for the Somali presidency. Foreign ministers from the G7 group said they were “prepared to impose additional restrictive measures” on Iran over its handling of the protests, and the “deliberate use of violence, the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics”. With Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse

Iranian airspace reopens – as it happened

It’s almost 7.30am in Tehran and 11pm in Washington DC and we’re about to close this blog and move our live coverage to another file here. Here’s a recap of the latest top newslines – thanks for being with us. Donald Trump says he has been assured that the killing of Iranian protesters has been halted, adding when asked about whether the threatened US military action was now off the table that he will “watch it and see”. The president said at the White House that “very important sources on the other side” had now also assured him that Iranian executions would not go ahead. “They’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place,” Trump said. “There were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won’t take place – and we’re going to find out.” Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News earlier that executions were not taking place, saying “hanging is out of the question”. “I can tell you, I’m confident that there is no plan for hanging,” he said. The family of Erfan Soltani has been told his execution has been postponed. Soltani is the first Iranian protester sentenced to death since the current unrest began. The United Nations security council is scheduled to meet on Thursday afternoon for “a briefing on the situation in Iran”, according to a spokesperson for the Somali presidency. The scheduling note said the briefing was requested by the US. Trump said Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi “seems very nice” but expressed uncertainty about whether Pahlavi would be able to muster support within Iran to eventually take over. “He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country,” Trump told Reuters in an Oval Office interview. “And we really aren’t up to that point yet. I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me.” Iran has reopened its airspace after a near-five-hour closure that forced airlines to cancel, reroute or delay some flights. Some US and UK personnel have been evacuated as a precaution from sites in the Middle East. The British embassy in Tehran has also been temporarily closed. Spain, Italy and Poland advised their citizens to leave Iran. It follows a call by the US urging its citizens to leave Iran, suggesting land routes to Turkey or Armenia. Iranian foreign minister Araghchi insisted the situation was “under control”, and urged the US to engage in diplomacy. “Now there’s calm. We have everything under control, and let’s hope that wisdom prevails and we don’t end up in a situation of high tension that would be catastrophic for everyone,” Araghchi said. The death toll in Iran from the regime’s crackdown stands at 2,571 people, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists news agency. More than 18,100 have been arrested, it said. Foreign ministers from the G7 group said they were “prepared to impose additional restrictive measures” on Iran over its handling of the protests, and the “deliberate use of violence, the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics”.

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy declares energy emergency as cities shiver

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to declare a state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector to tackle disrupted power supplies after heavy Russian attacks. Energy imports would also be increased, the Ukrainian president said. Emergency crews in Ukraine have proceeded with round-the-clock efforts to restore power and heating supplies at a time when night-time temperatures are dipping close to -20C (-4F). Zelenskyy said the state of emergency would allow authorities “more options and flexibility”. He called for the establishment of more centres where residents can stay warm and charge electronic devices, and said nightly curfews could be lifted in areas where the security situation permitted it. The president said Kyiv – whose mayor he regularly clashes with – had done considerably less than other major centres, notably Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, to prepare for the hardships inflicted by the attacks. “Even in recent days, I do not see sufficient intensity,” he said. “This must be urgently corrected. Decisions must be made.” The Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, countered that heating had been restored to all but about 400 of 6,000 affected apartment buildings and support centres were operating 24 hours a day. “Such statements, first of all, undermine the dedicated work of thousands of people, professionals,” Klitschko wrote. “They may not have weapons in their hands, but through their tireless efforts they are also fighting for their country.” Zelenskyy said a permanent coordination headquarters would be set up in Kyiv with Denys Shmyhal, the newly appointed first deputy prime minister and energy minister, overseeing the work. Donald Trump has again claimed Ukraine – not Russia – is holding up a potential peace deal, rhetoric that stands in marked contrast to that of European allies, who have consistently argued Moscow has little interest in ending its war in Ukraine. “I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump said of Vladimir Putin, in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday. “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.” Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds over the key issue of territory. There are few signs that Putin is prepared to soften his maximalist demands to end the full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy urged the military to hold their positions along the 1,200km (775-mile) frontline and diplomats to keep working on securing peace. “From our side, maximum productivity is required,” he said. “We expect the same level of energetic work from the American side. I personally very much expect this.” Ukraine will be able to buy military equipment from non-European suppliers when it is given access to a €90bn (£78bn) EU loan later this year under a proposal outlined by the EU executive, Jennifer Rankin writes from Brussels. “European preference first, but if not possible then purchase abroad,” said the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, who added that Europe should have a return in jobs and research benefits from the “billions and billions that are being invested”. Her proposal represents a softening of the approach pursued by France that favoured a more restrictive “buy European” clause. The commission said an alternative plan based on using Russia’s frozen assets remained on the table. Desertion by 200,000 troops and another two million people evading conscription are among many challenges facing the military, Ukraine’s new defence minister said on Wednesday. Mykhailo Fedorov told parliament that other problems included excessive bureaucracy, a Soviet-style approach to management, and disruptions in the supply of equipment to troops. “We cannot fight a war with new technologies but an old organisational structure,” Fedorov said. The defence ministry was facing a shortfall of 300bn hryvnia ($6.9bn) in funding, Fedorov said. On the upside he said some sectors had emerged from scratch, including private missile producers, which now number about 20, and more than 100 companies manufacturing ground-based robotic systems. The US treasury department has extended until 28 February a licence for companies to talk with Russian energy company Lukoil about buying its foreign assets. The US imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, Russia’s two biggest energy companies, on 22 October as part of an effort to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Lukoil put its $22bn in global assets up for sale shortly after. It has been hard-hit by the US sanctions, with overseas operations disrupted from Iraq to Finland.

Iran crisis explained: what we know so far

Iran reopened its airspace at 0300 GMT on Thursday after a near-five-hour closure amid concerns about possible military action between the US and Iran that forced airlines to cancel, reroute or delay some flights. In contrast to indications of an imminent US strike on Iran, Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had been told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran have stopped. He added: “There’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions – so I’ve been told that on good authority.” Earlier, reports suggested the US president had decided on military action but it was unclear what form it might take. On Wednesday night, Trump said: “We’re going to watch and see what the process is,” adding that he’s been given “a very good statement by people that are aware of what’s going on”. Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Fox News “there is no plan” by Iran to execute people in retaliation for the anti-government protests. “Hanging is out of the question,” he said. The family of Erfan Soltani, the first Iranian protester sentenced to death since the current unrest began, have been told his execution has been postponed. The US requested an emergency meeting of the UN security council on Iran on Thursday afternoon, a council diplomat said. Some US and UK personnel have been evacuated as a precaution from sites in the Middle East. The British embassy in Tehran has also been temporarily closed. India, Spain, Italy and Poland advised their citizens to leave Iran. It follows a call by the US urging its citizens to leave Iran, suggesting land routes to Turkey or Armenia. Araghchi insisted the situation was “under control,” and urged the US to engage in diplomacy. “Now there’s calm. We have everything under control, and let’s hope that wisdom prevails and we don’t end up in a situation of high tension that would be catastrophic for everyone,” Araghchi said. The death toll in Iran from the regime’s crackdown stands at 2,571 people, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists news agency (HRANA). More than 18,100 have been arrested, it said. Foreign ministers from the G7 group said they were “prepared to impose additional restrictive measures” on Iran over its handling of the protests, and the “deliberate use of violence, the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics”.

US and UK military withdraw some personnel from Middle East amid Iranian threats

The US and UK have evacuated some personnel from a military base in Qatar amid concerns Washington might soon launch military action against Iran, although tensions between the two countries appeared to lessen on Wednesday night. A US official told Reuters and the Associated Press on Wednesday that the withdrawal was a precaution, while diplomats said some forces had been advised to leave al-Udeid base in Qatar. The UK is also withdrawing staff from the base, the Guardian understands. In the early hours of Thursday, reports emerged that Iran had closed its airspace to all flights except international flights to and from Iran that had been given permission. The flight-tracking website Flightradar24 said the advisory was valid for a little more than two hours. Hours earlier, Lufthansa said its flights would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice”. The group, which includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss and ITA Airways, said in a statement that it was bypassing the airspace “due to the current situation in the Middle East” and that some flights could be cancelled. Lufthansa said it would operate its routes to Israel and Jordan as daytime flights from Thursday to Monday next week. In June, Iran struck al-Udeid after the US hit nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran, though the strike was telegraphed and largely symbolic. In contrast to indications of an imminent US strike, however, Donald Trump said he had been told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran had stopped, despite evidence to the contrary in Iran. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping – it’s stopped – it’s stopping,” said Trump. “And there’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions – so I’ve been told that on good authority.” He said military action was still on the table and that he would wait for next steps from Iran. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, insisted the situation in control was “under control,” and urged the US to engage in diplomacy. “Now there’s calm. We have everything under control, and let’s hope that wisdom prevails and we don’t end up in a situation of high tension that would be catastrophic for everyone,” Araghchi told Fox News. Iranian officials previously warned the US not to intervene in nationwide protests as Trump reviews options for a strike on the country. The US president had promised to “rescue protesters” if Iranian authorities carried on killing them. A senior Iranian official said Iran had told regional countries that host US bases, such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, that it would attack those bases in the event of a US strike. Israeli assessments, according to Reuters, indicate Trump has decided to intervene in Iran, but it is unclear what form or scale military action could take. Defying Trump’s threat, the Iranian government has signalled that detained protesters will face speedy trials and executions. Iran’s judicial chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, told state media: “If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly. If it becomes late, two months, three months later, it doesn’t have the same effect. If we want to do something, we have to do that fast.” Human rights groups have warned that executions of protesters could take place soon. A 26-year-old protester, Erfan Soltani, was slated to face execution on Wednesday, the first anti-government demonstrator to be given a death sentence. Soltani’s family said prison authorities had informed them that his execution had been postponed, without giving any further details. Trump warned on Tuesday that the US would take “very strong action” if executions of protesters began. “If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action,” Trump said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday. Neighbouring countries to Iran, including Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have reportedly discouraged the US from intervening in Iran, warning that doing so could ignite a “full-scale war”. Such a war would “certainly” have severe consequences “not only on the Middle East but on the global economy”, a Cairo-based diplomat told the Associated Press, pointing to a potential response by Iranian-backed militias across the region. A western official also told Reuters that while the unrest in Iran was happening on an unprecedented scale, the government did not seem likely to collapse and Iran’s security apparatus seemed firmly in control. The death toll in Iran has soared as authorities have carried out a brutal crackdown: 2,571 people have been killed and more than 18,100 arrested, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists news agency (HRANA). The death toll from the two-week protest movement dwarfs any other in Iran since its 1979 revolution. Protesters said there was a heavy security force on Wednesday as authorities carried out a mass funeral for 100 security forces killed in demonstrations. Tens of thousands of government supporters attended the funeral near Tehran University carrying pictures of the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and waving the Iranian flag. A presenter chanted as mourners gathered by trucks laden with Iranian-flag draped caskets, stacked three rows high. “All of our problems are because of America, today’s economic problems are because of American sanctions. Death to America!” the presenter yelled. Iranian state television has offered the first official acknowledgment of the deaths, quoting an official saying the country had “a lot of martyrs”. On Tuesday evening, the US state department warned American citizens to leave Iran immediately. Other western countries issued similar travel warnings. Earlier, Trump had posted a message of support to protesters on Truth Social. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” he wrote. “Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” In response, Iran’s UN mission said Washington’s “playbook” would “fail again”. The statement posted on X said: “US fantasies and policy toward Iran are rooted in regime change, with sanctions, threats, engineered unrest, and chaos serving as the modus operandi to manufacture a pretext for military intervention.” Iranian authorities claimed they had regained control of the country after successive nights of mass protests nationwide since Thursday, relaying messages to foreign counterparts that protests had been quelled. After authorities severed communications during the crackdown, Iranians were on Tuesday able to make phone calls abroad for the first time in days. Security service personnel have apparently been searching for Starlink satellite internet terminals, as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them in homes, and officials had broadly given up on enforcing the law in recent years. Activists said on Wednesday that Starlink was offering free service in Iran. Iranian state media have aired at least 97 confessions from protesters since 28 December, according to HRANA. The group said testimony it had collected from those released showed these confessions were coerced, often after torture. The group says such coerced confessions can lead to severe consequences, including state executions. With Associated Press and Reuters