The death toll from violent protests in Iran has risen to 35 as of Tuesday, with large-scale demonstrations continuing across the country against an ailing economy, despite assurances by President Massoud Pezeshkian to stabilise inflation.
Pezeshkian, who is said to be a moderate and reformist leader, urged security forces, police, and paramilitary forces to be “kind in their approach towards the demonstrators”. However, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday said “rioters must be put in their place”.
While an official number on the deaths resulting from violent clashes between protesters and the police is missing, international human rights groups and regional sources claim the number may be much higher in the wake of days of confrontations between the people and the authorities.
As many as 1,200 people have also been detained by the Iranian government since last week, including 100 prominent leaders in Tehran, confirmed officials on Monday.
Also Read: 17 killed, 582 held in Iran protests
Government-owned media outlets said on Tuesday that more than 250 police officers and 45 members of the Revolutionary Guard’s volunteer Basij force have been injured in the demonstrations.
US President Donald Trump had warned Iran on Friday that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue”.
While it remains unclear whether Trump would also intervene in Iran’s internal matter, as he did in Venezuela, the prospects remain strong, especially since Israel is bound to support the US against Iran.
The current protests in the country are unlike those in 2022, which were largely limited to Tehran.
Tightening US sanctions and the 12-day war with Israel seem to have affected Iran’s economy, with its currency rial almost collapsing in December, reaching around 1 million against one US dollar.
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