Iran Protest Crackdown: 'Massacre' Fears as Deaths Mount Amid Internet Blackout and Trump's Warning
CHRI said hospitals were “overwhelmed”, blood supplies were running low, and that many protesters had been shot in the eyes, describing it as deliberate tactic. | World News
Iran's government is facing intense criticism from human rights groups as the death toll rises in a wave of protests that have swept the country. Despite a near-total internet shutdown, demonstrators have continued to take to the streets in cities like Tehran and Mashhad, defying security forces and chanting slogans against the ruling clerical establishment.
The protests, which began over economic grievances, have escalated into a broader challenge to Iran's leadership and its relationship with the West. Amid the unrest, Iranian authorities have moved to quash the dissent, with eyewitness accounts and credible reports suggesting hundreds of protesters have been killed.
Human rights groups, including the Center for Human Rights in Iran, have warned of a 'massacre' unfolding in the country. They have also reported hospitals are overwhelmed, blood supplies are running low, and security forces are using deliberate tactics against protesters, including shooting them in the eyes.
The United States has openly voiced its support for the protesters, with President Donald Trump tweeting that Iran is 'looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before.' The US State Department has also weighed in, saying President Trump means business when he makes a threat.
Amid the escalating tensions, Iran's parliament speaker has issued a sharp warning to Washington and Tel Aviv, stating that in the event of a US military attack, both Israel and US military and shipping centers will be legitimate targets. The warning was delivered during a chaotic parliamentary session, with lawmakers chanting 'Death to America!'
As the situation continues to unfold, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to address the nation, promising economic reforms and a response to the protesters' demands. However, the question remains whether the government will be able to quell the unrest or whether the protests will continue to escalate into a full-blown crisis.
