Iran has warned the United States against any military intervention, as the death toll from ongoing protests reportedly soars into the hundreds. At least 538 people have been killed, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, including 490 protesters. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group puts the figure at 192, but all estimates are expected to be undercounts due to a complete internet blackout.
The protests, now in their second week, were triggered by a sharp decline in the currency but have escalated into demands for political reform and the overthrow of the government. Authorities have intensified their crackdown, with the national police chief announcing the arrest of key protest leaders. The attorney general has warned that protesters could face charges of being 'an enemy of God', punishable by death.
US President Donald Trump has said the US stands ready to help, and is reportedly considering options including military strikes, cyber weapons, and sanctions. Iranian officials have responded defiantly, with parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warning that Israel and US interests in the region would be 'legitimate targets' if Washington attacks.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the US and Israel of fomenting unrest, and called for a 'national resistance march' on Monday. The government has declared three days of mourning for security forces killed in the violence. Analysts say the regime is weakened by economic crisis and the aftermath of its summer war with Israel, making this the most significant unrest in years.
