Iran protests escalate with reports of deadly crackdown, pressure mounts on Tehran

Tehran/Washington: The Iranian government has begun brutally cracking down on protesters. Reports indicate 78 deaths so far, while eyewitnesses say the death toll is much higher. CNN quoted an eyewitness as saying that "piles of bodies" were seen in a hospital in the capital, Tehran. CNN quoted a 60-year-old woman and a 70-year-old eyewitness as saying they saw protesters of all ages in the Iranian capital on Thursday and Friday. Furthermore, they reported that security forces brandishing military rifles killed "several people" on Friday night.

Protests began in Iran on December 28th and have now spread to more than 100 cities. With demonstrations reaching dangerous levels across the country, with thousands of people on the streets, the government is finding it difficult to suppress the protesters' voices. Meanwhile, The New York Post, citing the Wall Street Journal, reported that the Trump administration is working on preliminary plans for an attack on Iran. This includes the option of large-scale airstrikes against multiple locations in Iran. The Trump administration is also considering which locations in Iran to attack.

The US may attack Iran

The report states that a large-scale airstrike campaign against several Iranian military bases is one option being considered. However, Washington has not yet agreed on an action plan. Insiders said that no military equipment or personnel have been deployed for the potential attack. The report also stated that "the talks do not suggest a US attack; sources said the planning is routine." However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Saturday that the US supports the Iranian people. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump reiterated his threat on Friday to attack Iran if Iranian security forces killed protesters. Furthermore, in a recent statement, Trump stated that he is ready to assist in the protests in Iran to oust the Khamenei government.

In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump hinted that "if Tehran continues to kill protesters, the US is preparing to retaliate." He wrote on Saturday that "Iran is looking forward to freedom and perhaps a demonstration of this magnitude has never been seen before." He further stated that "the US is ready to help!!!" The US previously attacked Iran in June last year, dropping six bunker-buster bombs on three underground nuclear sites. Iran has now begun to acknowledge that its nuclear sites have been severely affected by the US attack.

On Friday night, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation in a televised speech. Violence against protesters has erupted since then. One protester told CNN, "Sadly, we may have to accept the truth: this government will not surrender and give up power without external force." Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni acknowledged "some shortcomings," but on Saturday, he said on state television that a "better economic future" is ahead for Iranians. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated on Saturday that at least 78 protesters have been killed in the past 14 days of protests.