Protests and demonstrations against the Islamic Regime in Iran have surged in recent days, as major riots and acts of civil unrest are now occurring in dozens of cities across the country, with police and security forces responding at times with deadly force - firing into crowds and causing fatalities - while many call for the overthrow of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The Israeli Air Force carried out a wave of airstrikes this morning against Hezbollah military infrastructure, including a training site allegedly utilized by Hezbollah’s “Elite” Radwan Force, in Southern Lebanon.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that the FBI had foiled an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in North Carolina. Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill, was arrested earlier this week and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization; after communicating online to an undercover federal agent posing as a member of ISIS, about his plans to attack people inside a grocery store and fast food restaurant in his hometown using hammers and a knife on New Year’s Eve. Earlier last month, on Decembers 18, the FBI Field Office in Charlotte received information that an individual later identified as Sturdivant, was making multiple social media posts in support of ISIS, with him having first appeared on the FBI’s radar in January 2022.

Iran has delivered a letter to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as members of the U.N. Security Council, protesting a recent statement made on social media by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, in which he threatened to intervene in ongoing protests and civil unrest against the government in Iran.