Iran Protest Death Toll Rises, Tehran Ignores Trump's Threats
The death toll from the wave of protests in Iran has reportedly risen sharply. Activist groups monitoring the situation say the total number of deaths has reached 2,571 as of Wednesday, a sharp increase from around 500 at the start of the week. This figure remains difficult to independently verify, but it provides a glimpse into the severity of the escalation on the ground.
The situation is further clouded by the fact that Iran is reportedly entering its sixth day of a nationwide internet blackout. This has cut off many communication channels and made documentation of events extremely difficult, resulting in limited and often conflicting information on the ground.
From Washington, President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the dissidents and encouraged the demonstrations to continue. He also tweeted, "Help is on the way," without elaborating, and said he would "act accordingly" after assessing the number of protesters killed. Simultaneously, reports emerged that Trump had received a briefing on options for action against Iran, along with the threat of 25% tariffs on countries continuing to do business with Tehran.
This geopolitical tension has also shaken energy markets. Oil prices were briefly pushed higher by concerns about Iranian supply disruptions, although on Wednesday Brent began paring gains and returned to around $65 per barrel after a strong four-day rally. Domestically, Iranian authorities accused external parties of inciting unrest, while Gulf states were reportedly urging the US to avoid the option of a strike.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government signaled a crackdown that would intensify: it threatened asset seizures for those labeled "rioters" and urged swift prosecution of perpetrators of violence. Activist groups also reported more than 18,000 detentions, including some victims under 18, and there were concerns that some detainees would face serious charges that could result in the death penalty. Amid this uncertainty, the world's attention is now focused on two things: whether Iran will reopen internet access, and whether the US will actually escalate from threats to action. (alg)
Source: Newsmaker.id
