The situation is continuously worsening amid the fierce protests that have been going on in Iran since December 28. According to human rights activists, more than 2,000 people have died so far, while some reports put the figure at more than 2,500. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump gave a stern warning to the Iranian government, saying that the killing of protesters will not be tolerated and help is on the way.
Trump has appealed to the people of Iran to continue protesting, while the Iranian government has partially lifted some restrictions, allowing people to make phone calls abroad after several days. However, internet and SMS services are still down, due to which connectivity inside and outside the country remains extremely limited.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the death toll in the ongoing protests in Iran has increased to 2,571. At the same time, Iranian state TV also admitted that the country has suffered losses. Ahmed Mousavi, head of Iran’s Martyrs Foundation, was quoted as saying that the country has suffered huge losses due to armed and terrorist groups. However, international human rights organizations allege that most of the deaths were caused by security forces.
Donald Trump issued a sharp message on his social media platform Truth Social, calling on Iranians to intensify protests. He wrote that Iranian people should continue to protest, occupy their institutions. Protect the names of murderers and torturers, they will have to pay a heavy price. Until the killings stop, I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials. Help is on the way.
Trump said he is meeting frequently with his national security advisers and is confident that the scale of the killings in Iran is extremely serious. “They are misbehaving very badly,” he said. They should show humanity. This is a very big problem. Trump indicated that if the situation does not improve, America will take action accordingly.
Iran has accused Trump of spreading political instability, inciting violence and endangering the country’s sovereignty. Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, wrote a letter to the Security Council saying that America and Israel are responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians, especially youth.
In an interview with CBS News, Trump warned that the United States would take “very strong action” if Iran executed protesters. He said, ‘My goal is to win. I like to win.’ In response, Iran alleged that America was looking for an excuse for military intervention.
Many European countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors regarding violence and internet shutdown in Iran. Finland described the internet shutdown as silent repression. The Netherlands, France and Germany have called the violence inhumane and unacceptable. Britain and the European Union have announced new sanctions on Iran. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the rising number of deaths in Iran was horrifying.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk appealed to Iran to stop violence against peaceful protesters and stop labeling them terrorists. He said Iranian citizens have the right to demonstrate peacefully and their grievances should be heard, not suppressed.
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