Iran signaled Friday that security forces would crack down on protesters, directly challenging U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to support those peacefully demonstrating as the death toll rose to at least 62 people across 11 provinces. The protests, which began as economic grievances over rising prices and unemployment, have morphed into one of the biggest challenges the Islamic Republic has faced in its 47-year history.
President Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran, stating that the United States would intervene if demonstrators were killed. In an interview, Trump declared that he has let Iranian leaders know that if they start killing people during riots, the U.S. would respond with force. This marks an escalation in rhetoric as the White House watches the situation closely.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump's warnings, claiming the American president has hands stained with the blood of Iranians. Iranian state television broadcast footage of Khamenei supporters shouting anti-American slogans. Iran's Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi Azad warned Saturday that protesters would be considered an enemy of God, a charge that carries the death penalty in Iran.
Amnesty International reported that at least 51 people have been killed, including eight children, during two weeks of protests. The organization warned that the Iranian authorities have deliberately blocked internet access to hide the true extent of human rights violations. Some protesters are reportedly using Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, to bypass the government's internet blackout and share footage of the demonstrations.
The protests have spread to cities across the country, with demonstrators ignoring threats of severe punishment from Iran's leaders. Videos posted on social media indicate that security forces have unleashed a fierce crackdown, with reports of massive use of violence in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran. The situation remains volatile as international observers call for restraint.
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