WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/CAIRO/LONDON/TEHERAN/UNITED NATIONS - A US carrier strike group is moving from the South China Sea to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran, multiple sources reported on Wednesday.

"The US is moving a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the CENTCOM area of responsibility," Kellie Meyer, a NewsNation reporter, posted on X.

Iran shuts down airspace

Iran issued a Notice to Airmen alert late on Wednesday night, closing its airspace to all flights except international flights with prior permission from the country, media reported.

The notice said that the prohibition will remain in effect for more than two hours until 4:00 am local time, but could be extended.

The US virtual embassy in Iran on Tuesday urged US citizens to leave the country. 

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UNSC to meet on Iran 

The UN Security Council will meet Thursday on the situation in Iran, said a spokeswoman for the Somali Permanent Mission to the United Nations, whose country holds the rotating council presidency for the month of January.

"I can now confirm that the (Security Council) presidency intends to schedule a briefing on the situation in Iran .... on Thursday, Jan 15, 2026, at 3 pm (2000 GMT), requested by the United States," said Khadija Ahmed, the spokeswoman for the Somali mission, on Wednesday night. 

US, UK withdrawing personnel

The United States is withdrawing some of its personnel from its military bases in the Middle East as a precaution amid heightened regional tensions, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing an anonymous US official.

Qatar has also confirmed that personnel are departing the US base over "regional tensions."

The latest developments come as regional tensions show signs of escalation surrounding Iran's protests, with US officials repeatedly threatening to intervene.

Meanwhile, Britain has begun withdrawing personnel from a United States military base in Qatar, Sky News reported on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, the British government updated its Foreign Travel Advice for Iran on Wednesday, announcing the temporary withdrawal of staff from its embassy in Teheran due to security concerns.

In a precautionary move, the British government said it had temporarily withdrawn British personnel from its embassy there, adding that "the embassy continues to operate remotely."

Unrest developments

Senior Iranian officials have held talks with their foreign counterparts on the latest developments in the country and have condemned foreign interference in the wake of the recent unrest.

In separate phone calls on Tuesday night with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi elaborated on the recent unrest across the country and the consequent casualties, saying the Iranian people's "peaceful" protests were driven into violence by foreign-linked individuals.

During the talks, Araghchi stressed that the "terrorists" provoked by the United States and Israel were responsible for the violence during the protests, assuring that calm had been restored thanks to the people's vigilance and the efforts of the country's law enforcement forces.

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Meanwhile, Iran's Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei on Wednesday called for the accurate and speedy trials of the "rioters and terrorists" arrested during the recent unrest in the country.

He made the remarks during a visit to a penitentiary in Teheran to inspect the cases of some of the main suspects detained during the recent events, according to the Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary.

Mohseni-Ejei stressed that those detainees who had attacked security forces and public places using weapons and explosives and perpetrated "acts of terror" must be prioritized for trial and punishment.

He said those affiliated with foreign intelligence services and their ringleaders must also be prioritized for trial and punishment, warning against any delay in prosecuting those who had committed acts of terror and riot.

Funeral for victims

A large funeral procession was held here on Wednesday for security personnel and civilians killed during the recent unrest in Iran, which authorities have attributed to "rioters and terrorists."

The event was attended by senior officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and citizens, who carried national flags and images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the deceased. Participants also chanted slogans against Israel and the United States, while voicing support for the police.

Defensive readiness

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has instructed forces to bolster defensive readiness across the army, a military official said on Wednesday, citing rising tensions in Iran.

"The chief of staff has instructed that defensive readiness be strengthened across all formations," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Effie Defrin wrote in a post on social media X.

He said the IDF is closely monitoring developments in the region and is "prepared defensively and remains on alert for surprise scenarios, if required." He said the protests in Iran are "an internal matter" of Iran.

"In recent days, the chief of staff has been holding regular situation assessments," he said, adding that at this stage, there was no change in defensive guidelines for civilians.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson with Israel's Airports Authority said that the country's airports were operating "normally and without any changes," but advised passengers to stay in contact with their airlines due to the current situation.