Iran’s armed forces have vowed to protect “strategic infrastructure” and urged citizens to counter alleged “enemy plots” as protests intensified across the country, posing the most serious internal challenge to the Islamic Republic since 2022.
Authorities report deadly clashes between demonstrators and security forces, while rights groups cite a rising civilian toll. The government has blamed foreign actors and imposed an internet blackout to contain unrest.
Key developments
• The army accused Israel and “hostile terrorist groups” of undermining national security.
• Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad ordered courts to act “quickly and without leniency”.
• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of acting on behalf of the US.
• Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report at least 28 protesters killed by early January.
• A separate rights group put the death toll at 65, including security personnel.
The protests began over rising prices before evolving into nationwide anti-government demonstrations, prompting mass arrests, communications blackouts, and pro-government rallies.
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