Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday. Tehran warned it could target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump follows through on renewed threats to intervene in support of protesters.
The demonstrations are the largest since 2022 and began on December 28 over soaring prices before turning into broader protests against Iran’s clerical leadership. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 arrests over two weeks. Iran has not released official figures.
Trump said he would meet senior advisers to discuss options on Iran and told reporters that the U.S. was considering «very strong options». He said he was in contact with Iranian opposition figures and claimed Iran’s leaders had sought talks, though he gave no details.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against what he called a miscalculation. He said any attack on Iran would make U.S. bases and ships legitimate targets.
Authorities tighten crackdown and restrict information
Authorities have intensified a crackdown, blaming the unrest on the United States and Israel and calling for nationwide rallies to condemn what they described as foreign-backed actions. An internet blackout has limited information from inside Iran, while social media footage has shown large crowds, fires and explosions in several cities.
The United Nations secretary-general urged restraint and called for the protection of rights to peaceful assembly and expression. Iran declared three days of national mourning for those it described as martyrs killed resisting the United States and Israel.
Iranian officials labelled protesters as rioters and terrorists, while President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel and the U.S. of orchestrating destabilisation but said the government was willing to listen to public concerns over economic problems.
Britain’s ambassador was summoned by Iran over alleged interventionist comments. Analysts said the protests were unlikely to topple the ruling system but could leave it significantly weakened.
Trump said the United States was ready to help Iranians seeking freedom. Demonstrations in support of Iranian protesters were also held abroad, including in the United States, where authorities said several people were injured when a vehicle drove into a crowd at a rally in Los Angeles.
