Iran has issued a threat of immediate retaliation against the US if President Donald Trump intervenes in the ongoing protests. The country witnessed chaotic scenes with over 500 reported deaths and 10,000 arrests across various cities, including the capital Tehran.
As Trump contemplated involvement to support the protesters, Iranian officials warned that the US could become a “legitimate target.” Opposition groups in the UK revealed alarming incidents of police violence against protesters, including elderly individuals showing remarkable courage by confronting heavily armed authorities.
Protesters resorted to using special Starlink terminals to bypass the nationwide internet blockade and share videos and firsthand accounts via satellite. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, threatened the US and Israel as potential targets in the event of American military action against Iran. President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the US and Israel for instigating the unrest.
The escalating confrontation between authorities and protesters led to increased arrests, with Iran’s police chief attributing a significant portion of casualties to individuals he claimed were trained and directed, not security forces. Iran’s attorney general warned of severe consequences for protesters, including the death penalty for being deemed “an enemy of God.”
The situation on the ground in Tehran depicted masked protesters engaging in clashes with security forces, with videos showing the intensity of the protests in various districts. Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 500 deaths and 10,000 arrests, primarily due to gunfire at close range. Exiled figure Reza Pahlavi expressed solidarity with the protesters and their call for change, urging them to remain safe while continuing their demonstrations.
The unrest in Iran has drawn international attention, with calls for support from various quarters as the country grapples with a deepening crisis.