7 months ago
Iran Protests Escalate with Threats and Crackdowns
There are big protests happening in Iran because people are upset about the economy.
The government is using a lot of force to stop the protests, which has led to many people getting hurt or killed.
Some people outside Iran, like former U.S. President Donald Trump, are supporting the protesters and warning the Iranian government.
The Iranian government is also making threats and saying they might execute some of the protesters.
The internet was shut down to make it harder for people to communicate, but some services like Starlink are helping people stay connected.
Many countries, including India, are advising their citizens to leave Iran because it's not safe.
Iranian authorities are using excessive force, including rifles and shotguns, to crack down on protesters, leading to mass killings.
Protests erupted on December 28, 2024, over economic conditions and have since escalated, with an internet shutdown imposed on January 8, 2025.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly supported the protesters and threatened the Iranian government with strong action if the crackdown continues.
Iranian officials have signaled plans for fast trials and executions for detained protesters, while also threatening retaliation against the U.S. and Israel.
The death toll from the protests is reported to be at least 2,615 protesters and 153 government-affiliated individuals, with over 18,400 detainees.
- Who
- Iranian authorities, protesters, former U.S. President Donald Trump
- What
- Mass protests, crackdowns, threats, and international responses
- Where
- Across Iran, with international implications
- When
- Since December 28, 2024, with significant events in January 2025
- Why
- Protests over economic conditions, government crackdown, and international political tensions
Key facts
- Organization
- Amnesty International, Iranian Government, US Government
- Date
- January 2025
- Evidence
- Verified video evidence and eyewitness reports
- Weapons Used
- Rifles and shotguns loaded with metal pellets
- Target Areas
- Heads and torsos of unarmed protesters
- Protest Start Date
- December 28, 2024
- Internet Shutdown
- Yes, during protests
- Death Toll
- At least 2,615 protesters and 153 government-affiliated
- Detainees
- More than 18,400
- Starlink Service
- Free service offered to bypass internet shutdown
Timeline
Iran defies global warnings, sparks violence.
Threats issued, but no action taken; protests intensify.
Iran deploys excessive force, violence escalates.
Death toll rises as Iran cracks down on protests.
Excessive force continues, leaving many dead or injured.
Quotes
Ali D
Iraqi Interior Ministry employee working at the Shalamcheh border crossing
“"These religious trips usually carry the logos of well-known companies or offices, and the buses are typically mixed, with families and young people. However, all the buses that left were carrying only young men wearing identical black shirts."”
NDTV
“"We discussed the presence of all these buses that left without us knowing their destination, and they left without being inspected."”
NDTV
Mehdi Reza
Iranian opposition figure and leader of media campaigns supporting the protests
“"For more than a week, Iraqi militias have been involved in suppressing the demonstrations in various parts of Iran, but many of them have been deployed to guard official or military headquarters, according to confirmations from protesters inside Iran."”
NDTV
“"The numbers are significant, and eyewitnesses in Ahvaz who participated in the demonstrations reported that among those involved in suppressing them were individuals who spoke Arabic with an Iraqi accent."”
NDTV
Mohammed Iyad's mother
Mother of Mohammed Iyad, an Iraqi man who joined the militias
“"Despite our refusal, he insisted on going. He left on Tuesday, January 6, and said he went to Basra and then to the Iranian border via the Shalamcheh border crossing. We lost contact with him on Wednesday after the internet went down."”
NDTV
Abu Azrael
Senior commander in the Imam Ali Brigades, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia
“"Whoever burns houses of worship and attacks the people's institutions is neither a revolutionary nor a reformer, but rather a cheap tool in the hands of the nation's enemies, implementing Zionist agendas under the guise of chaos and false slogans ... with the Republic against global arrogance."”
NDTV
US State Department
US State Department's Persian-language account on X
“"This regime has spent billions of dollars belonging to the Iranian people on terrorist proxy forces. Deploying those forces against its own citizens would be yet another profound betrayal of the Iranian people."”
NDTV
Donald Trump
US President
“"I've been told on good authority that plans for executions in Iran have stopped."”
NDTV
Sources
Iran Committing Mass Unlawful Killings "On Unprecedented Scale": Amnesty
Iran State TV Airs Threat Against Trump Amid Protest Uprising
Iran Brings In Iraqi Militia To Crack Down On Protesters Amid US Threats
Iran signals plans for fast trials, executions while promising retaliation against US, Israel
Govt advises Indian nationals to leave Iran
