Iran latest: US warned attack could 'trigger volcano' in region

We've got an update from the European Union, with foreign ministers adopting fresh sanctions against Iran.

It targets individuals and entities involved in the violent crackdown on protesters, as well as support for Russia.

The ministers are due to reach a political agreement to include Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ‍on the bloc's list of terrorist organisations (see 9.28).

It would put the group on the same level as the Islamic State and al Qaeda. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has urged restraint between the US and Iran.

He said Moscow "urges restraint on all sides", adding any use of force against Tehran could create regional chaos and "lead to very dangerous consequences".

Earlier, a senior Lebanese Hezbollah official warned that an attack could "trigger a volcano in the region" (see 10.18). 

It is worth reminded here that Russia is at war with Ukraine after it launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

By John Sparks, international correspondent

In Iran, the climate of fear has been restored after the clerics who run this country successfully crushed a nationwide revolt.

Yet their determination to stay in power is matched by their efforts to conceal what has happened.

Iran's communications blackout - which began on 8 January - has eased somewhat, with sporadic internet access now possible.

But it remains difficult to communicate with people inside the country, who must find both the courage and the practical means to reach out.

Watch: Yaser Rahmani-Rad speaks to Paste BN

Dr Yaser Rahmani-Rad wants his voice to be heard. 

A specialist in internal medicine at a public hospital in Tehran, he told Paste BN what he saw as the regime launched its crackdown in the capital.

"Pressure was being put on nurses and doctors to clear out the emergency department. In other words, any patient who was there - whether they had clear medical indications or not - was told to be discharged. They wanted the emergency ward emptied for security forces who had been injured."

A senior Lebanese Hezbollah official has warned the US an attack on Iran could "trigger a volcano in the region", according to Iranian state-owned Press TV.

Nawaf al Moussawi added that Donald Trump is looking to strike a deal with Iran or dismantle the regime.

Moussawi said that Washington could launch an attack, but "what holds the United States back is its inability to predict the aftermath of the strike".

When asked about Hezbollah's potential response to any attack, Moussawi said in comments reported yesterday: "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." 

For context: Hezbollah is a Lebanese political and paramilitary group backed by Iran that the UK and many Western countries have designated a terrorist group. 

The EU is likely to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard - also known as the IRGC - as a terrorist organisation, according to the bloc's foreign policy chief.

Kaja Kallas made the comments this morning, adding: "We are putting new sanctions on Iran." 

Reuters news agency, citing a source close to power in Paris, reported yesterday that France supports designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. 

A short while ago, we heard from the UK's prime minister, who was asked if he agrees with Donald Trump's actions.

Speaking during a visit to China, Sir Keir Starmer said the UK is working with allies to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear programme.

"Well, the big issue, the big challenge here, is to ensure that Iran doesn't get a nuclear programme and we all absolutely agree on that, and we're working with allies to that end, and that is the central focus I'm doing with our allies," he said.

Asked specifically if Trump's actions are right, Starmer said: "We all agree that ensuring that Iran doesn't get that nuclear programme is the number one priority, and that's what we're working on."

Before we start bringing you the latest around Iran, here's a quick catch-up...

Yesterday saw Donald Trump step up his rhetoric against Iran, repeating his warning that a "massive armada" is on its way.

Officials in Iran responded, promising the country would defend itself against attacks and target the US and Israel.

The most senior official to raise the prospect of retaliation was foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who said the army has "their fingers on the trigger to immediately and powerfully respond" to any aggression.

Meanwhile, a human rights group said it has verified at least 6,000 deaths during protests and the subsequent regime crackdown - adding it is investigating at least 17,000 other deaths.

That's all for now of our live coverage of developments in Iran.

Today was marked by an intensifying war of words between Washington and Tehran.

Donald Trump kicked off proceedings by repeating his warning that "a massive armada is heading to Iran".

In response, officials of varying levels of seniority in Iran responded, promising the country would defend itself if attacked, target the US and Israel and escalate seriously and decisively.

Iran is trying to posture aggressively even after it lost the 12-day war against Israel last June.

The most senior official to raise the prospect of retaliation was foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

He promised Iran's army had "their fingers on the trigger to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression".

Striking a similar theme, adviser to the supreme leader Ali Shamkhani warned any US strikes would mean "the beginning of war".

Meanwhile, a human rights group said it has confirmed at least 6,000 deaths during the unrest and subsequent regime crackdown - and that it was investigating at least 17,000 other deaths.

To catch up on the latest, our experts here at Paste BN run through what you need to know...

Iran is reportedly ready to negotiate with the US, but only if talks are "genuine".

That's according to the speaker of Tehran's parliament in an interview with CNN.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf spoke to the US outlet, which was allowed into the country with the government's permission to get a limited view of what was happening.

He claimed Iran was ready for talks, but he did not believe the US was as "the kind of talk the president of the United States is after, he just wants to impose [his will on others]."

The office of Iran's supreme leader has released a video referencing possible US strikes on the country.

It opens with a compilation of US officials discussing their strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure last June, before cutting to various speeches made in the past by Ali Khamenei.

The social post is entitled "Allah is sufficient" and calls for people to not fear.

Khamenei and many of his senior officials often post frequently on social media - despite his regime continuing harsh restrictions on internet access for normal Iranians.