Iran's Anti-Regime Protests Enter Third Week, Leave Trail of Death and Destruction. Footage showing rows of body bags, some taken by protesters, others by Iranian forces, has surfaced outside a Tehran morgue, revealing the scale of the violence. According to CBS News partner network the BBC, around 180 body bags were counted in footage taken alone from the location.
As the protests enter their third week, the death toll has risen to over 600, according to Iran Human Rights organization based in Norway. The exact number cannot be independently verified by CBS News. Despite the government's efforts to cut off internet access and phone service in the capital, protesters continue to take to the streets, chanting "death to the dictator" and calling for an end to the Islamic Republic.
Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities have announced plans to resume internet services after a late last week shutdown, although no specific timeline has been given. In contrast, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene if Iran kills protesters, with two Defense Department officials telling CBS News that he has been briefed on options for military and covert actions.
Among these options are missiles, cyber operations, and psychological warfare, according to the officials. Trump himself has stated that he is looking at "very strong options" and believes the Iranian regime wants to negotiate a solution to the crisis. However, Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that Iran would retaliate against any US attack.
Behind closed doors, Trump suggested that the Iranian regime is seeking a diplomatic solution, stating "Iran wants to negotiate." A meeting at the White House on Tuesday will discuss updated options for Iran, with it unclear whether the President himself will attend.
As the protests enter their third week, the death toll has risen to over 600, according to Iran Human Rights organization based in Norway. The exact number cannot be independently verified by CBS News. Despite the government's efforts to cut off internet access and phone service in the capital, protesters continue to take to the streets, chanting "death to the dictator" and calling for an end to the Islamic Republic.
Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities have announced plans to resume internet services after a late last week shutdown, although no specific timeline has been given. In contrast, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene if Iran kills protesters, with two Defense Department officials telling CBS News that he has been briefed on options for military and covert actions.
Among these options are missiles, cyber operations, and psychological warfare, according to the officials. Trump himself has stated that he is looking at "very strong options" and believes the Iranian regime wants to negotiate a solution to the crisis. However, Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that Iran would retaliate against any US attack.
Behind closed doors, Trump suggested that the Iranian regime is seeking a diplomatic solution, stating "Iran wants to negotiate." A meeting at the White House on Tuesday will discuss updated options for Iran, with it unclear whether the President himself will attend.
This whole situation in Iran is like a never-ending labyrinth... We're seeing death and destruction unfold before our eyes, yet still people take to the streets, fueled by hope for change 
. It's like the world is holding its breath, waiting to see what will happen next. The government's efforts to cut off internet access and phone service are just a reminder that power comes with great responsibility 
. And now, with Trump weighing in, it feels like the whole world is playing this complex game of cat and mouse 
.
? The protesters may be calling for an end to the Islamic Republic, but what will they replace it with? Will it be democracy, freedom, or just another form of control 
?
. It's about us recognizing our own flaws and weaknesses, and working towards a better world for all of us 
.
. The fact that there are over 600 people dead and thousands more injured is just heartbreaking 
. And now the US is talking about sending missiles or doing cyber operations? It's like, shouldn't we be trying to resolve conflicts peacefully instead of escalating them even further 
?
. I'm not sure what Trump's plan is, but if he's really hoping to negotiate with the Iranian regime then maybe they should have tried that before things got this bad 
.
Can we please try to find a solution that doesn't involve playing games with people's minds?
. I mean, 180 body bags?! That's just heartbreaking 
. One minute Trump is saying he wants to negotiate, the next minute he's talking about sending in missiles or cyber operations... it's like, can't we all just try to find a peaceful solution here? 
. I hope the Iranian government starts taking responsibility for what's happening and works towards finding a peaceful resolution, rather than resorting to violence 
.
. How can we even comprehend such scale of violence? 
Every life matters and no one deserves to die over regime change 
. US involvement is a risk, we don't know the consequences 
. Can't they talk instead of threatening military action? 
Let's focus on listening & dialogue rather than guns 
.
meanwhile trump's all talk no action 
This situation in Iran is just heartbreaking man... I mean, 600+ people dead and thousands more injured? 
I don't know man... it feels like we're all just playing a big game of chicken here...
... and what about the protesters themselves? do they stand a chance against the government's forces? 
...
meanwhile i'm wondering if we're just enabling the dictators by not doing more 
what's your take on all this??
, what do you guys think is gonna happen next?
u can literally see rows of body bags outside a morgue, some taken by protesters others by iranian forces... its just so sad 
instead of just threatening missiles and cyber ops, can't we try something a bit more peaceful like, idk, a united front against dictatorships? 
this is getting so out of hand... 600+ deaths and no end in sight 
some days he's talking diplomacy, others it's all about military action 
.
Like, remember when we had a school debate on climate change and it was really respectful? 
That's the kind of discussion we should be having in our country too! 
I don't think anyone wants that, not even Trump himself. He seems like he's genuinely trying to find a diplomatic solution, but at the same time, the Iranian government is all about denying any involvement and playing hardball. It's like, can't we just talk things out?! 
The more I hear about this, the more I'm convinced that it's gonna be a long, dark winter for Iran 
.