Iran’s theocracy has faced down protests and U.S. threats in the past, and the crackdown showed the iron grip it holds over the country. This week, authorities organized pro-government rallies with hundreds of thousands of people to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The BBC visits the Iranian capital for the first time since authorities used unprecedented force to put down protests last month.

President Trump on Friday said he is hopeful U.S. negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program will be successful, but he warned that if they fail, it would be a “bad day” for Tehran. As the U.S. builds up its defense forces in the Middle East,

Iran rejects U.S. demands to negotiate ballistic missile program as tensions escalate across Middle East despite ongoing diplomatic talks in Oman.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to push Trump at a meeting Wednesday to include Tehran's ballistic missile arsenal in any nuclear deal.

By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Feb 13 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump told U.S. troops on Friday that Iran has been “difficult” in nuclear negotiations and suggested that instilling fear in Tehran may be necessary to resolve the standoff peacefully.

The USS Ford set out on deployment in late June 2025, which means the crew will have been deployed for eight months in two weeks time. While it is unclear how long the ship will remain in the Middle East, the move sets the crew up for an usually long deployment.