Iran has issued a warning of immediate retaliatory strikes against the US if President Donald Trump intervenes in the ongoing protests. The country has been engulfed in chaos, with reports of more than 500 fatalities and 10,000 arrests in Tehran and various cities.
Amid discussions of potential US involvement to support the protestors, Iranian officials have declared that the US could be a “legitimate target.” Opposition groups from Britain have shared accounts of police violence against demonstrators, including elderly individuals demonstrating bravery by confronting armed forces.
Witnesses have described intense confrontations, with civilians facing deadly force and hospitals overwhelmed with casualties. Despite internet restrictions, protesters have utilized special communication terminals to share footage globally. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf has cautioned that the US and Israel could face retaliation if they attack Iran.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the US and Israel for instigating unrest, alleging their involvement in training and inciting violence. Iranian authorities have escalated their crackdown on protesters, leading to arrests of key figures. The police chief attributed a significant number of deaths to directed individuals, hinting at impending legal repercussions for riot participants.
Trump has expressed readiness to assist the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom, triggering further threats from Iranian politicians against US intervention. Activists have reported a high death toll and numerous arrests, with victims primarily targeted by live ammunition. Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi has voiced support for the protestors, urging unity and caution in their actions.
In Tehran, masked demonstrators have clashed with security forces, while videos depict scenes of unrest and calls for regime change. The situation remains volatile as the international community closely monitors developments in Iran’s internal strife.