The death toll from Iran’s sweeping anti-government protests has surged past 544, with over 10,000 people reportedly arrested, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The unrest, which began in late December after a currency crisis, has ballooned into a nationwide call for dramatic political change, shaking the core of the country’s authoritarian regime.
President Donald Trump, closely monitoring the crisis, has amped up pressure on Tehran. Speaking to reporters and in a flurry of social media posts, Trump warned Iranian leaders against further bloodshed. “You better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting, too,” he said on Friday, doubling down the next day with, “The USA stands ready to help!!!” on Truth Social. Trump told NBC News he’s getting briefings “on the hour or less” and that a U.S. response could come “in the coming days.”
US Considers Strikes, Cyberattacks
Behind the scenes, White House officials confirm that Trump and his national security team are weighing an array of options. These range from cyber-attacks to direct military strikes, potentially involving Israel. The president has been briefed on possible military actions, but hasn’t made a final decision. “They’re starting to, it looks like,” Trump said, suggesting Iran is nearing the “red line” he previously set over protester deaths. If Iran’s forces target U.S. bases, Trump warned, “we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
Iranian leaders, meanwhile, have threatened they are “ready for war” in the face of escalating U.S. rhetoric. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled that both sides may be willing to hold talks, but the situation remains extremely tense. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S. and Israel of stoking unrest, yet insisted the government would address public grievances—while warning citizens to avoid “rioters and terrorists.”
International Watch and Uncertain Path Ahead
As the crisis unfolds, Israel has stepped up monitoring, with Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly holding overnight talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The international community is watching closely, but so far, responses have ranged from cautious support for Iranian protesters to outright warnings against foreign intervention.
For now, with over 544 killed and thousands detained, Iran’s streets remain a flashpoint for both domestic fury and international maneuvering. Whether the U.S. will follow through on its military threats—or if talks will prevail—remains uncertain as the world holds its breath.
