Iran’s security forces have killed at least 538 people during a nationwide crackdown on protests, activists monitoring the unrest reported, with fears that the true death toll may be significantly higher. The violence comes as demonstrations have continued for a second consecutive week across the country.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Sunday that more than 10,600 people have been detained since the protests began. The organization, which relies on a network of activists inside Iran to crosscheck information, has previously provided data that proved reliable during earlier waves of unrest.
As pressure mounts domestically, Tehran has issued sharp warnings abroad. Iranian officials said that the United States military and Israel would be considered ‘legitimate targets’ if Washington were to use force to protect demonstrators.
The situation remains volatile, with limited access to independent reporting from inside Iran and growing international concern over the scale of casualties, mass arrests and escalating rhetoric from Iranian authorities.
