Iranian authorities are grappling with a deadly crackdown on protesters as demonstrations against economic woes intensify. State media has reported that over 100 security personnel have been killed in clashes across the country, with 30 officers slain in Isfahan province and six more in Kermanshah. The Iranian Red Crescent Society confirmed one staff member's death during an attack on a relief building in Gorgan.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the US and Israel could face retaliation if Washington were to launch military strikes, calling for Iranians to distance themselves from "rioters and terrorists." However, human rights groups have urged restraint amid reports of protest-related casualties and mass arrests. Iran Human Rights has reported at least 51 protesters killed by security forces, including nine children.
Speaking in parliament, Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned the US against "a miscalculation" while vowing to defend Iranian interests if attacked. The parliament speaker accused some demonstrators of sparking violence, likening them to ISIS fighters.
Iran's police chief has stepped up measures against rioters, and the army has vowed to protect national interests by defending strategic infrastructure and public property. A nationwide internet blackout has remained in place for over 60 hours, according to NetBlocks, which warns it poses a direct threat to Iranians' safety and wellbeing.
The country's largest protests in years are fueled by economic crises stemming from crippling Western sanctions. Demonstrations began in late December but escalated into violence on Thursday, with protesters and authorities clashing in Tehran. Academic Hassan Ahmadian noted that the majority of Iranians are unhappy with both the economy and violence, suggesting that many are looking for peaceful ways to express their grievances.
The situation has sparked concern, with Trump saying he is "ready to help" protesters while vowing to hit Iran "very hard" if it launches a military strike. Iran's president and parliament speaker have exchanged threats, escalating tensions between the two countries.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the US and Israel could face retaliation if Washington were to launch military strikes, calling for Iranians to distance themselves from "rioters and terrorists." However, human rights groups have urged restraint amid reports of protest-related casualties and mass arrests. Iran Human Rights has reported at least 51 protesters killed by security forces, including nine children.
Speaking in parliament, Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned the US against "a miscalculation" while vowing to defend Iranian interests if attacked. The parliament speaker accused some demonstrators of sparking violence, likening them to ISIS fighters.
Iran's police chief has stepped up measures against rioters, and the army has vowed to protect national interests by defending strategic infrastructure and public property. A nationwide internet blackout has remained in place for over 60 hours, according to NetBlocks, which warns it poses a direct threat to Iranians' safety and wellbeing.
The country's largest protests in years are fueled by economic crises stemming from crippling Western sanctions. Demonstrations began in late December but escalated into violence on Thursday, with protesters and authorities clashing in Tehran. Academic Hassan Ahmadian noted that the majority of Iranians are unhappy with both the economy and violence, suggesting that many are looking for peaceful ways to express their grievances.
The situation has sparked concern, with Trump saying he is "ready to help" protesters while vowing to hit Iran "very hard" if it launches a military strike. Iran's president and parliament speaker have exchanged threats, escalating tensions between the two countries.
i feel so bad for the families of those children...iran is in such a tough spot with all these sanctions affecting their economy and people are getting frustrated its like they have no other choice but to take to the streets but at what cost? 
i hope world leaders can come together and talk some sense into iran's president, military strikes will only make things worse 
[Image of a cat in a tutu, looking shocked] 
US politicians think they can just threaten Iran with violence and expect them to calm down? Meanwhile, Iranians are over here living their best lives... 
[GIF of a person throwing money away]
. Let's focus on finding peaceful solutions for a change. I mean, who needs another war when we can have a nice cuppa and some constructive conversation 
️?
i wish world leaders would take a step back and think about what they're doing before they make any decisions.
this is not a game of cat and mouse, people's lives are at stake.
I mean, most Iranians aren't against violence, but they're mostly unhappy with the economy and lack of jobs... so it's not that simple, right?
It's like the government is trying to cut off their voices and perspectives. And now Trump is saying he'll help protesters but also threaten Iran... it's all just so complicated and scary 
And the fact that President Pezeshkian is calling for retaliation against the US and Israel... it's just setting off a whole chain reaction of escalating tensions. 
How can you even justify something like that? And don't even get me started on this nationwide internet blackout - it's like they're trying to suffocate the people under their control. 
It's like they're trying to create a whole different reality. And Trump just throwing around threats left and right... it's like he's playing a bad game of Risk again 
. But for real, how many lives need to be lost over economic stuff? Can't we all just get along and find some peaceful solutions? 
I mean, I'm no expert, but even Hassan Ahmadian said that most Iranians are just looking for ways to express themselves without getting hurt. And now they're having to deal with internet blackouts and protests turning violent... it's like the whole country is caught in this vicious cycle 
. I think we need to focus on finding peaceful solutions for their economic problems instead of using violence 
. It's like, how many more lives have to be lost? 
Those protesters are just trying to express their frustration and find a way forward, but the authorities keep clamping down 
. Like, who is at fault here? The people who are struggling financially or the ones in power who aren't doing anything to help? 
It's time for some real leadership and dialogue 
. We need to support human rights groups and organizations that are working towards peace and understanding 
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, that's just not right. The police chief saying he'll crack down on rioters doesn't solve anything. I wish world leaders would take a step back and think about the human cost of all this. Can't we find a way for everyone to be heard without it getting violent? 
I need some credible sources on this claim, not just Iranian state media reports.
I want to see some concrete evidence of his plan before I believe it.
. Trump's threats are super scary too 
. Can't we all just try to find peaceful solutions to our problems? 
. Where's the nuance? 
It feels like a total human rights disaster unfolding before our eyes. Can we please just hope for peaceful resolutions and more dialogue between the government and protesters? 
. But at the same time, the US and Israel are all like "hey, we'll defend ourselves if attacked" 
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. Can't we all just try to understand each other? 
