Protesters gathered in a street in Tehran on Friday, 9 January MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images
The protests in Iran, which have been ongoing for the past two weeks, have escalated into a serious crisis, with anti-government demonstrators and pro-government supporters clashing on the streets. In Tehran and other cities, the violent confrontations have led to an unverified number of deaths, reportedly in the hundreds, while over 2,600 individuals have been arrested.
Despite a deadly government crackdown, protesters continued to defy the authorities on Saturday night, with reports indicating that hundreds have been killed or wounded by security forces over the past few days.
Protesters have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to rising inflation and government policies, challenging the authorities’ harsh response. As a result, numerous areas have seen streets stained with blood, and images of mourning over corpses in hospitals have emerged.
Intense clashes occurred between protesters and police in the Kahriz area, located in the south of Tehran. According to the London-based news outlet Iran International, 400 people have been killed and over 100 armed individuals arrested.
Trump wrote on social media on Saturday,: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
He did not elaborate, but US media reported that Trump had been briefed on options for military strikes in the country.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has declared the country’s defense a “red line,” pledging to take all necessary measures to protect public property and national interests. The Iranian military has also expressed its commitment to safeguarding both the public and government installations.
The protests in Iran began on December 28 of last year, and since January 8, internet services have been completely shut down, severely limiting the access of both protesters and media.
Reza Shah, the exiled son of the former Shah of Iran, posted on social media that the regime now finds itself incapable of confronting the millions of protesters, with many young security forces refusing to shoot at the public. He claimed that only a few violent elements remain aligned with Khamenei.
The international community is deeply concerned about the situation in Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on military options against Iran, including the possibility of targeting non-military sites.
However, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed plans for an attack on Iran, stating that such an action would be illegal and would not receive support from Congress.
President Trump wrote on social media that the U.S. is ready to support the protesters, adding that Iran is “looking toward freedom, something that has never happened before.”
The ongoing protests in Iran have also sparked reactions worldwide. Demonstrations were held outside the Iranian Embassy in London, where protesters lowered the official flag and raised the pre-revolutionary flag of Iran. The police arrested two individuals, with a third still being sought.
Protests against Iran’s Supreme Leader have also taken place in Canada.
The tension between the Iranian government and its people continues to escalate, leading to heightened risks of civil war, with the international community closely monitoring the crisis.
