Very late last night, eastern US Time, the People's Republic of China told all of its citizens who may be presently inside Iran to "leave Iran as soon as possible" amid US strike.
Yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, Italy announced it had reduced its Embassy Staffing and told its citizens they should "Leave Iran."
But the real eye-opener was Germany. Germany told its citizens who may be inside Iran for business or personal reasons to "Leave Iran immediately, within the next few hours."
Austria's chancellor has abruptly canceled a planned visit to Israel that was scheduled for this coming Monday.
On Thursday afternoon, the United States quietly sent two B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base out to Guam. It is thought their next stop will be Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, only about 2500 miles from Iran.
This morning (Friday), two more B-52's were also reportedly sent toward Diego Garcia along with refueling tankers.
Also, at about 4:00 AM Eastern US time this morning, Tanker Aircraft flying with a slew of E-18 "Growlers" out of a base on Moron, Spain, took-off for the Middle East. The U.S. military build-up is now astonishing.
"IRAN THREATENS TO SHUT DOWN STRAIT OF HORMUZ"
Iran has intensified its long-standing threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and 25% of seaborne oil trade passes.
Iran issued a Notice to Mariners yesterday, cautioning about forthcoming live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. These drills are planned for Sunday and Monday.
In the event of a war between the U.S. and Iran, Iran is expected to mine the strait, consequently preventing all vessels from passing. What we are seeing now are preparations for that scenario.
Today, Chinese Navy Destroyers moved toward Iranian waters, as shown in the image atop this story. Several heavy destroyers of the Type 055 and Type 052D belonging to the Chinese military have been dispatched from the Hainan base toward Iranian waters.
Iran, Russia, and China will conduct joint military exercises on Sunday near the Strait of Hormuz. China is determined to protect Iran because China buys most of its oil from Iran.
Iran's Imam Khamenei has ordered the armed forces to respond to American military actions and buildup with a massive response, stressing that there will be no negotiations, no compromise, and no simplification of the confrontation.
Lastly, of particular importance to me personally, living here in the metro New York City area, is this:
BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇮🇷
— War Pulse (@War_Pulse24) January 30, 2026
Iranian media say that if the U.S. attacks Iran, Tehran plans to launch more than a dozen Qaem‑100 SLVs, which they claim could be used as ICBMs to target New York and Washington. pic.twitter.com/i0O41mMUFs
