Morning Briefing: Jan. 12, 2026

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including US President Donald Trump saying that Washington is weighing "very strong options" on Iran, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, and Iran’s president vowing to address economic problems amid protests.

TOP STORIES

Trump says US weighing 'very strong options' on Iran

US President Donald Trump said his administration was closely monitoring ongoing protests in Iran and was considering "very strong options" as the reported death toll in ongoing protests continues to rise.

"The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," said Trump, who had previously warned that the US could launch an attack on Iran if authorities there responded to the protests with lethal force.

Iran has been gripped by protests since late December over the sharp depreciation of its national currency and worsening economic conditions. US-based rights group HRANA reported deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested, though no official casualty estimates exist.

Israeli warplanes strike southern Lebanon

Israeli warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire in place since November 2024, Lebanese media reported.

Lebanon’s state news agency NNA said fighter jets carried out a series of intense raids on the Mahmoudiyeh and Damshqiyah areas.

Israeli warplanes also pounded the al-Breij area on the outskirts of Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region with more than 10 airstrikes in less than an hour, the agency said.

More than 10 airstrikes were reported in less than an hour on the al-Breij area on the outskirts of Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region, the agency said.

Additional strikes hit the Rayhan Heights in the Jezzine district, while another raid targeted the Tabna area, where a missile reportedly failed to detonate, according to NNA.

Additional Israeli strikes targeted the Rayhan Heights in the Jezzine district, while another raid hit the Tabna area, where a missile reportedly failed to detonate, according to NNA.

Iran’s president vows to solve economic problems amid protests

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was determined to address the country's economic problems amid ongoing protests in several parts of the country.

Iran’s “enemies are seeking to sow chaos and instability” following the country’s 12-day war last June with Israel, Pezeshkian said in a televised statement, accusing the US and Israel of being behind recent disturbances amid ongoing protests that have lasted for weeks.

He urged the public to distance themselves from “rioters and terrorists,” calling on them not to engage in acts of vandalism or sabotage.

“The government is determined to solve economic problems and is ready to listen to the people,” Pezeshkian added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The leader of Britain’s opposition Liberal Democrats said the UK should be prepared to take strong action against US President Donald Trump if Greenland were to come under attack, including sanctioning his businesses and reconsidering the presence of US forces on British soil.

• At least 109 Iranian security members were killed during unrest sweeping several parts of the country over the past few days, Qatar-based channel Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

• Sweden’s prime minister said the recent US military operation on Venezuela violated international law and risked encouraging similar actions by other countries.

• Syria’s Interior Ministry said it had dismantled explosive devices planted by the terrorist organization YPG/SDF inside homes and along streets in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo, describing them as “prepared for terrorist use.”

• Electoral officials in Benin began counting votes after municipal and legislative elections in the West African country.
  

• Ukraine claimed it had struck three drilling platforms belonging to Russian energy company Lukoil in the Caspian Sea.
• Myanmar held phase two of a three-stage voting process in 100 townships nationwide in an effort towards forming a new government in April.

• Palestinian rights institutions said a detainee from the Gaza Strip had died in Israeli prisons, raising the number of Palestinians who perished in custody since October 2023 to 87.

• Four medics were killed and three others injured in artillery shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in South Kordofan, a Sudanese medical group said.

• Germany urged the US to respect Greenland's territorial sovereignty amid repeated threats to seize the island by force.

• Sudan’s government officially returned to the capital Khartoum for the first time since the outbreak of war with the RSF in April 2023, Prime Minister Kamel Idris said.

• The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged Seoul to provide a thorough account of recent drone activity she said breached North Korean airspace.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Azerbaijan sends more petroleum products to neighboring Armenia

Azerbaijan has sent another shipment of petroleum products to neighboring Armenia, state media reported.

Baku's state news agency Azertac reported that an 18-wagon train carrying 979 tons of A-92 grade motor fuel departed from Bilajari station in the capital toward the border village of Boyuk Kesik in northwestern Azerbaijan.

“The shipment will be delivered to Armenia via transit through Georgia,” the report said.

This will mark the third such delivery between the two South Caucasus neighbors, with the previous one having taken place earlier this week.