Timeline: Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions since January 2026

Protests had erupted in numerous Iranian cities since December 28, 2025, triggered by rising prices and currency depreciation. The unrest, which led to casualties and property damage, quickly became a focal point in U.S.-Iran tensions. Washington has increasingly linked the domestic turmoil to Iran's nuclear program and regional disputes, citing it to justify its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran. Below is a timeline of key developments since January 2026, highlighting actions and responses from both sides.

- U.S.: President Donald Trump warned that Washington was closely monitoring Iran's handling of protests and said the U.S. was "locked and loaded and ready to go" if Iran "shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters."

- Iran: Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, wrote on the social media platform X that the remarks constituted interference, accusing the United States and Israel of inciting unrest and using Iran's internal affairs as a pretext for intervention.

- U.S.: The New York Times reported that Trump had reviewed military strike options against Iran. Trump again warned on social media that the U.S. "is ready to help the protesters in Iran."

- Iran: The Supreme National Security Council said the protests had turned into a national security threat under U.S. and Israeli orchestration. The military pledged to defend strategic infrastructure and urged national unity against "enemy plots."

January 12

- U.S.: The State Department issued a security alert advising U.S. citizens to leave Iran. The White House was reportedly discussing military response options, including "taking tougher actions" against Iran. Trump also announced a 25-percent tariff on countries maintaining commercial ties with Iran, calling it a "final and immediate" decision.

- Iran: Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran was ready for negotiations, provided they are fair and based on "mutual respect," stressing that his country did not seek war but was fully prepared for it.

- U.S.: U.S. media reported that Trump was considering multiple options, including cyber operations, expanded sanctions and military options. Trump said in a social media post that he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials, adding that "help is on the way" without elaborating further.

- Iran: Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any violation of Iranian territory would be met with a stronger response.

- U.S.: The U.S. began withdrawing some personnel from major Middle East bases. An MQ-4C drone conducted patrols along Iran's borders, supported by a C-130J transport aircraft operating from Qatar.

- Iran: Tehran intensified diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, including Qatar, Türkiye and Iraq, condemning the U.S. for instigating tensions.

- U.S.: Washington sanctioned 11 individuals and 13 entities, including senior Iranian security officials, while deploying an additional aircraft carrier and missile defense assets to the Middle East. The White House said "all options remain on the table for the president."

- Iran: Iran temporarily closed its air space and reopened after five hours. Foreign Minister Araghchi wrote to the UN secretary-general condemning U.S. threats and pushed for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

- U.S.: Trump said he had decided on his own not to launch military strikes against Iran.

- Iran: Security officials stated that approximately 3,000 members of terrorist organizations and participants in the riots had been arrested so far.

- U.S.: Trump warned Iran that it would face harsher consequences than those in June 2025 if it continued executing protesters or restarting key nuclear activities.

- Iran: Araghchi said any new attack on Iran would trigger a firm response, reiterating readiness for a fair agreement based on mutual respect.

- U.S.: The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Middle East and began operations under U.S. Central Command.

- Iran: Mohseni Sani, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated in an interview that in response to the current military deployments of adversaries, the Iranian armed forces had entered a state of full alert.

- U.S.: Trump announced a second naval force was heading toward Iran, warning that failure to reach a deal would lead to a more devastating strike. The U.S. launched large-scale air force exercises.

- Iran: Iran began three days of live-fire drills near the Strait of Hormuz.

- U.S.: Trump said the U.S. fleet, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was "ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission," and that the naval force in the Gulf was larger than the one he sent to Venezuela before. He warned Iran that time to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program was "running out." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military was ready to execute any presidential decision.

- Iran: Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, warned that any U.S. military action would prompt immediate, comprehensive retaliation against the U.S. and its allies.

- U.S.: The Treasury imposed new sanctions on seven Iranian individuals, including Iran's interior minister, and two entities, for the first time targeting an IRGC-linked cryptocurrency exchange. A U.S. destroyer docked in Israel's port of Eilat. Trump said Iran had been informed of a deal deadline but declined to specify it.

- Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian told regional leaders that Iran did not seek war but would respond decisively to aggression. Foreign Minister Araghchi rejected coercive U.S. negotiating terms and called for talks without preconditions.

- U.S.: Trump said Iran was "seriously" engaging in talks and expressed hope for a mutually acceptable deal, warning that a larger U.S. fleet was already en route if diplomacy failed.

- Iran: Army Chief Amir Hatami said Iran had entered full defensive and combat readiness. Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said Tehran was preparing for talks with the U.S., and efforts to get a framework for negotiations were advancing.

In January 2026, U.S.-Iran tensions approached the brink of military conflict, with both sides balancing deterrence and restraint. Washington relied on sanctions, force deployments and allied coordination, while Tehran responded with military drills, diplomatic outreach and domestic mobilization. Tentative diplomatic signals emerging at the end of the month brought a glimmer of hope for de-escalation, but core differences over Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and regional influence remain unresolved. Iran has announced that the IRGC Navy will conduct live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1-2, a key test for the fragile balance between escalation and diplomacy.