Hazel Oliva

Anti-government protests spread in Iran as authorities cut communications

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Here’s what we know

• More anti-government protests broke out Friday in Iran, in the latest unrest to sweep the country. The unrest began nearly two weeks ago over crippling economic conditions, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 protesters, including eight children, Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reports.

• Authorities cut internet access and telephone lines in Tehran and other cities after major protests on Thursday.

• Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran if security forces kill protesters, but on Friday Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the US president should “focus on the problems of his own country.”

• The latest demonstrations are the biggest since the large-scale protests that were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the religious police in 2022.

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UN rights agency expresses concern over violence in Iran

From Xenix News Max Saltman and Kareem El Damanhoury

The United Nations’ human rights agency said it is “disturbed” by reports of violence in Iran on Friday, “including reported deaths and destruction of property.”

“The right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in international law, must be protected. All deaths should be promptly, independently, and transparently investigated,” said Jeremy Laurence, the spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in Geneva.

“Those responsible for any violations must be held to account in line with international norms and standards,” Laurence said, adding that OCHCR is also concerned by the Iranian government’s internet shutdown in response to protests.

“Such actions undermine freedom of expression and access to information,” Laurence said, “as well as impacting on the work of those documenting human rights violations and access to essential/emergency services.”

If Khamenei falls, it won’t look like the revolution of 1979, says analyst

From Xenix News staff

Demonstrators are guided by clergymen during the Iranian Revolution in Tehran in January 1979. Kaveh Kazemi/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

As Iranians speculate whether nationwide protests could lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic, a leading analyst has cautioned that the potential fall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will not resemble the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979.

“The big mistake that a lot of Iranians are making is that they keep evaluating the end of the Islamic Republic like 1979,” Vali Nasr, a professor with the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, told CNN.

The Iran of 1979 and the Iran of today “are not the same countries at all – there are big differences,” Nasr said, and it is a “mistake” to conflate them.

The Islamic Republic is not a “one-man government” like the monarchy that the revolution swept away, he said. “Khamenei is the last word but you have multiple centers of power. You have political factions. He governs by consensus… All the factions go through him,” he explained.

Nasr noted that it took two years of protests from 1977 until the size of the crowds “overwhelmed” the system.

“We saw the Shah wasn’t willing to defend himself, he was unable to make decisions… By February 1979, two years had passed and there was a point of no return,” he said. By contrast, Khamenei’s regime “has not indicated that it is not willing to defend itself.”

Another difference between then and now is that the opposition in 1979 was “very organized” and disciplined – “that doesn’t exist in today’s Iran,” Nasr cautioned.

Venezuela tense as Europe pushes back on Trump’s Greenland claims

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Where things stand

• On the ground: Venezuela remains on edge following the capture of ousted leader Nicolás Maduro. Security forces were seen patrolling the streets, and gunfire and anti-aircraft fire were reported over the capital of Caracas overnight. A Venezuelan ministry spokesperson said “no confrontation occurred.” Sigue nuestra cobertura en español.

• Renewed focus on Greenland: Leaders from major European powers expressed support for Greenland and Denmark in a joint statement issued earlier today after President Donald Trump said the US “needs” the island.

• What’s next for Venezuela?: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has vowed to return home “as soon as possible,” but White House aide Stephen Miller dismissed calls for the US to install her as Maduro’s replacement. Trump said he considers himself in charge of Venezuela.

• Not-guilty plea: Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges yesterday and chose not to immediately fight their detention.

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White House says Greenland would be better protected by US, after European leaders back Denmark

From Xenix News Alejandra Jaramillo

The White House reiterated that Greenland would be better protected by the US after European leaders expressed support for Denmark and the Danish territory.

“President Trump believes Greenland is a strategically important location that is critical from the standpoint of national security, and he is confident Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told CNN in a statement. “The President is committed to establishing long-term peace at home and abroad,” she added.

The European leaders said in their statement that “Greenland belongs to its people.”

“It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark wrote.

A look back at Venezuela’s history as the country faces turmoil

From Xenix News Nic Robertson

Venezuelans are entering a time of uncertainty following the US military operation that ousted leader Nicolás Maduro.

While some are relieved to have Maduro no longer in power, there is also growing anxiety about what the US’ role will be in the country moving forward.

Here’s a brief history of Venezuela and key moments that led to Maduro’s rise and eventual downfall:

“Complete nonsense”: Danish parliament member dismisses US talk about needing Greenland for security

From Xenix News Catherine Nicholls

The United States is “almost starting a war with an allied country” in its pursuit of Greenland, Danish parliament member Rasmus Jarlov told CNN’s Becky Anderson today.

“It is quite shocking that a person who’s in charge of this completely illegitimate land claim on Greenland knows so little about the history and the background of why Greenland belongs to Denmark,” Jarlov said, referencing White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who last night said that nobody would fight the US if it tried to seize the autonomous Danish territory.

Denmark’s ownership of Greenland “may be one of the most well-established ownerships of territory in the world. It is not disputed by anyone. It has never been disputed by the United States themselves, and they really should know these things before almost starting a war with an allied country,” Jarlov continued.

While the US has said it needs Greenland for security purposes, Jarlov pointed out that the country already has “exclusive and full military access” to the island. “So this talk about needing Greenland for security is complete nonsense,” he added.

“They talk about that the United States are the only ones that can protect Greenland, but the fact is that they’re the only ones threatening Greenland. Neither China nor Russia are threatening Greenland,” he said.

Should the US attack Greenland militarily, Denmark “will defend it, and in that case, we would be at war,” Jarlov said.

“We would be fighting each other, which is completely absurd,” he continued. “But you cannot disagree that if the United States attacks a NATO country, there is no alliance.”

Xenix News Francisca Marques contributed to this reporting.

Cuba faces uncertainty in aftermath of US military operation in Venezuela

From Xenix News Patrick Oppmann

The attack on Venezuela has already come at a heavy cost for Cuba, with the government reporting in a social media post that 32 of its citizens were killed during the US military operation.

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle of bodyguards were Cuban. Saturday’s operation appears to be the first time in decades that the former Cold War-era foes have engaged in combat. Now, the Cuban government is wondering if it could be the next country targeted by the Trump administration.

Watch to learn more about what could be next for Cuba amid escalating tensions:

Mexico’s Sheinbaum calls for a “fair trial” for Maduro in the US

From EFE

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum listens to a question during her daily morning press conference after US strikes on Venezuela, at the National Palace in Mexico City on January 5. Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images

The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, called Tuesday for a “fair trial” for the ousted president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who was captured on January 3 along with his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas after a US military intervention, and then transferred to New York, where they face drug trafficking charges.

“In this case, now that President Maduro has been detained, what one asks for is always a fair trial. That is what must be requested, so that truly in everything, for everyone and in any circumstance – and in this particular case – there must be speed and justice,” the president said during her morning press conference.

Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s position of rejecting US intervention, stating that “regardless” of one’s opinion of Maduro’s presidency or the Venezuelan government, her government condemns Washington’s “invasion.”

“We must recover our history, our constitution, and what each one says about it,” she said.

She recalled that Mexico defends “non-intervention, the peaceful resolution of disputes,” and noted that even “if a country is very small internationally, we are all equal.”

“That is why we speak of the legal equality of states. International cooperation for development, which is what I mentioned yesterday. The best way to help a country is international cooperation for development. Respect, protection, and promotion of human rights,” she asserted.

Since Maduro’s detention on January 3, Mexico has expressed its rejection of Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela and has defended the sovereignty of nations.

On Sunday, it issued a joint statement with Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, and Uruguay rejecting “the military actions unilaterally carried out on Venezuelan territory” and expressing “concern about any attempt at governmental control, administration, or external appropriation of natural or strategic resources.”

Maduro enters not guilty plea in New York City court

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Where things stand

• Maduro in court: A defiant Nicolás Maduro entered a plea of not guilty in his first court appearance in New York after being captured in a US military operation, telling the judge he’s “still the president of Venezuela.” The ousted leader, who faces drugs and weapons charges, and his wife, Cilia Flores, are not seeking bail.

• Inside the federal courtroom: Follow live updates above from our reporters in court, where cameras are not allowed. Y sigue nuestra cobertura en español de la audiencia de Maduro en EE.UU.

• Venezuela’s uncertain future: President Donald Trump said the US, which does not recognize Maduro as the country’s legitimate leader, is “in charge,” as acting president Delcy Rodríguez called for “cooperation” with the US. Trump previously said he’s counting on American companies to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry.

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Nicolás Maduro’s son says his father is “kidnapped” and calls for “international solidarity”

From Xenix News Mauricio Torres

This screen grab from the Venezuelan state-run TV station VTV shows Nicolás Maduro Guerra speaking at the National Assembly of Venezuela on January 5, 2026. VTV

Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, said Monday that his father was “kidnapped” by the United States and called for “international solidarity” with him so he can return to the South American country.

Maduro Guerra made these statements during the installation session of the National Assembly of Venezuela, held two days after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a US military operation in Caracas. During his speech, Maduro Guerra said the operation violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and warned that it could happen in another country.

“If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today it’s Venezuela, tomorrow it could be any nation that refuses to submit. This is not a regional problem, it is a direct threat to global stability, to humanity and to the sovereign equality of nations,” he said.

“People of the world, I say to you: international solidarity with Nicolás, with Cilia, with Venezuela, is not an optional political gesture, it is an ethical and legal duty. Silence in the face of these violations implicates those who remain silent and weakens the international system that everyone claims to defend,” he said.

Maduro Guerra also referred to being included in the latest US indictment against his father, Flores and others, who are accused of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. Maduro Guerra rejected the charges. “My family and I are being persecuted,” he said.

Cilia Flores sustained “significant injuries” during capture by US forces, her attorney says

From Xenix News Lauren del Valle, Devan Cole, and Gordon Ebanks

Cilia Flores sustained “significant injuries” this weekend when she was captured in Venezuela during a US military operation, her lawyer told the federal judge overseeing her criminal case.

Her attorney, Mark Donnelly, told senior US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein his client sustained “significant injuries during her abduction” this weekend and suggested she may have a fracture or severe bruising on her ribs and would need a physical evaluation.

The comments came just after Flores and her husband, the ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, pleaded not guilty to a series of federal charges at a New York courthouse Monday afternoon.

CNN reporters at the courthouse saw bandages on Flores’ head during the proceeding.

Maduro’s lawyers will likely attack legality of arrest before getting to any evidence, Xenix News analyst says

From Xenix News Elise Hammond

Before even getting to the evidence of the charges against Nicolás Maduro, his lawyers are likely to argue that he is not legally in custody in the first place, Xenix News chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller said.

The first thing Maduro’s legal team will do will be to “attack the arrest and the legitimacy of his custody,” Miller said. In court today, Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, told the judge that there are issues with the legalities of his client’s military abduction.

Maduro himself also said in court that he was captured at his home and insisted that he is the president of Venezuela — another point his legal team will likely argue early on in the process, Miller said.

Pollack told the judge that Maduro is the head of a sovereign state and is entitled to the privilege and immunity of that office. However, that is disputed, with the United States not recognizing Maduro or his regime as the legitimate government after several disputed elections.

The unusual aspects of Maduro’s first appearance

From Xenix News Casey Gannon

Nicolás Maduro’s first court appearance in New York today has had a “show aspect” to it, Xenix News Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez said on air.

“They paraded him in front of cameras,” Perez said while outside the court on Monday. “This is very unusual in federal court here in the federal system.”

“Usually, you don’t have mugshots of people released because of the danger that (it) poses for their ability to present their defense, innocent until proven guilty,” he added.

Perez noted that as the president of another country, Maduro is used to calling the shots himself.

“He’s used to running things himself, he’s used to being able to issue orders and decide how things (are) going,” Perez said.

“I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” Maduro tells the judge

From Xenix News Hannah Rabinowitz

Within minutes of his first federal court appearance, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro stood before a judge and said, “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”

The statement previews what is likely to be one of the main defenses: that his dead of night arrest in a foreign country by US law enforcement – a “military abduction,” in his attorney’s words – violated the law.

It’s not the first time that a defendant has made this argument. Over three decades ago, Panama’s Manuel Noriega accused the US of violating both international law and due process protections by invading Panama and arresting him abroad.

But that argument was unsuccessful, as the courts refused to consider the legality of the Panama invasion itself and only focused on the allegations in Noriega’s indictment. Whether courts will reconsider that precedent in Maduro’s case remains to be seen.

It is unusual to for a criminal defendant to say anything to a judge during an initial appearance, as defense attorneys typically warn their clients that anything they say could be used in their prosecution.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein made a similar warning to Maduro on Monday as the Venezuelan president spoke.

“There will be a time and a place to go into all of this,” the judge said.

Brother of Venezuela’s acting president re-appointed leader of National Assembly

From Xenix News Michael Rios

Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez speaks during an extraordinary session at the National Assembly in Caracas on December 23, 2025. Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images

Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, has been re-appointed President of the National Assembly.

Lawmakers reelected him to lead parliament on Monday with overwhelming support.

This puts the Rodriguez siblings in control of Venezuela’s executive and legislative branches.

Use of translator could make it harder for judge to control scope of Maduro’s answers, analyst says

From Xenix News Elise Hammond

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is speaking using a translator during his first court appearance in New York today — something that could make it more difficult for the judge to limit the scope of Maduro’s answers.

CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said the former Venezuelan leader “seems to be answering a little bit more than the judge is asking for.”

For example, when entering a plea, Maduro said, “I am innocent, I am not guilty.” He also added that he was “a decent man.” When he was asked by the judge to confirm his name, Maduro said he was the president of Venezuela and said he was captured at his home.

When answers and responses are going through a translator, “it’s harder for a judge to control the proceedings, because if someone’s speaking in English, the judge can just cut them off if he’s saying too much,” Honig said.

In this case, the judge has to wait for everything to be translated. “So we’ll see to what extent Maduro is disciplined and stays within the parameters of the court,” Honig added.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei gives a speech during an event in Tehran, Iran on December 11, 2025. 
Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu/Getty Images

Numerous women gathered for a marathon on Iran’s Kish resort island in early December, donning coordinated shirts and leggings with their hair loosely tied behind.

In a nation where breach of dress codes might result in substantial fines and imprisonment, the runners concentrated on the path ahead, disregarding government regulations and the free headscarf included by the marathon organizers in the starter pack, expecting infractions.

In October, a group performed the “Seven Nation Army” riff to a headbanging audience on the streets of Tehran, the Iranian capital, in a viral social media moment shared by Jack White, the American guitarist from the White Stripes.

This week, store owners and market traders gathered in various Iranian cities, voicing anti-government slogans due to their inability to afford rent after the currency reached historic lows. The demonstrations were the biggest since the 2022 nationwide revolt triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in police custody after being detained for supposedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly.

Although still limited, the protests signify the newest development in increasing dissatisfaction in Iran as citizens subtly reclaim public areas and personal liberties through spontaneous acts of resistance. The Islamic theocratic government – historically resistant to Western cultural impact – seems to be ignoring the increasing civil disobedience to concentrate on its own preservation

People walk past a display sign at a currency exchange bureau as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2025. 
Majid Asgaripour/Wana News Agency/Reuters

At the forefront is Iran’s ailing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has spent years attempting to strengthen his regime against internal and external dangers, but now faces a collapsing strategy. Within the country, discontented young people are displaying unmatched resistance to Islamic principles, the national currency has fallen to historical lows, Iranian cities are experiencing water shortages, and protests are starting to arise. Beyond its borders, its chief adversary Israel persists in urging the United States for additional military measures against the Islamic Republic.

Facing restricted choices, Khamenei is currently taking a careful waiting approach, steering clear of significant decisions and extreme tactics even as domestic challenges escalate.

“Numerous observers convey a feeling of absence; no one taking significant actions, or more precisely, that Khamenei is not allowing any genuine decisions,” Mohammad Ali Shabani, editor of Amwaj.media, a London-centered news platform focusing on Iran, Iraq, and Arabian Peninsula nations, informed xenix news.

“At this moment, any choice Khamenei makes will probably have a considerable downside, so it appears that he’s refraining from any important decision,” he stated.

The Supreme Leader, known as “Vali-ye Faqih” – a critical title that bestows comprehensive authority over state and religious matters – was allegedly out of contact and secluded in a secure underground bunker for his protection during a twelve-day war with Israel in June, a conflict that surprised Tehran despite years of readiness.

Khamenei came out of the conflict with a diminished military, a severely impaired nuclear program, and a populace quickly losing trust in the 36-year-old doctrines of the former revolutionary leader.

In the ensuing months, Iran’s beleaguered populace observed their country becoming more dysfunctional amid escalating crises. Ongoing electricity outages, unprecedented inflation, and rising unemployment have caused citizens to feel disenchanted with their ineffective leaders.

Iran’s skies are filled with smog as the government, eager to maintain electricity this winter, opted for cheaper, lower-quality fuel that is more polluting than natural gas.

Iranian women perform a prayer for rainfall at the Saleh Shrine in Tehran on November 14, 2025, as the country suffers from severe water shortages. 
AFP/Getty Images

This year, Iran experienced its most severe drought in over four decades, affecting twenty provinces. A poorly handled water crisis has escalated to such an extent that President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly suggested the concept of residents leaving Tehran to alleviate the significant pressure on the capital’s decreasing resources.

The nation experiences economic distress as inflation rises sharply. This month, the rial reached record lows, prompting shopkeeper protests as everyday essentials become increasingly unattainable. Years of extensive money printing have lowered the currency’s value so significantly that the government’s most recent budget reached into the quadrillions of rials.

Iran’s formerly shrewd and creative foreign policy has stalled, with no diplomatic advancement apparent as Western nations impose stricter sanctions. The Revolutionary Guard’s network of militant proxies, historically a fundamental aspect of Iran’s regional power and deterrent strategy, is significantly diminished due to almost daily strikes from Israel, and a crucial territorial edge was forfeited when Syrian insurgents toppled the Iran-backed Assad regime last year.

Enduring the stress

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been familiar with crises and constant pressure for a long time. Shortly after the 1979 revolution, the nation found itself entangled in a devastating eight-year war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, yet it persevered through that struggle with unwavering resolve and ultimately triumphed.

Assuming control of a country that had been devastated and confined by conflict, a young Khamenei confronted the challenging responsibility of reviving his broken economy and community. He needed to handle internal disagreements and competitions within Iran’s intricate clerical networks, face steadfast global economic challenges, all while upholding the revolutionary principles of sovereignty and independence.

People wear masks on the street during daily life as air pollution continues to negatively impact life in Tehran, Iran on November 27, 2025. 
Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images

As Iran’s escalating crises intensify following yet another conflict and the political elite partake in a harsh blame game, the aging Supreme Leader observes, adhering strictly to his established strategy: producing missiles and drones, attempting to restore weakened regional allies, and rejecting Western prerequisites for talks.

“Everyone in Iran desires transformation.” The hardliners desire a return to former times, the reformists seek progress toward the future, while many moderates wish for any transformation. “Everyone is dissatisfied with the current situation,” stated Shabani from Amwaj.media.

Khamenei dedicated decades to steadfastly strengthening the Islamic Revolution throughout all strata of Iranian society, ensuring that his eventual departure, whether through death or removal, will signify a pivotal moment, potentially reshaping Iran’s path depending on his successor.

“Certainly, his exit from the stage would mark the most crucial point in the Islamic Republic’s history … presenting an opportunity to alter Iran’s geostrategic course, though it hinges on who and what follows Khamenei,” remarked Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group.

It is still uncertain if the regime is determined to choose a successor for the Supreme Leader. Analysts mention possible contenders such as Mojtaba Khamenei, a cleric with significant influence and his son, or Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the 1979 Revolution’s architect.

Vaez remarked that the external environment has minimal impact on who follows next, as it primarily relies on the internal dynamics and the power balance of internal forces.

“Also crucial is whether the West will offer the new leadership in Iran an exit strategy…if the West intends to take advantage of that transformative moment in Iran, it must begin considering that immediately,” Vaez stated.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold hands during a press conference Monday after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. 
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

‘Task incomplete’

In the midst of protests, civil disobedience, and multiple disasters occurring at once, Khamenei now confronts another external challenge with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who traveled to the US this week to urge President Donald Trump to adopt a more assertive stance, raising concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile initiatives.

According to Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, Trump had often asserted that Iran’s nuclear program was eradicated, effectively shutting down the nuclear issue and eliminating Israel’s strongest historical rationale for US backing of military action against Iran.

“Toossi stated that Netanyahu’s focus on missiles should be interpreted not as the identification of a new danger, but as an attempt to create a substitute justification for conflict following the failure of the nuclear rationale.”

“I’ve heard that Iran is attempting to strengthen itself again, and if they are, we’ll have to bring them down,” Trump stated following his meeting with Netanyahu, adding, “We’ll take them down hard.”