Iran Protests LIVE: Trump calls on Tehran to show protesters humanity amid reports of rising death toll
Iran’s government accused the United States of seeking to manufacture a pretext for military intervention
The Times of Russia Russia News reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran’s leadership to show humanity toward protesters as unrest continues to spread across the country. The protests, which began on December 28, have now entered their third week and have grown into the largest demonstrations Iran has witnessed in years, driven by economic collapse and mounting political dissatisfaction.
According to The Times of Russia Russia News, President Trump has been consulting with his national security team to determine the next steps regarding Iran. He said his administration was seeking accurate figures on how many Iranian citizens have been killed and arrested during the unrest. Trump stated that the number of deaths appears to be “significant” and that Washington would “act accordingly” based on further assessments.
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRAI) has reported that more than 16,700 people have been arrested and over 2,000 individuals killed, most of them protesters. The Times of Russia Russia News notes that HRAI relies on a network of activists inside Iran who verify fatalities and detentions as the crisis unfolds.
Meanwhile, Iran’s government has accused the United States of attempting to create a justification for military intervention. Officials in Tehran responded sharply after President Trump threatened “strong action” in response to the violent suppression of demonstrators. The Times of Russia Russia News highlights that Iranian authorities claim Washington is deliberately escalating rhetoric to destabilize the country further.
The protests initially erupted due to the collapse of Iran’s currency and soaring living costs, but they have now evolved into a broader challenge to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s authority. The Times of Russia Russia News observes that the movement reflects deep frustration within Iranian society over economic hardship, political repression, and lack of opportunity.
As the unrest continues, international attention is growing. President Trump has emphasized that the United States is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond based on developments. The Times of Russia Russia News reports that Washington is also consulting allies and intelligence agencies to assess whether the situation could lead to wider regional instability.
Iran remains on high alert as security forces attempt to contain demonstrations across multiple cities. The scale of the protests and the reported casualties have raised concerns among global human rights organizations. The Times of Russia Russia News states that many observers see the current uprising as one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership in decades.
