THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from the UK for 12.01.2026.
It displays 118 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
12.01.2026 โข The Day of the Zahawi Defection
โจMorning coverage across the UK media was dominated by the escalating crisis in Iran, as editors tracked a death toll surpassing 500 and President Trumpโs warning of 'very strong' military options. Right-leaning outlets simultaneously pressed the government to proscribe the IRGC, while lifestyle sections focused on the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet.
By early afternoon, editorial priority shifted abruptly to a domestic political rupture: former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawiโs defection to Reform UK. This became the lead story for most major outlets, which focused on Conservative allegations that Zahawi switched parties after being denied a peerage. This development eclipsed the ongoing discussion regarding potential Labour leadership challenges.
In the evening, the narrative returned to the White House's posture toward Tehran. Reports highlighted the White House's confirmation that airstrikes remain 'on the table' alongside a new 25% tariff threat on nations trading with Iran. Simultaneously, Keir Starmer opened a digital policy front by issuing an ultimatum to Elon Musk over the Grok AI tool.
By early afternoon, editorial priority shifted abruptly to a domestic political rupture: former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawiโs defection to Reform UK. This became the lead story for most major outlets, which focused on Conservative allegations that Zahawi switched parties after being denied a peerage. This development eclipsed the ongoing discussion regarding potential Labour leadership challenges.
In the evening, the narrative returned to the White House's posture toward Tehran. Reports highlighted the White House's confirmation that airstrikes remain 'on the table' alongside a new 25% tariff threat on nations trading with Iran. Simultaneously, Keir Starmer opened a digital policy front by issuing an ultimatum to Elon Musk over the Grok AI tool.
12.01.2026
00:08
00:52
00:52
02:04
02:17
02:17
03:35
The Guardian
US president claims โIran wants to negotiateโ as rights groups report that regimeโs crackdown on protest has killed hundreds
03:35
04:27
04:27
04:39
The president denies all knowledge. A bizarre fight could get nasty
04:39
04:41โขWashington Weighs the Strike Trigger
โจThe UK media is now fixed on the immediate threat of US-Iran military escalation. Broadcasters and broadsheets report Donald Trump is weighing 'very strong' strike options as the Iranian protest death toll surpasses 500 (Sky News, The Guardian, The Times). While Tehran warns of direct retaliation against US targets (The Independent, BBC News), right-leaning outlets amplify calls for Keir Starmer to proscribe Iranโs military as a terror organization (The Telegraph).
04:53
05:51
The US president says Iranian leaders have called "to negotiate", but adds the US "may have to act" before a meeting.
05:51
06:23
With membership figures plummeting, affiliates take on a new importance
06:23
06:23
06:23
06:43
UK | Barney Davis
06:43
06:43
06:49
HuffPost UK
06:49
07:14
The Telegraph
07:14
07:14
BBC
Trump considers action and says Iran wants meeting after hundreds of protesters reported killed
"The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," Trump told reporters on Sunday night.
07:14
07:15
Live | Live
07:15
07:21
07:33
07:34
World | Sarah Hooper
07:34
07:46
BBC
Trump says he's considering action and that Iran wants meeting after hundreds of protesters reported killed
"The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," Trump told reporters on Sunday night.
07:46
07:46
The Guardian
US president claims โIran wants to negotiateโ as rights groups report that regimeโs crackdown on protest has killed hundreds
07:46
08:05
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
08:05
08:31
08:31
08:33โขTrump Weighs the Iran Strike Trigger
โจThe UK media prioritizes the risk of military escalation in Iran, reporting that Donald Trump is considering 'very strong' options as the protester death toll reaches 544 (The Independent, Sky News, The Guardian, BBC News, Metro). Right-leaning and broadsheet editors also track calls for Keir Starmer to proscribe the IRGC (The Telegraph). Simultaneously, tabloid and lifestyle sections pivot to the 2026 Golden Globes winners and red carpet fashion (Evening Standard, Daily Mail, The Times).
08:44
BBC
Trump says he's considering 'very strong options' in Iran as hundreds of protesters killed
The US president says Iran "wants to negotiate", adding: "I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States."
08:44
08:44
08:44
09:04
UK | John Dunne
09:04
09:17
The Telegraph
09:17
09:30
The European Union is reportedly demanding that the left-wing British government agree to a โFarage clauseโ in its so-called Brexit reset that would impose a financial penalty on the United Kingdom if a future government pulls out of the deal.
09:30
09:49
World | Sarah Hooper
09:49
09:56
10:14
World | Sarah Hooper
10:14
10:14
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
10:14
10:59
10:59
11:18
11:18
Novara Media
Something massive is happening in Iran โ but western elites have no idea what it is, writes Steven Methven.
11:18
11:24
The Telegraph
11:24
11:26
The Jewish Chronicle
11:26
11:27โขTrump Weighs the Persian Strike
โจThe British press is centered on the imminent risk of US military action against Iran, as Donald Trump asserts Tehran's desire to negotiate despite escalating threats (BBC News, Sky News, The Independent, The Guardian). Editors highlight the deepening humanitarian crisis, with reports of thousands killed or arrested in the regime's crackdown (The Jewish Chronicle, Metro, Channel 4 News, Novara Media). Concurrently, celebrity coverage remains high following the Golden Globes (Daily Mail, The Times).
11:31
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
11:31
11:31
11:31
11:37
The Guardian
Abbas Araghchi warns adversaries against โmiscalculationโ as Trump mulls military response to protest crackdown
11:37
11:37
11:37
11:37
11:44
HuffPost UK
11:44
12:02
BBC
Iran says it is 'prepared' for war if US intervenes after hundreds killed in protests
The US president says Iran "wants to negotiate", adding: "I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States."
12:02
12:02
12:21
12:27
12:28
The Jewish Chronicle
12:28
12:33
12:39
The Telegraph
12:39
12:40
12:58
The Spectator
12:58
13:04
13:05โขZahawi Defects to Reform UK
โจThe British press has rapidly shifted focus to a domestic political earthquake: the defection of former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi to Reform UK (Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Sky News, The Spectator, HuffPost UK, The Telegraph). This high-profile departure from the Conservatives dominates the domestic agenda. Simultaneously, editors continue to track the escalating US-Iran crisis, noting Tehranโs readiness for war as US military options remain under consideration (The Independent, The Guardian, BBC News, Novara Media, Metro, Channel 4 News).
13:10
13:29
Internet blackout hampering efforts to verify if violent crackdown has blunted movementโs momentum
13:29
13:29
The Times
13:29
13:40
BBC
Iranian mourners heard chanting 'death to Khamenei' at funeral as hundreds killed in protests
On Sunday night, President Trump said the US was considering whether to take action in Iran - adding that Iran "wants to negotiate".
13:40
13:47
13:47
13:53
New Statesman
Scoop: Jeremy Corbyn asked not to share the same candidate slate as Zarah Sultana
13:53
14:12
14:12
14:24
14:25
The Jewish Chronicle
14:25
14:31
The Spectator
14:31
14:42
14:42
14:42
14:55
15:13
15:20
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
15:20
15:20
Donald Trump says he is considering โstrong optionsโ to intervene in Iran as rights groups say at least 500 protesters have been killed during anti-government demonstrations and thousands more detained.
15:20
15:21โขZahawiโs Reform Defection Spurs Peerage Row
โจBritish editors are prioritizing the escalating fallout from Nadhim Zahawiโs defection to Reform UK, with right-leaning and mainstream outlets focusing on allegations of a rejected peerage (The Independent, The Times, Sky News, The Spectator, Evening Standard, HuffPost UK). Simultaneously, media attention remains fixed on the Iranian crisis, contrasting Tehran's claims of control with reports of mass casualties and potential US military intervention (The Guardian, BBC News, Metro, Channel 4 News, Daily Mail).
15:27
HuffPost UK
15:27
15:33
BBC
Our experts answer your questions as hundreds killed in Iranian protests
On Sunday night, President Trump said the US was considering whether to take action in response to the deadly crackdown - adding that Iran "wants to negotiate".
15:33
15:33
15:33
15:39
BBC
Trump threats, mass protests and hundreds killed - our experts answer your Iran questions
On Sunday night, President Trump said the US was considering whether to take action in response to the deadly crackdown - adding that Iran "wants to negotiate".
15:39
15:52
The president denies all knowledge. A bizarre fight could get nasty
15:52
15:53
BBC
Is this the biggest threat to Iran's Islamic republic since 1979? Our experts answer your questions
On Sunday night, President Trump said the US was considering whether to take action in response to the deadly crackdown - adding that Iran "wants to negotiate".
15:53
15:53
The Iranian regime thought it signed Israelโs death warrant on 7 October 2023 โ in fact, it may have signed its own.
15:53
16:05
16:12
Music | Danni Scott
16:12
16:31
Sky News
Live | Live
16:31
16:39
16:39
16:46
17:00
Speaker of parliament says country fighting four-front war after minister claims unrest has โcome under total controlโ
17:00
17:06
Breitbart UK
Former finance minister defects, warning โmost civilised nation on earthโ needs to crack down on โsicknessโ of festering radical Islamism.
17:06
17:41
17:41
17:42
17:54
BBC
Almost 650 killed in Iran protests, rights group says, as supreme leader issues warning to US
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warns the US to "end their deceit" after Trump vowed to intervene if demonstrators were killed.
17:54
17:55โขTehran's Four Front War
โจBritish editors are focusing on the deepening Iranian crisis, reporting a death toll of 650 as Tehran claims a 'four-front war' against the US and Israel (BBC News, The Guardian, The Times, Channel 4 News). Concurrently, the domestic political landscape is shifting following Nadhim Zahawiโs defection to Reform UK, a move right-leaning outlets link to a rejected peerage (The Independent, Breitbart London, HuffPost UK).
18:00
18:00
The keffiyeh-clad class is utterly indifferent to this genuine struggle for liberty against Islamist oppression.
18:00
18:08
Morning Star
18:08
18:34
We must call out this crusade against Elon Musk for the authoritarian wheeze that it is.
18:34
18:41
18:47
Live | Live
18:47
19:00
Airstrikes would be โone of the many options on the tableโ says press secretary Karoline Leavitt as Iranian regime seeks to downplay protests
19:00
19:12
British Defence Secretary John Healey has ruffled the feathers of the Kremlin after saying that he would like to capture Russian leader Vladimir Putin and put him on trial for war crimes. In the wake of the stunning display of
19:12
19:12
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
19:12
20:03
The BBC has received eyewitness accounts of the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters across Iran.
20:03
20:10
Amid Iranโs brutal crackdown on protestors โ the regime called on loyalists to turn out on the streets today โ in a bid to show they are still in control. And in a warning to President Trump, they declared that they did not seek war but were ready for it.
20:10
20:23
20:29
21:07
UK | Barney Davis
21:07
21:32
Press chief says US president considering โmany, manyโ options amid deadly regime crackdown on protesters
21:32
22:15
22:15
22:15
22:21
HuffPost UK
22:21
22:33
22:35โขWhite House Weighs Persian Airstrikes
โจBritish editors are increasingly prioritizing the potential for direct US military intervention in Iran as the White House signals that airstrikes are 'on the table' (Sky News, The Guardian, BBC News, Channel 4 News). Concurrently, Keir Starmer has opened a new front in his domestic and digital agenda, issuing an ultimatum to Elon Musk regarding the use of Grok on X (The Independent, Spiked).
22:46
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
22:46
23:22
The Economist
It has cut off communication, but outsiders might help Iranians get back online
23:22