New York: About 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in protests in Iran, Reuters news agency reported, citing an Iranian official, who blamed “terrorists” for the deaths. The protests, in their 20th day on January 14, were initially triggered by record inflation and the sharp devaluation of Iran's currency, but have since snowballed into nationwide unrest across more than 280 locations.
In a brutal crackdown by the Ayatollah Khamenei regime, around 20,000 people have been reportedly arrested. Internet services have been shut for over five days, with reports of mass killings emerging from inside Iran. Activists say Iranians had been using Starlink to get information out, but the regime first jammed the signals using military-grade equipment and has now deployed militias to raid rooftops, confiscate terminals, and punish those using them.
Iran has warned regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey, of attacks on US bases in these countries in case of an attack, Reuters news agency reported.
Amidst all this, Iran is poised to execute 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, accused of involvement in the protests. Soltani, who had defied warnings from the Khamenei regime not to join the protests, would be the first execution linked to the nationwide anti-Khamenei unrest after being charged with "Moharebeh", meaning "enmity against God".
Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, signaled that there would be fast trials and executions ahead for those detained in nationwide protests.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah and a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition, in his latest message to Iranians, urged them to continue their fight against the current regime and acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s “help on its way" post.
Major developments>> The US government issued a strong warning to all American citizens to leave Iran immediately, amid escalating tensions in the ongoing protests against the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led Iranian regime. >> President Donald Trump said that the US would take "very strong action" if Iran began executing protesters. He has intensified pressure on Iran by announcing a 25% tariff on any country doing business with the country. >> White House envoy Steve Witkoff has quietly opened a channel of communication with exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last Shah, to discuss the unrest that has rocked cities across the Islamic Republic. >> European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas lauded the anti-regime protests led by Iranians. She denounced the use of force against the protestors and threatened to impose additional sanctions. >> China said that it supports Iran in maintaining its stability, adding that Beijing has always opposed interference in other countries' internal affairs and the use of force in international relations. |
