16.01.2026 09:41
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have requested U.S. President Donald Trump to postpone possible attack plans against Iran. An official from one of the Gulf countries also stated that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt have recently made similar requests to the Washington administration due to concerns that a possible attack on Iran could lead to a large-scale regional conflict.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the approach of other countries in the region to the U.S. plans to attack Iran. Officials from the U.S. government speaking to the newspaper stated that Netanyahu spoke with Trump on January 14 and requested him to postpone the attack plans against Iran.
CRITICAL MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Unnamed officials reported that Netanyahu also met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on January 13, and on the day of the meeting, Trump's senior advisors gathered at the White House to evaluate military options.
An official from the Gulf countries also stated that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt have recently made similar requests to the Washington administration due to concerns that a possible attack on Iran could lead to a large-scale regional conflict. The same official noted that these Arab countries have also communicated with the Tehran administration, warning them not to attack other countries in the region if they are attacked.
U.S. MILITARY FORCES HEADING TO THE REGION
Two government officials speaking to the newspaper stated that the U.S. Department of Defense is sending additional weapons and defense equipment to the region. The officials reported that the aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln" and some accompanying warships are moving from the South China Sea towards the Middle East.
Officials noted that a series of warplanes consisting of attack aircraft and refueling planes are also expected to arrive in the region soon, and air defense equipment has been sent in anticipation of possible retaliation. They stated that the armament in the region aims to prevent Tehran from using violence against protesters and to keep more options available for planning attacks.
PROTESTS IN IRAN
Protests that began on December 28, 2025, led by shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran due to the rapid depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies and the deepening economic troubles spread across the country.
After the events that escalated during the protests in the capital Tehran on January 8, the country’s administration blocked internet access.
While there has been no statement from Iranian officials regarding the total number of deaths or injuries in the incidents, the U.S.-based Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 2,677 people lost their lives and 19,097 were detained during the protests.