Iranian authorities have escalated their crackdown on protesters, arresting key figures in the movement as the country teeters on the brink of chaos. The arrests come amid growing tensions with the United States, which has threatened to intervene militarily if Iranian forces continue to use deadly force against demonstrators.
The national police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, announced the arrests without specifying the number of those detained, but warned that they would face punishment after undergoing legal procedures. This comes as the government has already imposed severe penalties on protesters, with the attorney general stating that those caught participating in demonstrations could be charged with being "enemies of God," a crime punishable by death.
The protests, which began two weeks ago over economic concerns, have evolved into a broader movement calling for political reform and an end to the government's authoritarian rule. The unrest has been marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in at least 116 deaths and 2,600 arrests.
As tensions with the United States continue to escalate, Iranian officials have issued warnings that any US intervention would be met with force. "In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets," said Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the parliament.
Despite the government's efforts to suppress dissent, protests continue to erupt across the country. Videos posted on social media show thousands of protesters gathered in northern Tehran, banging pots and chanting slogans, while in other cities, protesters have confronted police forces, blocking roads and setting fires.
Human rights groups have reported a growing death toll among protesters, with some estimates suggesting that hundreds may have been killed in recent days. The Center for Human Rights in Iran has received credible reports from witnesses, and activists have managed to send messages and videos out of the country using satellite internet services like Starlink.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appears to be adopting a harder line on protests, urging restraint but also warning that the government will not tolerate "rioters" who seek to destroy society. The country's security forces remain on high alert, and any further escalation of violence could have catastrophic consequences for the already fragile situation in Iran.
The national police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, announced the arrests without specifying the number of those detained, but warned that they would face punishment after undergoing legal procedures. This comes as the government has already imposed severe penalties on protesters, with the attorney general stating that those caught participating in demonstrations could be charged with being "enemies of God," a crime punishable by death.
The protests, which began two weeks ago over economic concerns, have evolved into a broader movement calling for political reform and an end to the government's authoritarian rule. The unrest has been marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in at least 116 deaths and 2,600 arrests.
As tensions with the United States continue to escalate, Iranian officials have issued warnings that any US intervention would be met with force. "In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets," said Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the parliament.
Despite the government's efforts to suppress dissent, protests continue to erupt across the country. Videos posted on social media show thousands of protesters gathered in northern Tehran, banging pots and chanting slogans, while in other cities, protesters have confronted police forces, blocking roads and setting fires.
Human rights groups have reported a growing death toll among protesters, with some estimates suggesting that hundreds may have been killed in recent days. The Center for Human Rights in Iran has received credible reports from witnesses, and activists have managed to send messages and videos out of the country using satellite internet services like Starlink.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appears to be adopting a harder line on protests, urging restraint but also warning that the government will not tolerate "rioters" who seek to destroy society. The country's security forces remain on high alert, and any further escalation of violence could have catastrophic consequences for the already fragile situation in Iran.
I'm getting super worried about this situation in Iran... The more I read about it, the more I realize that these protests are not just about economic stuff, they're about people's lives and freedom! 
116 deaths is a crazy number, and it's only been two weeks since the protests started. It feels like time is running out for those arrested protesters, and the US isn't doing enough to help. I mean, threats of military intervention are not a solution, but at the same time, Iran can't just keep suppressing dissent without facing international backlash. 
The whole thing feels super volatile... 
. And now Iranian officials are threatening us with force if we intervene? Give me a break 
. It's always the same story - government overreacts, civilians get caught in the crossfire, and innocent people lose their lives 
.
. I mean, how are they supposed to operate when the government is basically shooting anyone who dares to speak out? It's like a big ol' game of "hide and seek" with no winners 
.
. And what's going to happen at the end of this? Who knows? But one thing's for sure - innocent people are going to keep getting hurt 
.
this is insane! How can one gov't just keep cracking down on its own people? I mean, 116 deaths?! That's like, what even is the point? 
And what's with these "enemies of God" charges?! Like, who even says that anymore? 
The only thing I'm worried about is the global implications. What if this spreads to other countries? It's like a domino effect... 
and now the US is gettin' involved? like, this is gettin' outta hand... it's all just a big mess 
i hope someone can calm this situation down before it's too late 
anyway, it's crazy how the government is cracking down hard on protesters, arrested key figures and all that... it's like they're trying to squash the whole movement before it even has a chance to really take off. 116 deaths? 2,600 arrests?! it's just heartbreaking 
and we're all stuck watching from the sidelines 
and don't even get me started on those "enemies of God" charges 