As protests spread to every province and the death toll reaches 44, fires have erupted in the streets while the Iranian government attempts to suppress dissent by cutting off internet and phone services.
Before the death toll was announced, President Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation:
“If they start killing people…we are going to hit them very hard.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei labeled the anti-government demonstrators as “troublemakers” and “vandals” who are merely trying “to please the president of the U.S.”
He accused the crowds of vandalizing property because Donald Trump expressed his support for them. Trump has cautioned Iran that if it resorts to killing protesters, the U.S. would respond “very hard.”
The protests, now in their 13th day, began over economic issues and have escalated into the largest demonstrations in years, with calls for the end of the Islamic Republic and some advocating for the restoration of the monarchy.
According to human rights organizations, at least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have lost their lives. An internet blackout has been implemented.
