Tensions escalate in Iran as nationwide protests continue to spread, with demonstrators taking to the streets for the 14th consecutive day. The unrest, which began over a currency crisis, has now become a full-blown challenge to Iran's theocratic government.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 538 people have lost their lives in violence surrounding the demonstrations, with 490 of those being protesters and 48 members of the security forces. Another 10,600 people have been detained over the past two weeks.
Iranian authorities have issued increasingly stern threats against the US and its military presence in the region, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with "legitimate targets". The country's parliament speaker, Ali Qalibaf, said that the US military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if America strikes the Islamic Republic.
The situation has sparked fears of a violent crackdown by hard-liners within Iran's security services, despite warnings from President Trump that he is willing to strike the Islamic Republic if demonstrators are killed.
The Iranian government has cut off international telephone calls and limited internet access, making it increasingly difficult for foreign observers to monitor the situation. However, videos sent out of Iran appear to show protesters confronting security forces in various cities, including Tehran and Mashhad.
The US military has said that it is "postured with forces" ready to defend its interests in the region, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran.
Pope Francis has called for dialogue and peace, saying that he hopes and prays for the cultivation of this dialogue and peace, particularly in the Middle East where persistent tensions are causing the deaths of many people.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 538 people have lost their lives in violence surrounding the demonstrations, with 490 of those being protesters and 48 members of the security forces. Another 10,600 people have been detained over the past two weeks.
Iranian authorities have issued increasingly stern threats against the US and its military presence in the region, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with "legitimate targets". The country's parliament speaker, Ali Qalibaf, said that the US military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if America strikes the Islamic Republic.
The situation has sparked fears of a violent crackdown by hard-liners within Iran's security services, despite warnings from President Trump that he is willing to strike the Islamic Republic if demonstrators are killed.
The Iranian government has cut off international telephone calls and limited internet access, making it increasingly difficult for foreign observers to monitor the situation. However, videos sent out of Iran appear to show protesters confronting security forces in various cities, including Tehran and Mashhad.
The US military has said that it is "postured with forces" ready to defend its interests in the region, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran.
Pope Francis has called for dialogue and peace, saying that he hopes and prays for the cultivation of this dialogue and peace, particularly in the Middle East where persistent tensions are causing the deaths of many people.
i'm low-key worried bout those ppl in iran tho, 538 lives lost is NO JOKE. i don't know what's goin on over there but it seems like things are gettin intense fast. 
the us and israel should really try to keep their mouths shut for now tho, can we pls just focus on peacemakings? 
I'm all for condemning human rights abuses, but let's not forget Iran's got a history of using unrest to distract from their own economic woes... 538 lives lost is just devastating, can't stress that enough 
. The irony isn't lost on me that the US is essentially being told to back off while the Iranian government tries to suppress dissent at home 
538 lives lost already? 
it's a bloody mess out there. i'm worried about those protesters taking to the streets day after day. have they even been heard by anyone in power? 
international leaders better step up & do something, 'cause the situation is getting desperate over there
just another day in iran protests 538 lives lost already, that's insane 
security forces vs protesters, it's not even a game of cat and mouse anymore 
internet is cut off, what's the point of even protesting if no one's watching 
US & israel are just fueling the fire 
can't we all just talk about this instead of throwing threats around? 
On the other hand, the government needs to step up and listen to what the protesters have to say... or else it'll just get more out of control. 
And then there's the US and Israel getting involved, which is just adding fuel to the fire... I don't know, maybe they should just stay out of it? 
At the same time, if the Iranian government is cutting off phone calls and limiting internet access, that's just not right either. They need to let the people express themselves freely... unless, you know, it's a legitimate security threat or something. 
. Can't they see it's just gonna make things worse? 
The economy was already struggling with this currency crisis... now it's like they're fueling more unrest 
. The US is all "we've got your back" but Israel's like "let's just chill" 
. Pope Francis trying to calm things down with dialogue and peace - we should all be rooting for that 
. But seriously, Iran needs help... when will they talk? 
. I'm really worried about the situation escalating further, it could get out of hand. The Iranian government needs to listen to the people and find a peaceful solution 
.
The US, Israel, and Iran are all playing this massive game of chicken, and we're just here for the popcorn. The Pope wants us to be all calm and peaceful? Give me a break, let the grown-ups handle it! And another thing, 538 people dead is pretty impressive...like, who needs that many martyrs anyway? 
. We need transparency and accountability here.
, but we also need concrete action from world leaders to address the root causes of this unrest 
. Maybe it's time for some real negotiations between Iran and its neighbors – or even just a simple conversation between President Trump and Iranian authorities 
...