Death toll in Iran crosses 500, say activists amid crackdown on nationwide protests
The Islamic Republic is facing its biggest demonstrations since 2022, and the US President Donald Trump's administration has warned that it will intervene if force is used on protesters.
Iran protests deaths: In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran shows protesters taking to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran. (AP)
The Iranian government’s crackdown on nationwide protests has killed at least 538 people and even more are feared dead, activists said on Sunday as Tehran issued warnings that US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America deploys force to protect demonstrators.
According to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 10,600 people have been detained since the protests started two weeks ago. The agency said that of those killed, 490 were protesters and 48 were members of security forces.
The Islamic Republic is facing its biggest demonstrations since 2022, and the US President Donald Trump’s administration has warned that it will intervene if force is used on protesters. Iran is yet to provide an official death toll figure.
A report by Wall Street Journal stated that Trump is set to be briefed by his administration’s officials on Tuesday regarding options available with the US to act on Iran, including military strikes, using secret cyber weapons, widening sanctions and providing online help to anti-government sources.
In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran. (UGC via AP)
However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned US against its intervention and “a miscalculation”. “Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” Qalibaf said, Reuters reported.
The protests in Iran began on December 28 in response to soaring prices, and later on turned against the clerical rulers who have remained at the throne of power in the Islamic Republic since 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Meanwhile, the Iranian administration, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has accused US and Israel of orchestrating trouble in the country and called for a nationwide rally on Monday to condemn “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel” in Iran, state media reported.
US President Donald Trump has offered support to Iranian protesters, and earlier wrote on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
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Iran protests deaths: In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran shows protesters taking to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran. (AP) 
