ICE agent: “I love my job. I can’t believe I get paid for this. I’d do it for free.” Protester: “I make $200,000. I’m a physician assistant.” ICE agent: “How long did you go to school?” Protester: “Seven years.” ICE agent: “I only finished high school, and I make $200,000.”

According to TankerTrackers, Iran has reportedly released the Marshall Islands–flagged, Greek-owned oil tanker St. Nikolas, which was seized in January 2024 by the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under a “court order” while transiting the Gulf of Oman with a cargo of oil from Iraq bound for Turkey.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has turned down an offer from President Trump to deploy U.S. military forces against Mexico’s drug cartels, stressing Mexico’s sovereignty and saying such intervention would not be permitted, even as pressure from Washington intensifies, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Footage said to be from tonight and obtained by The Independent Persian shows massive fires burning and thousands of protesters filling the streets of the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

CBS reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was briefed late Monday on a “wide array of military options” regarding Iran, along with potential “cyber and psychological options,” according to sources.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly releases video statement after filing federal civil lawsuit against Pete Hegseth:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that airstrikes are “one of the many, many options on the table” for President Trump in dealing with Iran, while emphasizing that diplomacy is always the president’s first choice.

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev said that if all 55,000 residents of Greenland voted to join Russia, “then it’s all over.”

NetBlocks reported that the internet blackout in Iran has now lasted 100 hours.

A U.S. official tells Al-Jazeera that planning for strikes against Iran has reached “advanced stages,” and that American Forces across the Middle East are prepared for any contingency or retaliation from Iran.

Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst said: “We were able to connect tonight with a source in Isfahan, Iran, to gather more details. He says demonstrations are ongoing and that live ammunition is being used against protesters. We’ll share updates as more information becomes available.”

Macron said, “I condemn the state violence that indiscriminately targets Iranian women and men who courageously demand respect for their rights. Respect for fundamental freedoms is a universal requirement, and we stand alongside those who defend them.”

i24 reported that China has reduced its use of bots and coordinated messaging to promote anti-Israel narratives, with Beijing appearing to soften its rhetoric as it seeks to position itself between both sides, according to Carice Witte.

An Iranian doctor who has since left the country has provided a harrowing eyewitness account of the extreme violence used during the 2026 protests, describing levels of brutality he said far exceed what has been publicly reported. “I heard gunfire like nothing before,” the doctor said, recounting the use of DShK heavy machine guns mounted on IRGC pickup trucks moving through the streets of Isfahan. “People saw them clearly—mounted and firing. In Tehran I was confined to the operating room, but in Isfahan on Friday I am certain it was DShK fire.” He described widespread destruction across cities. “There wasn’t a single traffic light left intact. Not one bus stop still standing.” Government buildings, police stations, and municipal offices were deliberately attacked to cripple state functions. Municipal workers were ordered to clean streets unusually early to conceal the damage. “If you saw it, you’d be shocked,” he said. According to the doctor, violence intensified after security forces were told they would face no consequences. “They treated it like a war. Suppress by any means.” Residents were warned not to leave their homes. “One official said, ‘Do not come out on Saturday or your life is your responsibility.’ He wasn’t exaggerating.” Civilians were routinely caught in the violence. “You didn’t have to be protesting to be shot. You could just be walking by.” State television even aired footage of a father mourning his child who was killed in the street. The weaponry used stunned even experienced medical professionals. “Where in the world is automatic fire permitted in public streets?” the doctor asked. “Even with military training, I know Kalashnikovs aren’t allowed on automatic fire, even at shooting ranges.” Injuries showed clear intent to kill. “This was brutal—shoot to kill. First shots to the abdomen or chest. Random automatic fire into crowds. This is not police training. It was deliberate.” Hospitals were overwhelmed. “On Thursday and Friday alone, I received 300 to 500 calls in 24 hours. My phone overheated; I had to recharge it three times.” Fear of surveillance forced people to speak in code. Doctors advised those with pellet wounds not to seek treatment: “Leave them in. They won’t show clearly on X-rays, and airport scanners won’t detect them.” Victims ranged in age from 16 to 70, most between 18 and 28. One colleague reported that during a single night shift, eight bodies arrived with shotgun pellet wounds to the face. “Faces were unrecognizable. Many bodies couldn’t be identified at all.” Despite the violence, protesters continued to demonstrate openly. Chants of “Death to Khamenei” rang out. “The courage of these young people was unbelievable,” the doctor said. “Their anger and desperation were so deep they accepted even a ten percent chance of being shot just to end this.” The doctor described the situation as a regime waging war against its own population, stressing that the scale and severity of the violence far surpass what has been acknowledged publicly.

Florida Rep. Randy Fine has introduced legislation proposing that Greenland become a U.S. state, describing the move as a strategic step to safeguard American interests in the Arctic and counter the influence of China and Russia. “Greenland is not a remote outpost we can afford to ignore,” Fine said. “It’s a vital national security asset.”

The White House is considering a last-minute Iranian proposal to pursue diplomacy aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program, even as President Donald J. Trump is currently inclined toward authorizing new military strikes on Iran following deadly crackdowns on anti-regime protests, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal. According to officials, some senior administration aides—led by Vice President JD Vance—are urging Trump to attempt diplomacy before retaliating for the killing of protesters during recent demonstrations in major cities, including Tehran. The president has not yet made a final decision and is expected to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to review his options. While Trump presently favors military action, officials said his position could shift based on developments inside Iran and further discussions with aides, including Vice President Vance. Some officials suggested the president may opt to strike first and then pursue substantive negotiations with Tehran, a possibility Trump appeared to signal while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.

Be cautious: Palestinian and Iranian outlets are circulating a new disinformation narrative claiming that Israel has opened bomb shelters in Tel Aviv. There is currently no credible evidence to support this claim. IDF Spokesperson: “Over the past day, numerous rumors have circulated against the backdrop of developments in Iran. As previously clarified, the IDF is prepared defensively and remains on alert for surprise scenarios if required. The protests in Iran are an internal matter. We continue to conduct ongoing situation assessments and will provide updates should any changes occur. I emphasize—do not give credence to rumors.”

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iranian leaders called him yesterday and "they want to negotiate... a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening, before the meeting."

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was questioned during today’s pro-government demonstrations in Tehran about threats made by U.S. President Donald J. Trump. In response, he said, “Trump talks too much—don’t take him seriously. The massive presence of Iranians in the streets shows that our people are ready to settle scores with the United States and Israel.”

Iranian state-run media are airing footage of pro-government rallies held today in multiple cities nationwide, asserting that crowds at Enghelab Square in central Tehran exceeded 100,000 people. Opposition groups, however, contend that most participants were mobilized by the government and that the demonstrations are intended to undermine ongoing anti-regime protests by portraying them as “foreign-backed” by Israel and the United States.