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At least 646 people have been killed during widespread anti-government protests in Iran over the past 16 days, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The group reports more than 10,700 arrests across 606 locations in all 31 provinces. The Iranian government has not released official casualty figures.
Conflicting Accounts of Violence
HRANA says most of the dead are protesters, including children, while Iranian state-aligned media claims more than 100 security personnel have also been killed. The protests, which began in late December over economic grievances, have increasingly taken on an anti-government tone.
Trump Weighs Response
President Donald Trump is considering possible military and economic actions against Iran as his national security team prepares to meet Tuesday. The White House has said all options remain on the table, though diplomacy is preferred.
New Tariff Announcement
On Monday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, warning Tehran against using force to suppress protests. China criticized the move, saying tariff wars have no winners and reaffirming its support for Iran’s stability.
International Concern Grows
The U.S. State Department urged Americans to leave Iran amid internet shutdowns and escalating violence. The United Nations’ human rights chief said he was alarmed by the killings and mass arrests, calling on Iranian authorities to halt repression and restore internet access.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.