Iran’s top diplomat issues most direct threat yet to US as crackdown over protests squeezes nation

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by By JON GAMBRELLJanuary 21, 2026 at 09:23 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a direct threat to the United States amid a crackdown on protesters in Iran. Araghchi warned that Iran would retaliate with full force if attacked, referencing a recent military deployment in the Caribbean and the movement of a U.S. aircraft carrier group toward the Middle East. He made the statement in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, defending Iran's response to protests and blaming armed demonstrators for the violence. Meanwhile, an Iranian Kurdish separatist group in Iraq claimed Iran targeted one of its bases in a drone and missile attack. Araghchi's threat comes as tensions rise in the region.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Davos 30% Asia 30% Lebanon 40% World Economic Forum 40% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 40% Beirut 40% Iraq 40% Middle East 50% Israel ×360% United States ×280% Iran ×790% Abbas Araghchi ×590%

Keywords

iran 100% united states 90% threat 80% abbas araghchi 70% military attack 70% protests 60% armed forces 50% middle east 50% missiles 40% foreign policy 40%