Iran to execute anti-Khamenei protester today, Trump issues stern warning
PTC News Desk: As unrest in Iran continues to grow and at least 2,403 people have been reported dead in the last two weeks, US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the US will take “very strong action” if protesters are executed. Iran responded angrily, with its national security chief accusing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for the deaths of Iranian people.
In an interview with CBS News, Trump did not give details but said the US would react strongly if Iran started hanging protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” he said.
Soon after Trump called on Iranians to “take over” government buildings, Ali Larijani, former parliament speaker and now secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, posted a message on X blaming the US and Israel for encouraging the unrest. The protests have turned deadly as Iranian authorities crack down on citizens protesting against economic problems and political repression.
Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, also accused Trump of trying to destabilise Iran and inciting violence. In a letter to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, he said the US and Israel were responsible for the deaths of civilians, especially young people.
Russia, which is an ally of Iran, also criticised the US, calling the interference in Iran’s internal matters “subversive” and saying American threats of military strikes were “completely unacceptable.” Russia warned that any attempt to use the unrest as an excuse for new attacks on Iran would have dangerous consequences for the Middle East and global security.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 2,403 protesters have died since the demonstrations started. The organisation says that 12 of those killed were under 18, and more than 18,137 people have been arrested across the country.
- With inputs from agencies
