VFI News Iran Issues 3-Day Ultimatum as Crackdown Intensifies

Iran erupts in bloodshed as protesters are massacred—here’s what the world isn’t telling you.

Iran is in chaos as the Ayatollah regime violently cracks down on protesters, with reports of hundreds killed and Tehran turning into a war zone. Heavy machine-gun fire, burned-out streets, and mass arrests highlight the regime’s brutal grip. Meanwhile, Israel strikes Hezbollah targets, U.S. military assets are deployed, and tensions across the Middle East continue to rise. Get the latest updates on the unfolding crisis, the regime’s collapse, and the international response.

From Iran’s deadly protests to rising threats in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, the region teeters on the edge of conflict. Domestically, Israel faces economic struggles and the looming possibility of early elections. Watch this edition of VFI News from Israel for a clear breakdown of the violence, diplomacy, and security efforts, and see how Vision for Israel is supporting frontline responders in this critical moment.

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Iran’s national police chief, Gen. Ahmad-Reza Radan, issued an ultimatum on Monday, January 19, urging people who took part in what authorities call “riots” to turn themselves in within three days or face prosecution.

Officials said those “deceived” into joining would be treated with “leniency,” even as the scope of arrests and the scale of violence remained murky amid a prolonged internet blackout. The heads of Iran’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches simultaneously pledged to tackle the economic grievances that helped ignite the unrest, while promising to “decisively punish” those they accuse of orchestrating “terrorist incidents.”

Rights groups say thousands have been killed since the demonstrations began, and the United Nations warned this week that executions have been used as a tool of intimidation. Security officials cited by Iranian media have reported thousands of arrests; outside advocates believe the true tally could be much higher. With connectivity still restricted, images of burned buildings and damaged public infrastructure have trickled out piecemeal, while authorities insist order will be restored and vow firm action against perceived instigators.

(TOI/VFI News)

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” – Psalm 9:9

Newly circulated images on January 22 shed stark light on the injuries and devastation tied to Iran’s sweeping clampdown, capturing bloodied backs from pellet fire, scenes of chaos in Tehran, and the fear that keeps the wounded from seeking hospital care.

Eyewitness testimony from those who fled describes security forces shooting at demonstrators’ backs and spot-checking people for signs of gunshot or pellet wounds—accounts consistent with what rights monitors have documented as the death toll has mounted under the cover of an internet blackout since early January.

Amid that fear, volunteers and even doctors have quietly moved through neighborhoods to treat people in homes. Community members say they opened doors to provide first aid to scores of teenagers and young adults caught up in the unrest. The emerging picture—of young women and men taking to the streets, of ordinary Iranians risking detention simply for possessing protest footage—underscores how deeply the crisis has touched family life across the country.

(NYP/VFI News)

“Lord, have mercy on the people of Iran. Protect the innocent, heal the wounded, and comfort families mourning loved ones. Grant courage to those who advocate for justice, and restrain hands bent on violence, that righteousness and peace might take root in that nation.”

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, January 20, that any Iranian move to kill protesters—or act on threats against him—would trigger overwhelming US retaliation.

In a televised interview, he declared that “anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth,” insisting the military option remains on the table. He also claimed Iran had backed off from mass executions following warnings from Washington, while adding that future outcomes are uncertain.

His remarks came as tensions rose over both Iran’s internal repression and its posture toward the United States and Israel. While the administration projects readiness to act, officials continue to weigh diplomatic, economic, and military levers amid fast-moving events and conflicting reports about the pace of arrests and fatalities.

(INN/VFI News)

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Wednesday, January 21, that Israel will leave the Open Government Partnership (OGP), arguing the body “has become a political tool for attacking Israel.”

The decision, to be advanced with Economy Minister Nir Barkat, follows an OGP steering committee review process that Jerusalem viewed as driven by baseless allegations.

Sa’ar cited Israel’s blocked participation at a September 2025 conference in Spain—an exclusion he said drew no response from OGP leadership—as part of a broader pattern undermining the organization’s stated principles. Israel originally joined OGP in 2012 to promote transparency and accountability in government.

(INN/VFI News)

“He guards the paths of justice and protects the way of His faithful ones.” – Proverbs 2:8

This psalm is a celebration of God's constant and continued protection of His people. Though we may slumber and rest, our God is constantly vigilant and watching over us. We must trust Him as our protector, and rely on Him alone for our reassurance. Though worldly entities may seem tempting, the only stronghold that is always diligent is God's love.

A UK nonprofit reported a steep decline in secondary schools commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, with observances falling from more than 2,000 schools in 2023 to 854 in 2025.

With this year’s memorial set for January 27, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis warned that opting out due to controversy undermines core civic education and risks corroding society’s moral foundations.

The group cited heightened polarization since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, as one driver of the drop-off. Jewish organizations cautioned that Holocaust remembrance is not political, but an act of human memory vital to resisting hatred and extremism—particularly as antisemitic incidents have surged across the UK.

(TOI/VFI News)

“God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, stir hearts in Britain and around the world to remember the six million Jewish people who perished in the Holocaust—the biggest genocide known in the history of mankind. Guard classrooms from intimidation and distortion, and grant teachers wisdom and courage to tell the truth. Let remembrance sow compassion and vigilance against antisemitism in every generation.”

Briefing lawmakers on Tuesday, January 20, Lt. Col. Avigdor Dickstein told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that 30,000 people are currently designated as draft evaders.

About half are ultra-Orthodox and half of uncertain religious status, with the figure expected to climb by “many thousands” in the coming month. The discussion came as the coalition races to pass a Haredi conscription bill that critics say is riddled with loopholes and won’t boost enlistment.

The IDF says manpower strains from the Gaza war and other fronts require roughly 12,000 additional recruits. Since a 2024 High Court ruling ended blanket exemptions, the military has increased enforcement and penalties while yeshiva budgets tied to draft compliance have been curtailed—steps supporters call necessary, and opponents decry as punitive.

(TOI/VFI News)

On Wednesday, January 21, police allowed Jewish visitors to bring printed prayer sheets up to the Temple Mount—an incremental but symbolic shift at the contested holy site.

Flyers distributed by the Temple Mount Yeshiva included guidance for pilgrimage, a pre-ascent prayer, and the Amidah. Police said the material could be used only in specific areas, while emphasizing freedom of worship and visitation for all communities.

Jewish prayer at the Mount had long been restricted under the status quo with Jordan’s Islamic Waqf, though in recent years, quiet prayer has occurred, especially in the eastern part of the complex. Activists lauded the new policy as a formal acknowledgment of existing practice; officials framed it as maintaining order while accommodating worshipers.

(TOI/VFI News)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’” – Psalm 122:6

At the World Economic Forum on Thursday, January 22, Jared Kushner showcased glossy concepts for a rebuilt Gaza—luxury towers, waterfront promenades, and high-tech districts.

He argued that prosperity depends on Hamas laying down arms, urged Israelis to “calm down,” floated amnesty for gunmen who surrender, and cast the plan as a “catastrophic success” if militias disarm and governance is stabilized. Reporting from Davos the same day echoed those conditions: no disarmament, no reconstruction.

The renderings drew intense reactions—hope from some for a post-war economic horizon, skepticism from others who questioned financing, security, and oversight. The debate underscores a central dilemma: how to translate ceasefire mechanics into lasting security guarantees and credible civilian administration that can protect residents and investors alike.

(NYP/VFI News)

“Lord, we pray for a genuine, demilitarized peace that protects Israelis and Palestinians alike. Grant wisdom to leaders, integrity to builders, and safety to families who long for normal life. May every plan be shaped by justice, truth, and the fear of God, not by violence or corruption.”

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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