Iran has issued a maritime warning, broadcasting via channels such as VHF radio, announcing plans to conduct live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and Monday, February 1–2.

Vladimir Putin said that the creation of a fully fledged Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel is essential, stating that it would help achieve a long-term resolution to the conflict and ensure lasting stability in the region.

Putin highlighted strengthening trade relations with the United Arab Emirates, calling the UAE a key commercial partner in the Arab world and noting that bilateral trade continues to grow steadily.

Newly released video shows a man driving his vehicle into the entrance of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. The driver is seen exiting the vehicle and being taken into custody. No injuries have been reported at this time. View quoted note →

Democrats are increasingly worried that President Donald Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops in U.S. cities and have been preparing for that possibility, sources tell Axios.

🚨A person has rammed a vehicle into the entrance of the Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, according to COLlive.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that she intends to return to Venezuela as soon as possible. “I’ve told the secretary of state that I want to go back to my country as soon as I can,” Machado said. “There are important meetings and agreements we’re working on abroad, and once those are completed, my goal is to return.”

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a significant new military strike against Iran that could target the country’s leadership and security officials, along with nuclear facilities and key government institutions, according to sources cited by CNN.

Local media reports gunfire heard near Diori Hamani International Airport serving capital city of Niamey, Niger.

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab announced the immediate enforcement of directives under Presidential Decree No. 13, issued by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, granting Syrian citizenship and full rights to Kurds in northeastern Syria that had been denied under the government of Bashar al-Assad.

Ukrainian media report that a Russian Air Force Su-34 fighter-bomber was shot down by Ukrainian forces over the Black Sea today. The aircraft reportedly crashed off the coast of Odesa Oblast, killing both crew members on board. View quoted note →

Russian forces have reportedly lost a Su-34 fighter-bomber.

Senator Lindsey Graham: “Trump is Reagan plus. He’s a man of peace, but not someone to be taken lightly. So what did he say to the protesters? Keep protesting—help is on the way. I hope he can find a deal to end the bloodshed in Iran. But Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and has likely killed around 30,000 of its own people. When Donald Trump makes a promise, he delivers. And to the Iranian people, President Trump has your back.”

Secretary Rubio on Venezuela: “You can hold elections endlessly, but if the opposition has no access to the media and opposition candidates aren’t even allowed on the ballot, those elections are neither free nor fair. Our goal is a Venezuela that is free, fair, prosperous, and friendly. That won’t happen in three weeks—it’s going to take time.”

Nicki Minaj: “I’m probably the president’s biggest fan, and that’s not going to change. The hate and criticism don’t affect me at all—if anything, they push me to support him even more. We’re not going to let them bully him. God is protecting him.”

Senator Kaine: “Trump repeatedly mixed up Iceland and Greenland, right? We’re not upset with Iceland, are we?” Rubio: “Yes, he meant Greenland. And I think we’re all familiar with presidents who’ve had verbal slip-ups—some far more often than this one.”

Iranian official Mehdi Mohammadi said there is no such thing as a limited strike, stressing that Iran is prepared for a prolonged confrontation aimed at making this the final war. He added that threats against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alone would be sufficient to expand the conflict beyond Iran’s borders.

Putin to Ahmad al-Sharaa: "We have been closely following your efforts regarding the restoration of Syria's territorial integrity, and I want to congratulate you on the fact that this process is gaining momentum. We have always advocated for the restoration of Syria's territorial integrity, you know about this, and we support all your efforts in this direction. I hope that the integration of the Euphrates region is undoubtedly an important step in this direction, and it will contribute to the restoration of Syria's territorial integrity in general. We congratulate you on this. We are very glad to see you. Welcome, Mr. President."

The deputy chief of staff of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces told RT: “We categorically reject American interference across the region. We strongly oppose any strikes on Iran and support the Islamic Republic’s right to defend itself.”

Former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström wrote on X to the French president: “Now is the moment to demonstrate decisive leadership. The question of designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization has resurfaced within the European Union, and France may soon be the only country standing in the way. Stand on the right side of history and show the Iranian people that you support them.”