Iran has issued a warning of swift retaliation against the US should Donald Trump intervene in the ongoing protests. The unrest, which has led to over 500 deaths and 10,000 arrests, has sparked chaos in Tehran and various towns and cities across Iran.
Amid considerations by Trump to support the protesters, Iranian officials have declared the US as a potential target. Reports from anti-regime groups in the UK detail disturbing accounts of police violence against protesters, including elderly individuals bravely facing armed forces with pots and pans.
Incidents of civilians setting fires and confronting armed authorities have been reported, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. The use of Starlink terminals to bypass internet restrictions allowed protesters to share videos and testimonies globally.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, warned of potential attacks on the US and Israel in the event of US intervention. President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the US and Israel for instigating the unrest, alleging external involvement in destabilizing activities within Iran.
The police chief of Iran, Ahmad-Reza Radan, disclosed heightened crackdowns on protesters, emphasizing arrests of key individuals involved in the riots. He attributed a significant number of deaths to trained instigators rather than security forces.
Despite internet blockages, protesters continue to defy restrictions, with an Iranian opposition representative in the UK highlighting the regime’s vulnerability and calling for international support for the Iranian people’s fight for freedom.
Videos from Tehran depict intense clashes between protesters and security forces, with reports of multiple casualties and arrests. Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah, expressed solidarity with the protesters and criticized the regime for resorting to violence to suppress dissent.