Iran Protests Live Updates: Diplomatic Contact Suspended Between Washington, Tehran

Iran’s missile stockpile has increased since last year’s 12-day war with Israel, the Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Commander Majid Mousavi said on Wednesday, according to state media. Mousavi added that Iran is at the “peak of its readiness,” with wartime damage repaired and production in the guards’ aerospace forces now higher than before June 2025.

Direct communications between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Special Envoy Steve Wittkopf have been suspended, a senior official told Reuters on Wednesday. This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s threats of intervention as Iran cracks down on protests.

Three diplomats told Reuters that some US personnel had been advised to leave Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the main American air base in the region, by Wednesday evening. However, they said there were no signs of a large-scale evacuation like the one carried out last year before an Iranian missile attack on the base.

Iran on Wednesday warned neighbouring countries that host US troops that American bases in the region could be targeted if Washington intervenes in protests inside Iran, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

The warning comes as US President Donald Trump has openly threatened to support protesters in Iran, where unrest has spread across the country and security forces have launched a harsh crackdown.

China has said it supports Iran in maintaining stability and opposes any foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also criticised US tariffs, saying tariff wars have no winners. He said China would firmly protect its legitimate interests and reject the use or threat of force in international relations.

Exiled former Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iran’s military to side with protesters and protect civilians. In a post on X, he said global attention was turning into action and encouraged demonstrators to continue resisting. He warned against allowing authorities to project an illusion of normalcy.

Pahlavi is the son of Iran’s last shah and was named crown prince as a child.

US President Donald Trump heightened uncertainty around Washington’s next steps on Iran after saying “help is on its way” for Iranian protesters, before urging Americans to leave the country amid widening unrest.

Trump was asked to clarify what he meant by his earlier statement promising “help” to protesters in Iran. “You’re going to find out soon,” he replied, before adding, “It’s a good idea for Americans to leave Iran.”

Protests in Iran: Follow the live updates

Iran is reportedly set to execute its first protester following mass arrests in connection with the widespread anti-regime demonstrations. The 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested on January 8 for participating in the nationwide protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Karaj near Tehran, is scheduled to be hanged to death on Wednesday without getting a proper trial, according to human rights groups.

Protests in Iran: Follow the live updates

Iranian authorities are preparing to execute a 26-year-old man in what would be the first reported hanging linked to the nationwide anti-Khamenei protests. The execution is reportedly planned for Wednesday, January 14.

Erfan Soltani was arrested on January 8 in the city of Karaj for taking part in demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Iranian Kurdish rights group Hengaw said Soltani’s execution is scheduled for Wednesday and that officials have told his family the sentence is final. Protests have spread across Iran since early January.

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will take “very strong action” if Iran begins executing protesters.

Amid violent protests, Iran’s internet blackout has now lasted for 130 hours.

After Donald Trump warned Iran against violence and executions, senior Iranian official Ali Larijani hit back, accusing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of killing the Iranian people.

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah and a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition, in his latest message to Iranians, urged them to continue their fight against the current regime and acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s “help on its way” post.

Read More: ‘Continue The Fight’: Reza Pahlavi’s Message To Iranians Amid Trump’s ‘Help On Its Way’ Post

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani expressed Doha’s support on Tuesday for “all efforts aiming to de-escalate and peaceful solutions” in the Middle East.

The comments came during a phone call he received from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, the Gulf country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X. During the call, he also reiterated Qatar’s support for all efforts that enhance security and stability in the region.