Iran protest: At least 500 dead in crackdown; Tehran warns US, Israel of consequences
Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests has reportedly killed over 538, with thousands detained amid an internet blackout. Tehran has warned the US and Israel of "legitimate targets" if force is used to protect demonstrators. Protests persist despite heavy security, fueled by economic collapse and calls challenging the theocratic system.
![Iran protest: At least 500 dead in crackdown; Tehran warns US, Israel of consequences](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-126467999,imgsize-46236,width-400,resizemode-4/126467999.jpg "Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests has reportedly killed over 538, with thousands detained amid an internet blackout. Tehran has warned the US and Israel of "legitimate targets" if force is used to protect demonstrators. Protests persist despite heavy security, fueled by economic collapse and calls challenging the theocratic system.")
Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests has reportedly killed over 538, with thousands detained amid an internet blackout. Tehran has warned the US and Israel of "legitimate targets" if force is used to protect demonstrators. Protests persist despite heavy security, fueled by economic collapse and calls challenging the theocratic system.
A crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed at least 538 people, with fears that the actual death toll could be far higher, activists said on Sunday, as Tehran warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators.More than 10,600 people have been detained over the past two weeks, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which relies on activists inside Iran to crosscheck information and has provided accurate figures in previous rounds of unrest.
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Iranian authorities have not released any official nationwide casualty figures. The Associated Press said it was unable to independently verify the toll due to an ongoing internet blackout and restrictions on international phone calls.
Internet blackout and fears of escalation
With internet services shut down and phone lines cut, assessing the scale of protests from outside Iran has become increasingly difficult. Rights groups and observers fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran’s security apparatus to intensify the crackdown.Despite restrictions, protesters again flooded the streets in Tehran and Iran’s second-largest city on Sunday, according to activists and online footage.
US President Donald Trump voiced support for the demonstrators, writing on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”Two people familiar with internal White House discussions said Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by either the US or Israel. The White House has not indicated that any decisions have been taken.
Parliament issues stark warning
Iran’s warning to the US and Israel came during a parliamentary speech by hard-line speaker Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf.“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”Lawmakers rushed the dais following the speech, chanting: “Death to America!”It remains unclear how seriously Iran is considering military action, particularly after its air defenses were badly damaged during the 12-day war with Israel in June.
