Tension has increased further amid the ongoing nationwide demonstrations against the regime in Iran. At least 203 people have died so far in violence and repression during the nationwide protests that have been going on for almost two weeks in Iran. The shutdown of internet and phone services has made it difficult to independently confirm the situation.
According to activists, at least 203 people have died so far in violence related to the protests, while about 2,600 people have been detained. The shutdown of internet and phone services in Iran has made it difficult to assess the situation of the protests from abroad.
Iran is not revealing the death toll
According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, there has been a huge increase in the number of people who lost their lives in the protests. According to the agency, the dead included 162 protesters and 41 members of the security forces. The Iranian government has not released the number of casualties from the protests. The Associated Press (AP) is unable to independently assess the numbers due to an Internet and international phone call shutdown in Iran.
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‘If America attacks Iran, we will target American and Israeli soldiers’
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bakar Qalibaf has warned that if America attacks Iran, American and Israeli soldiers will be the targets. This warning comes at a time when demonstrations have been going on in the capital Tehran and the country’s second largest city for more than two weeks.
This statement came in the Parliament at a time when the MPs reached near the podium shouting slogans and raised slogans of Down with America. People abroad fear that the information blackout may encourage a tougher stance by security forces. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed support for the protesters on social media and said that America is ready to help. According to American media reports, Trump has been told options for possible military action on Iran, although a final decision has not been taken. At the same time, the US State Department warned that Trump also implements what he says.
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‘Will listen to protesters, but not allowed to destroy society’
On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian has said that the authorities will listen to the protesters, but the protesters are spreading throughout the Islamic Republic and the rioters are trying to destroy the entire society. The President said, people have concerns, we should sit with them and address their concerns. If it is our duty, we should address their concerns. But an even greater duty is that we do not allow a group of rioters to come and destroy the entire society.
