Iran Protests: Rising Death Toll and U.S. Strike Threat
Data on Protest Victims
According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), 5,032 deaths have been confirmed in the unrest since late December. Another 12,904 cases are under verification, and the total number of detainees has exceeded 26,000.
A resident of the city of Karaj said that his relative, who works in a hospital, mentioned about 9,000 patients with gunshot wounds. However, none of them were officially admitted to the hospital.
Time magazine, citing high-ranking officials of the Iranian Ministry of Health, reports that about 30,000 people may have died during the protests on January 8 and 9. The publication claims the number of victims was so high that emergency services ran out of body bags and had to use tractor-trailers for transportation.
Earlier, Iranian state television released official data according to which 3,117 people were killed, including 2,427 civilians and law enforcement officers.
Threat of Military Strike from the United States
According to Israel«s Channel 13, the United States may strike Iran in the near future. Last week, a meeting was held between Israel»s top military leadership and the head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, where the American side stated that a final decision has not yet been made, but preparations for a possible operation are complete.
A high-ranking Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would consider any U.S. attack as the start of a full-scale war. The Times of Israel newspaper, citing the opposition website Iran International, reported that Iran«s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has taken refuge in an underground bunker in anticipation of a possible attack.
On January 25, Iranian authorities placed a billboard with a warning to the United States in Tehran«s central square. The image shows an aircraft carrier with burning fighter jets on a deck flooded with blood, which flows into the water, forming a resemblance of the American flag. Next to it is written the slogan: »As you sow, so shall you reap.«
Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is heading to the region. U.S. President Donald Trump explained that the ships are moving «just in case» a decision is made to take action.
Airspace Restrictions and Flight Cancellations
On the evening of January 25, Iran introduced a three-month ban on flights of aircraft at low altitudes, according to an international NOTAM notice. Exceptions are made for state, military, search and rescue, and medical aviation.
As reported by the NY Post, major airlines, including United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Swiss Airlines, have canceled flights to a number of Middle Eastern countries amid fears of a possible U.S. strike on Iran.
Internet Blockages and Calls to Lift Them
The son of Iran«s president, Yousef Pezeshkian, called on the authorities to restore internet access. He stated that the blockage would only widen the gap between the people and the government.
«This means that those who were not and are not dissatisfied will be added to the list of the dissatisfied,» wrote Yousef Pezeshkian on Telegram. «The publication of videos showing violence during the protests is »something we will have to face sooner or later.«»
Currently, the internet in Iran remains disconnected, although a week ago the authorities unblocked the SMS messaging service.
The protests in Iran began on December 28, accompanied by clashes with security forces and anti-government demonstrations. U.S. President Donald Trump earlier threatened to strike if the authorities began executing protesters, and then stated that he had received information about the cessation of executions and thanked Iran for this decision.
