Iran has been largely cut off from the world for the past four days amid intensifying nationwide protests. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States could intervene if Iranian security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Since the unrest began on December 28, at least 650 protesters have reportedly been killed, according to a human rights group.
Protests, which had spread across 27 provinces in 156 incidents by January 8, have sharply declined in recorded locations due to the nationwide internet shutdown, though monitoring groups suggest demonstrations continue in unreported areas. Video and geolocated footage show mosques in Tehran vandalized and set on fire, with Iranian authorities reporting 53 mosques and 180 ambulances damaged since the unrest began.
Amid the crisis, India Today tracked increased U.S. military activity at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar using flight-tracking data. The base, home to over 10,000 U.S. personnel, is one of the largest in the region and capable of hosting strategic bombers and transport aircraft. The heightened activity raises questions about a possible U.S. strike on Iran, though officials indicate Trump is weighing both military and diplomatic options.
Iran’s leadership has historically resisted negotiations over its nuclear program, missile development, and regional alliances. Previous U.S. and Israeli strikes in June 2025 targeted Iranian nuclear sites and weakened its air defenses, prompting retaliatory attacks on Al Udeid. Meanwhile, Trump has also imposed a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, using economic pressure to influence Tehran amid one of the deadliest anti-regime protests in recent years.
