Iran

symbolic countermeasure, <\/a>by designating all EU militaries as terrorist organisations.<\/p>\n<h2>Trump: 'Hopefully we'll make a deal'<\/h2>\n<p>Iran's security forces, the IRGC in particular, have used extreme brutality against demonstrators in recent weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Human rights organisations have been gathering evidence showing that at least 6,000 Iranians have been killed, while insiders in Iran and several EU foreign ministers recently spoke of more than 30,000 feared dead.<\/p>\n<p>In response, Washington threatened to intervene with military action over the killing of peaceful demonstrators and mass executions.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, the Pentagon moved the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers to the region, although it remains unclear whether President Donald Trump will decide to use force. <\/p>\n<p>Tehran has dismissed fears of an intervention over the weekend, saying it is currently involved in negotiations with Washington.<\/p>\n<p>However, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US any conflict would spill over into the entire region.<\/p>\n<p>\"America should know that if it starts a war, this time it will be a regional war,\" Khamenei said.<\/p>\n<p>\"These threats are nothing new. In the past as well, American officials repeatedly talked about war and said that all options were on the table including war,\" he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//02//01//after-eu-decision-iran-says-it-now-considers-all-eu-militaries-as-terrorist-groups/">After EU decision: Iran says it now considers all EU militaries as terrorist groups<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//02//01//qatar-leads-regional-diplomatic-push-to-de-escalate-iran-tensions/">Qatar leads regional diplomatic push to de-escalate Iran tensions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The US president has since dismissed Khamenei's sabre-rattling, stating that a deal is still on the table.<\/p>\n<p>\"We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, a couple of days,\" Trump told reporters on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>\"Hopefully, we'll make a deal. If we don't make a deal, we'll find out whether or not he was right.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1770019465,"updatedAt":1770071645,"publishedAt":1770026875,"firstPublishedAt":1770026875,"lastPublishedAt":1770071644,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":" Iranian lawmakers attend a session of parliament as they wear the Revolutionary Guard's uniform, in Tehran, 1 February 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":" Iranian lawmakers attend a session of parliament as they wear the Revolutionary Guard's uniform, in Tehran, 1 February 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/50\/34\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9025bdf9-1f12-536b-adb8-8bde6fa64d51-9635034.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"protests-in-iran","titleRaw":"Protests in Iran","id":9321,"title":"Protests in Iran","slug":"protests-in-iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran-devrim-muhaf-zlar-","titleRaw":"\u0130ranian Revolutionary Guards ","id":17100,"title":"\u0130ranian Revolutionary Guards ","slug":"iran-devrim-muhaf-zlar-"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-states","titleRaw":"United States ","id":13363,"title":"United States ","slug":"united-states"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-union","titleRaw":"European Union","id":105,"title":"European Union","slug":"european-union"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2866844},{"id":2866168}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9z2ia0"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":13167598,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/52\/29\/09\/ED_PYR_3552299_20260202152549.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":18652557,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/52\/29\/09\/SHD_PYR_3552299_20260202152549.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":56796278,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/52\/29\/09\/FHD_PYR_3552299_20260202152549.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/02\/02\/iran-summons-eu-ambassadors-to-protest-designation-of-irgc-as-terror-group","lastModified":1770071644},{"id":2866843,"cid":9634349,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN UPDATE SUNDAY","daletPyramidId":4072070,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran on edge: Explosions, diplomacy and Trump\u2019s next move","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran on edge: Explosions, diplomacy and Trump\u2019s next move","titleListing2":"Iran on Edge: Explosions, Diplomacy, and Trump\u2019s Next Move","leadin":"Despite multiple suspicious explosions in Iran, no major military strike occurred early Sunday. Amid ongoing diplomacy and rumors, such as possible uranium transfers to Turkey, and a massive US naval presence, the only thing clear is, that it remains uncertain what action Trump will actually take.","summary":"Despite multiple suspicious explosions in Iran, no major military strike occurred early Sunday. Amid ongoing diplomacy and rumors, such as possible uranium transfers to Turkey, and a massive US naval presence, the only thing clear is, that it remains uncertain what action Trump will actually take.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-on-edge-explosions-diplomacy-and-trumps-next-move","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/02\/01\/iran-on-edge-explosions-diplomacy-and-trumps-next-move","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"At a moment when all eyes were on a possible US strike against Iran, nothing major ultimately happened. Still, several explosions were reported in different Iranian cities.\n\nThe most significant occurred in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, where reports suggested that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or army-related facility may have been targeted.\n\nIranian officials quickly denied this, but it is worth recalling that just weeks before the 12\u2011day conflict last June, a major blast in Bandar Abbas was also officially classified as an \u201caccident.\u201d\n\nNow, with a large US naval armada present in the Persian Gulf and expectations of a Trump-ordered strike higher than ever, renewed diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries appear to have once again delayed a final decision by the U.S. president.\n\nQatar\u2019s foreign minister was in Iran yesterday, meeting Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran\u2019s Supreme National Security Council, who signalled positive developments in negotiations with Washington.\n\nAt the same time, a widespread rumour suggests that Tehran has agreed to transfer its enriched uranium to Turkey as part of mediation efforts led by President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan.\n\nOn the other side, Israel has denied any involvement in the Bandar Abbas explosion. The Israeli army chief has stated that Israel assesses a potential U.S. attack on Iran could take place within a timeframe of two weeks to two months.\n\nThe key question now is what US President Donald Trump is ultimately seeking\u2014and whether Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still holds the final word in Iran\u2019s decision-making.\n\nSeveral assessments suggest that Iran\u2019s leadership is divided: Khamenei reportedly rejects compromises with the United States, while other senior officials favour a more flexible negotiating approach.\n\nAt the same time, it remains unclear how seriously the threats issued by the IRGC and Iranian leaders should be taken. Just this morning, Iranian MPs in parliament, all wearing IRGC uniforms, were seen chanting \u201cDeath to the US.\u201d\n\nMeanwhile, the speaker warned that the armies of EU member states could be treated as terrorist organisations.\n\nKhamenei himself also warned Washington, saying that if the Americans start a war, it will escalate into a regional conflict. While insisting Iran does not seek confrontation, he added that any attacker would face a \u201cpowerful blow\u201d from the Iranian people.\n\nIn this context, the role of Iran\u2019s neighbouring countries is crucial. They appear divided over how to respond to a possible strike. According to US media reports, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are not aligned, while Turkey\u2019s Erdo\u011fan continues to position himself as an experienced mediator between Tehran and Washington.\n\nWhat unfolds in the coming days and weeks will answer many open questions. One thing, however, is already clear: the US Navy has not deployed to the region without purpose.\n\nGiven the enormous cost of a full-scale military intervention, particularly its impact on global oil prices, some analysts believe that Trump may, at least for now, focus more on implementing this maximum pressure scenario, while other options\u2014such as a comprehensive strike or targeting Iran\u2019s leadership\u2014remain on the table.\n\nWith a powerful naval presence in the region, Washington could effectively control the Strait of Hormuz, seize tankers and ships travelling to and from Iran transporting oil or other cargo, and push the country toward internal collapse.\n\nFrom this perspective, surrounding Iran may be seen as a low-cost strategy for Trump\u2014one that could also intersect with renewed domestic protests inside the country, potentially sooner than many expect.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>At a moment when all eyes were on a possible US strike against Iran, nothing major ultimately happened. Still, several explosions were reported in different Iranian cities. <\/p>\n<p>The most significant occurred in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, where reports suggested that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or army-related facility may have been targeted. <\/p>\n<p>Iranian officials quickly denied this, but it is worth recalling that just weeks before the 12\u2011day conflict last June, a major blast in Bandar Abbas was also officially classified as an \u201caccident.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Now, with a large US naval armada present in the Persian Gulf and expectations of a Trump-ordered strike higher than ever, renewed diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries appear to have once again delayed a final decision by the U.S. president.<\/p>\n<p>Qatar\u2019s foreign minister was in Iran yesterday, meeting Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran\u2019s Supreme National Security Council, who signalled positive developments in negotiations with Washington. <\/p>\n<p>At the same time, a widespread rumour suggests that Tehran has agreed to transfer its enriched uranium to Turkey as part of mediation efforts led by President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan.<\/p>\n<p>On the other side, Israel has denied any involvement in the Bandar Abbas explosion. The Israeli army chief has stated that Israel assesses a potential U.S. attack on Iran could take place within a timeframe of two weeks to two months.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//02//01//after-eu-decision-iran-says-it-now-considers-all-eu-militaries-as-terrorist-groups/">After EU decision: Iran says it now considers all EU militaries as terrorist groups<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//31//explosions-reported-in-iran/">Explosions reported in Iran, Israel denies involvement<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The key question now is what US President Donald Trump is ultimately seeking\u2014and whether Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still holds the final word in Iran\u2019s decision-making. <\/p>\n<p>Several assessments suggest that Iran\u2019s leadership is divided: Khamenei reportedly rejects compromises with the United States, while other senior officials favour a more flexible negotiating approach.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, it remains unclear how seriously the threats issued by the IRGC and Iranian leaders should be taken. Just this morning, Iranian MPs in parliament, all wearing IRGC uniforms, were seen chanting \u201cDeath to the US.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the speaker warned that the armies of EU member states could be treated as terrorist organisations. <\/p>\n<p>Khamenei himself also warned Washington, saying that if the Americans start a war, it will escalate into a regional conflict. While insisting Iran does not seek confrontation, he added that any attacker would face a \u201cpowerful blow\u201d from the Iranian people.<\/p>\n<p>In this context, the role of Iran\u2019s neighbouring countries is crucial. They appear divided over how to respond to a possible strike. According to US media reports, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are not aligned, while Turkey\u2019s Erdo\u011fan continues to position himself as an experienced mediator between Tehran and Washington.<\/p>\n<p>What unfolds in the coming days and weeks will answer many open questions. One thing, however, is already clear: the US Navy has not deployed to the region without purpose. <\/p>\n<p>Given the enormous cost of a full-scale military intervention, particularly its impact on global oil prices, some analysts believe that Trump may, at least for now, focus more on implementing this maximum pressure scenario, while other options\u2014such as a comprehensive strike or targeting Iran\u2019s leadership\u2014remain on the table.<\/p>\n<p>With a powerful naval presence in the region, Washington could effectively control the Strait of Hormuz, seize tankers and ships travelling to and from Iran transporting oil or other cargo, and push the country toward internal collapse. <\/p>\n<p>From this perspective, surrounding Iran may be seen as a low-cost strategy for Trump\u2014one that could also intersect with renewed domestic protests inside the country, potentially sooner than many expect.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769942118,"updatedAt":1770027128,"publishedAt":1769944567,"firstPublishedAt":1769944567,"lastPublishedAt":1770027127,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Protesters burn pictures of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they march in support of regime change in Iran during a protest in Toronto, 1 February 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Protesters burn pictures of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they march in support of regime change in Iran during a protest in Toronto, 1 February 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/43\/49\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b0f80bc8-8484-58bb-afc1-3d6ff9f1ed56-9634349.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"kamiar","twitter":null,"id":1044,"title":"Babak Kamiar"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran-army","titleRaw":"Iran Army","id":12180,"title":"Iran Army","slug":"iran-army"},{"urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump","id":11900,"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump"},{"urlSafeValue":"us-iran-crisis","titleRaw":"US-Iran crisis","id":22392,"title":"US-Iran crisis","slug":"us-iran-crisis"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/02\/01\/iran-on-edge-explosions-diplomacy-and-trumps-next-move","lastModified":1770027127},{"id":2866720,"cid":9633942,"versionId":7,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN EXPLOSIONS","daletPyramidId":4068189,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Explosions reported in Iran, Israel denies involvement","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Explosions reported in Iran, Israel denies involvement","titleListing2":"Explosions reported in Iran, Israel denies involvement","leadin":"A powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas earlier today. Reports are coming in of more explosions.","summary":"A powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas earlier today. Reports are coming in of more explosions.","keySentence":"","url":"explosions-reported-in-iran","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/31\/explosions-reported-in-iran","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas earlier today. The blast occurred in an eight-story building, with parts of the lower floors severely damaged and windows throughout the building shattered.\n\nHormozgan\u2019s Crisis Management Organisation, noting that investigations into the cause of the Bandar Abbas incident are ongoing, said that following the explosion in a residential complex, 14 people were injured and, tragically, a 4-year-old girl lost her life.\n\nSome unofficial sources have claimed that Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, was the target of the incident. Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has denied these rumours as \"completely false\".\n\nMeanwhile, Israel denied any involvement, according to the Jerusalem Post.\n\nSome domestic sources have attributed the incident to a gas leak, while local reports state that the building was not equipped with gas piping.\n\nWhile official sources have described the site of the incident as a residential building, videos filmed by passersby minutes after the incident show barbed wire, typically used at military facilities, installed on the compound\u2019s courtyard walls. Meanwhile, the IRGC Navy\u2019s public relations office said that no drone attack has occurred on its bases in Hormozgan and that no buildings affiliated with the force have been damaged.\n\nSimilar blasts in other cities\n\nOther reports indicate that sounds of explosions were heard in other Iranian cities, including Ahvaz near the Iran\u2013Iraq border.\n\nThe Khuzestan Province\u2019s Deputy for Security and Law Enforcement reported\u00a0five people killed and two others injured following what he called \"a domestic gas explosion\" in Ahvaz.\n\nThe local governor of Robat Karim county in Tehran province denied reports of a security or military incident in the cities of Parand and Robat Karim, saying that the smoke observed was caused by a fire in dry reed beds along the banks of the Shour River.\n\nOver the past hour, videos showing a large plume of smoke near a residential area have circulated, which are said to be related to the city of Parand on Saturday.\n\nAnother video circulating widely on social media is being attributed to an incident in Qom. The footage shows smoke rising along the Amir Kabir Highway on the Kashan road, near a military-related facility (the military service organisation).\n\nHead of Qom Fire Department says \"the smoke seen across the city is caused by a waste fire near the reed beds.\"\n\nHowever, social network users, pointing to similar incidents during the twelve-day war with Israel, have sarcastically written that it appears there was a \u201cgas leak\u201d in Qom today as well, with a gas pipe supposedly exploding.\n\nMeanwhile, East Azerbaijan province Crisis Management Authority, responding to rumours circulating on social media, said that no explosion occurred in Tabriz today.\n\nNaval exercise reportedly postponed\n\nThis comes as the IRGC announced plans to hold a naval drill in the Persian Gulf later this week, a move that prompted a response from US Central Command (CENTCOM), which urged the IRGC to avoid provocative behaviour at sea.\n\nHowever, Al Mayadeen TV, a network close to Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran, reported on Saturday afternoon that the planned joint military exercise involving Iran, China, and Russia in the Strait of Hormuz has been called off, and that China and Russia will not be deploying any naval forces to the region, at least not until mid-February.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas earlier today. The blast occurred in an eight-story building, with parts of the lower floors severely damaged and windows throughout the building shattered.<\/p>\n<p>Hormozgan\u2019s Crisis Management Organisation, noting that investigations into the cause of the Bandar Abbas incident are ongoing, said that following the explosion in a residential complex, 14 people were injured and, tragically, a 4-year-old girl lost her life.<\/p>\n<p>Some unofficial sources have claimed that Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, was the target of the incident. Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has denied these rumours as \"completely false\".<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Israel denied any involvement, according to the Jerusalem Post. <\/p>\n<p>Some domestic sources have attributed the incident to a gas leak, while local reports state that the building was not equipped with gas piping.<\/p>\n<p>While official sources have described the site of the incident as a residential building, videos filmed by passersby minutes after the incident show barbed wire, typically used at military facilities, installed on the compound\u2019s courtyard walls. Meanwhile, the IRGC Navy\u2019s public relations office said that no drone attack has occurred on its bases in Hormozgan and that no buildings affiliated with the force have been damaged.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Similar blasts in other cities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Other reports indicate that sounds of explosions were heard in other Iranian cities, including Ahvaz near the Iran\u2013Iraq border. <\/p>\n<p>The Khuzestan Province\u2019s Deputy for Security and Law Enforcement reported five people killed and two others injured following what he called \"a domestic gas explosion\" in Ahvaz.<\/p>\n<p>The local governor of Robat Karim county in Tehran province denied reports of a security or military incident in the cities of Parand and Robat Karim, saying that the smoke observed was caused by a fire in dry reed beds along the banks of the Shour River.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past hour, videos showing a large plume of smoke near a residential area have circulated, which are said to be related to the city of Parand on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Another video circulating widely on social media is being attributed to an incident in Qom. The footage shows smoke rising along the Amir Kabir Highway on the Kashan road, near a military-related facility (the military service organisation).<\/p>\n<p>Head of Qom Fire Department says \"the smoke seen across the city is caused by a waste fire near the reed beds.\"<\/p>\n<p>However, social network users, pointing to similar incidents during the twelve-day war with Israel, have sarcastically written that it appears there was a \u201cgas leak\u201d in Qom today as well, with a gas pipe supposedly exploding.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, East Azerbaijan province Crisis Management Authority, responding to rumours circulating on social media, said that no explosion occurred in Tabriz today.<\/p>\n<h2>Naval exercise reportedly postponed<\/h2>\n<p>This comes as the IRGC announced plans to hold a naval drill in the Persian Gulf later this week, a move that prompted a response from US Central Command (CENTCOM), which urged the IRGC to avoid provocative behaviour at sea.<\/p>\n<p>However, Al Mayadeen TV, a network close to Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran, reported on Saturday afternoon that the planned joint military exercise involving Iran, China, and Russia in the Strait of Hormuz has been called off, and that China and Russia will not be deploying any naval forces to the region, at least not until mid-February.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769865286,"updatedAt":1769874742,"publishedAt":1769866178,"firstPublishedAt":1769866178,"lastPublishedAt":1769874742,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","altText":"ARCHIVE: Two traditional dhows sail by a large container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, May 19, 2023. ","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"ARCHIVE: Two traditional dhows sail by a large container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, May 19, 2023. ","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/39\/42\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5958dfda-f3eb-5a58-b791-6fbb83501feb-9633942.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"kamiar","twitter":null,"id":1044,"title":"Babak Kamiar"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026","id":30620,"title":"Iran protests 2026","slug":"iran-protests-2026"},{"urlSafeValue":"explosion","titleRaw":"Explosion","id":10231,"title":"Explosion","slug":"explosion"},{"urlSafeValue":"strait-of-hormuz","titleRaw":"Strait of Hormuz","id":15942,"title":"Strait of Hormuz","slug":"strait-of-hormuz"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2866061},{"id":2865855},{"id":2865921}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"dGgHoo1Dh7M","dailymotionId":"x9yxxdm"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":68280,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12675216,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/39\/44\/07\/ED_PYR_3539447_20260131150958.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":68280,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":17790361,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/39\/44\/07\/SHD_PYR_3539447_20260131150958.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":68280,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":54697106,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/39\/44\/07\/FHD_PYR_3539447_20260131150958.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/31\/explosions-reported-in-iran","lastModified":1769874742},{"id":2866074,"cid":9630744,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN TRUMP + ANALYSIS","daletPyramidId":4039924,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Oil prices climb as Trump warns Iran 'time is running out' for nuclear deal","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Oil climbs as Trump warns Iran 'time is running out' for nuclear deal","titleListing2":"","leadin":"Markets priced in fresh geopolitical risk as Washington escalated rhetoric against Tehran, with analysts warning supply disruptions could push prices higher.","summary":"Markets priced in fresh geopolitical risk as Washington escalated rhetoric against Tehran, with analysts warning supply disruptions could push prices higher.","keySentence":"","url":"oil-prices-climb-as-trump-warns-iran-time-is-running-out-for-nuclear-deal","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2026\/01\/29\/oil-prices-climb-as-trump-warns-iran-time-is-running-out-for-nuclear-deal","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Oil prices rose on Thursday after US President Donald Trump warned Iran that \u201ctime is running out\u201d and said a \u201cmassive armada\u201d was heading towards the region if Tehran failed to agree to a nuclear non-proliferation deal.\n\nIn a Truth Social post, Trump said a fleet larger than the one sent to Venezuela was ready to \u201crapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary\u201d if Iran refused to negotiate a deal guaranteeing \u201cno nuclear weapons\u201d.\n\nGlobal benchmark Brent rose by about 2.02%, trading at around $68.73 per barrel, while US crude (WTI) hovered around 2.15% higher, at $64.57 per barrel.\n\nTrump previously threatened to attack Iran if it killed protesters during the ongoing protest movement across the country. Estimates of those killed range from around 6,000 to as many as 30,000, according to various reports.\n\nOil delivery disruptions\n\nIf the US were to escalate militarily, it could disrupt oil flows to countries that still trade with Iran.\n\nIran\u2019s economy is already under heavy pressure from US secondary financial sanctions on its banking and energy sectors, compounded by the reimposition of JCPOA snapback sanctions.\n\nThese measures have severely limited Iran\u2019s access to the Western financial system and constrained its ability to trade openly.\n\nAs a result, Iranian exports rely heavily on so-called \u201cdark fleets,\u201d ship-to-ship transfers and intermediary routes designed to obscure cargo origins along major maritime corridors.\n\nYet despite years of sanctions, Iran has retained access to oil markets, underlining the difficulty of fully enforcing restrictions on a high-value global commodity.\n\n\u201cIran has a number of markets for its oil, despite the Western sanctions regime,\u201d said Dmitry Grozubinski, a senior advisor on international trade policy at Aurora Macro Strategies.\n\nChina at centre of enforcement risk\n\nChina remains the largest buyer, with reports suggesting Iranian crude is often rebranded as Malaysian or Gulf-origin oil before entering the country.\n\n\u201cIndependent refineries are purchasing it using dark fleet vessels, with transactions conducted through small private banks and in renminbi,\u201d Grozubinski said.\n\nOther destinations for Iranian oil and derivatives include Iraq, the UAE and Turkey, further complicating enforcement.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s extremely difficult to maintain comprehensive sanctions on oil,\u201d Grozubinski said, \u201cespecially when it requires policing transactions between Iran and states that don\u2019t fully share Western priorities.\u201d\n\nChina currently imports an estimated 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels of Iranian oil per day \u2014 around 80 to 90% of Iran\u2019s crude exports.\n\nUS escalation could provoke Beijing\n\nThat dependence makes Beijing the central variable in any escalation. Analysts say China would be the most likely major economy to resist compliance and retaliate.\n\n\u201cBeijing has already signalled it would respond if Trump follows through,\u201d said Dan Alamariu, chief geopolitical strategist at Alpine Macro, warning of renewed US\u2013China trade friction.\n\nOne risk raised by analysts is the potential for China to again restrict exports of rare earths \u2014 a tool it has previously used during periods of trade tension \u2014 although such a move is considered unlikely in the short term.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not the base case,\u201d Alamariu said, \u201cbut it\u2019s not impossible.\u201d\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Oil prices rose on Thursday after US President Donald Trump warned Iran that \u201ctime is running out\u201d and said a \u201cmassive armada\u201d was heading towards the region if Tehran failed to agree to a nuclear non-proliferation deal.<\/p>\n<p>In a Truth Social post, Trump said a fleet larger than the one sent to Venezuela was ready to \u201crapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary\u201d if Iran refused to negotiate a deal guaranteeing \u201cno nuclear weapons\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Global benchmark Brent rose by about 2.02%, trading at around $68.73 per barrel, while US crude (WTI) hovered around 2.15% higher, at $64.57 per barrel.<\/p>\n<p>Trump previously threatened to attack Iran if it killed protesters during the ongoing protest movement across the country. Estimates of those killed range from around 6,000 to as many as 30,000, according to various reports.<\/p>\n<h2>Oil delivery disruptions<\/h2>\n<p>If the US were to escalate militarily, it could disrupt oil flows to countries that still trade with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s economy is already under heavy pressure from US secondary financial sanctions on its banking and energy sectors, compounded by the reimposition of JCPOA snapback sanctions. <\/p>\n<p>These measures have severely limited Iran\u2019s access to the Western financial system and constrained its ability to trade openly.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Iranian exports rely heavily on so-called \u201cdark fleets,\u201d ship-to-ship transfers and intermediary routes designed to obscure cargo origins along major maritime corridors.<\/p>\n<p>Yet despite years of sanctions, Iran has retained access to oil markets, underlining the difficulty of fully enforcing restrictions on a high-value global commodity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIran has a number of markets for its oil, despite the Western sanctions regime,\u201d said Dmitry Grozubinski, a senior advisor on international trade policy at Aurora Macro Strategies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//27//iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim/">Iran protests death toll could surpass 30,000, reports claim<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2026//01//28//france-and-spain-signal-support-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-as-terrorist-group/">France and Spain signal support to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>China at centre of enforcement risk<\/h2>\n<p>China remains the largest buyer, with reports suggesting Iranian crude is often rebranded as Malaysian or Gulf-origin oil before entering the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIndependent refineries are purchasing it using dark fleet vessels, with transactions conducted through small private banks and in renminbi,\u201d Grozubinski said.<\/p>\n<p>Other destinations for Iranian oil and derivatives include Iraq, the UAE and Turkey, further complicating enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s extremely difficult to maintain comprehensive sanctions on oil,\u201d Grozubinski said, \u201cespecially when it requires policing transactions between Iran and states that don\u2019t fully share Western priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>China currently imports an estimated 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels of Iranian oil per day \u2014 around 80 to 90% of Iran\u2019s crude exports.<\/p>\n<h2>US escalation could provoke Beijing<\/h2>\n<p>That dependence makes Beijing the central variable in any escalation. Analysts say China would be the most likely major economy to resist compliance and retaliate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBeijing has already signalled it would respond if Trump follows through,\u201d said Dan Alamariu, chief geopolitical strategist at Alpine Macro, warning of renewed US\u2013China trade friction.<\/p>\n<p>One risk raised by analysts is the potential for China to again restrict exports of rare earths \u2014 a tool it has previously used during periods of trade tension \u2014 although such a move is considered unlikely in the short term.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not the base case,\u201d Alamariu said, \u201cbut it\u2019s not impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769676873,"updatedAt":1769686689,"publishedAt":1769686684,"firstPublishedAt":1769686684,"lastPublishedAt":1769686684,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/07\/44\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9b2b27bc-31fa-523d-a1b3-5d3a1664e313-9630744.jpg","altText":"FILE. Iranian oil technician Majid Afshari makes his way at the oil separator facilities in Azadegan oil field, near Ahvaz, Iran. 15 April 2008","caption":"FILE. Iranian oil technician Majid Afshari makes his way at the oil separator facilities in Azadegan oil field, near Ahvaz, Iran. 15 April 2008","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vahid Salemi\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":672}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3408,"urlSafeValue":"hajdari","title":"Una Hajdari","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":30620,"slug":"iran-protests-2026","urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","title":"Iran protests 2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026"},{"id":27610,"slug":"crude-oil","urlSafeValue":"crude-oil","title":"crude oil","titleRaw":"crude oil"},{"id":14574,"slug":"oil-prices","urlSafeValue":"oil-prices","title":"Oil prices","titleRaw":"Oil prices"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2865512},{"id":2865215},{"id":2865269}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"markets","urlSafeValue":"markets","title":"Markets","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/markets\/markets"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"business","verticals":[{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"id":"markets","urlSafeValue":"markets","title":"Markets","url":"\/business\/markets"},{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/business\/economy"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":74,"urlSafeValue":"markets","title":"Markets"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/business\/2026\/01\/29\/oil-prices-climb-as-trump-warns-iran-time-is-running-out-for-nuclear-deal","lastModified":1769686684},{"id":2865855,"cid":9629639,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"US IRAN ARMADA","daletPyramidId":4029953,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Trump announces 'massive' US armada heading towards Iran, warning Tehran to negotiate","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Trump says 'massive armada' headed to Iran as carrier group approaches","titleListing2":"Trump announces 'massive' US armada heading towards Iran, warning Tehran to negotiate","leadin":"The wave of protests in Iran, which broke out on 28 December over the collapse of the rial currency and the rising cost of living, saw between 6,000 and as many as 30,000 people feared killed by the Tehran regime.","summary":"The wave of protests in Iran, which broke out on 28 December over the collapse of the rial currency and the rising cost of living, saw between 6,000 and as many as 30,000 people feared killed by the Tehran regime.","keySentence":"","url":"trump-announces-massive-us-armada-heading-towards-iran-warning-tehran-to-negotiate","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/28\/trump-announces-massive-us-armada-heading-towards-iran-warning-tehran-to-negotiate","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"US President Donald Trump said \"a massive armada\" is heading towards Iran, warning Tehran it should negotiate amid threats of a\u00a0possible US military strike on the country.\n\n\"It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm and purpose,\" Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform without giving further details of its mission.\n\n\"Hopefully Iran will quickly 'come to the table' and negotiate a fair and equitable deal \u2013 no nuclear weapons \u2013 one that is good for all parties,\" he added.\n\nWashington has moved\u00a0the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers\u00a0into the region, which can be used to launch attacks from the sea.\n\nIt remains unclear what Trump will\u00a0decide about using force,\u00a0though he laid down two red lines \u2014 the killing of peaceful demonstrators and the possible mass execution of detainees.\n\nMeanwhile, Iran's mission to the United Nations said it is ready to retaliate against a potential US attack.\n\n\"Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests \u2013 but if pushed, it will defend itself and respond like never before,\" the mission wrote in a post on X.\n\nThe wave of protests in Iran, which broke out on 28 December over the collapse of the rial currency and the rising cost of living, saw between 6,000 and as many as 30,000 killed as authorities launched a bloody crackdown on demonstrations, according to non-profits and other sources inside Iran.\n\nOn Wednesday, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 6,221 were killed including 5,858 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 100 children and 49 civilians who were not demonstrating. More than 42,300 have been arrested, it added.\n\nThe death toll remains impossible to verify, and Iran's state-run media remains the sole source of news for many, as Tehran cut off access to the internet three weeks ago.\n\nIran's government put the death toll at a far lower 3,117, saying 2,427 were civilians and security forces, and labelled the rest \"terrorists\".\n\nIn the past, Iranian authorities have undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest. While the protests have been halted for weeks after the crackdown, information slowly trickling out of Iran via Starlink satellite dishes is reaching activists and media trying to tally the casualties.\n\nThe death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.\n\nIranians have become angry and anxious in the weeks since, seeing footage of protesters shot and killed while worrying about what may happen next as the country's economy sinks further.\n\n\"I feel that my generation failed to give a better lesson to younger ones,\" said Mohammad Heidari, a 59-year-old high school teacher in Tehran.\n\n\"The result of decades of teaching by my colleagues and me led to death of thousands, and maybe more injured and prisoners.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>US President Donald Trump said \"a massive armada\" is heading towards Iran, warning Tehran it should negotiate amid threats of a possible US military strike on the country.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm and purpose,\" Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform without giving further details of its mission.<\/p>\n<p>\"Hopefully Iran will quickly 'come to the table' and negotiate a fair and equitable deal \u2013 no nuclear weapons \u2013 one that is good for all parties,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>Washington has moved the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers into the region, which can be used to launch attacks from the sea.<\/p>\n<p>It remains unclear what Trump will decide about using force, though he laid down two red lines \u2014 the killing of peaceful demonstrators and the possible mass execution of detainees.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Iran's mission to the United Nations said it is ready to retaliate against a potential US attack.<\/p>\n<p>\"Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests \u2013 but if pushed, it will defend itself and respond like never before,\" the mission wrote in a post on X.<\/p>\n<p>The wave of protests in Iran, which broke out on 28 December over the collapse of the rial currency and the rising cost of living, saw between 6,000 and as many as 30,000 killed as authorities launched a bloody crackdown on demonstrations, according to non-profits and other sources inside Iran.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 6,221 were killed including 5,858 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 100 children and 49 civilians who were not demonstrating. More than 42,300 have been arrested, it added.<\/p>\n<p>The death toll remains impossible to verify, and Iran's state-run media remains the sole source of news for many, as Tehran cut off access to the internet three weeks ago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//96//39//808x539_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg/" alt=\"People walk at Tajrish Square in northern Tehran, 27 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/384x256_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/640x427_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/750x500_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/828x552_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/1080x720_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/1200x800_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/1920x1280_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People walk at Tajrish Square in northern Tehran, 27 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Iran's government put the death toll at a far lower 3,117, saying 2,427 were civilians and security forces, and labelled the rest \"terrorists\".<\/p>\n<p>In the past, Iranian authorities have undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest. While the protests have been halted for weeks after the crackdown, information slowly trickling out of Iran via Starlink satellite dishes is reaching activists and media trying to tally the casualties.<\/p>\n<p>The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//27//iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim/">Iran protests death toll could surpass 30,000, reports claim<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//27//analysis-promises-unkept-lives-lost-irans-protests-and-global-responsibility/">Analysis: Promises unkept, lives lost \u2014 Iran's protests and global responsibility<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Iranians have become angry and anxious in the weeks since, seeing footage of protesters shot and killed while worrying about what may happen next as the country's economy sinks further.<\/p>\n<p>\"I feel that my generation failed to give a better lesson to younger ones,\" said Mohammad Heidari, a 59-year-old high school teacher in Tehran.<\/p>\n<p>\"The result of decades of teaching by my colleagues and me led to death of thousands, and maybe more injured and prisoners.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769602967,"updatedAt":1769627330,"publishedAt":1769605611,"firstPublishedAt":1769605611,"lastPublishedAt":1769615960,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"The sun sets over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean, 22 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"caption":"The sun sets over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean, 22 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f53d73dc-cec2-58de-9331-4131f21584e3-9629639.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":911},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"People walk at Tajrish Square in northern Tehran, 27 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"People walk at Tajrish Square in northern Tehran, 27 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_de37ad19-db8b-5544-a9d3-105ce1fffbc2-9629639.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"US President Donald Trump gestures after speaking about the economy at a rally in Clive, 27 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"US President Donald Trump gestures after speaking about the economy at a rally in Clive, 27 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bba10a15-861d-5405-88af-115115f2295b-9629639.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump","altText":"A screenshot from US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account","callToActionText":null,"width":1206,"caption":"A screenshot from US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/96\/39\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fa0da9cc-b10e-5553-846c-e2eeca31c9a3-9629639.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1745}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","twitter":null,"id":2972,"title":"Gavin Blackburn"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026","id":30620,"title":"Iran protests 2026","slug":"iran-protests-2026"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-states","titleRaw":"United States ","id":13363,"title":"United States ","slug":"united-states"},{"urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump","id":11900,"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump"},{"urlSafeValue":"aircraft-carrier","titleRaw":"aircraft carrier","id":17610,"title":"aircraft carrier","slug":"aircraft-carrier"},{"urlSafeValue":"middle-east","titleRaw":"Middle East","id":11950,"title":"Middle East","slug":"middle-east"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2865537},{"id":2865512},{"id":2865806}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"-8WjO8nfrcA","dailymotionId":"x9yq33y"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":84000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":14849158,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/14\/25\/01\/ED_PYR_3514251_20260128190851.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":84000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":21339621,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/14\/25\/01\/SHD_PYR_3514251_20260128190851.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":84000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":66604769,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/14\/25\/01\/FHD_PYR_3514251_20260128190851.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP, AFP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/28\/trump-announces-massive-us-armada-heading-towards-iran-warning-tehran-to-negotiate","lastModified":1769615960},{"id":2865540,"cid":9627780,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NEXT US CARRIER TECH","daletPyramidId":4013445,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"What military hardware is on the USS Abraham Lincoln? The nuclear-powered carrier in the Middle East","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"What defence tech is aboard the US carrier now the Middle East?","titleListing2":"What defence tech is onboard the US carrier deployed to the Middle East?","leadin":"The American Navy describes the USS Abraham Lincoln as \u2018the largest warship in the world,\u2019 which can support over 65 aircraft and 97,000 tons of equipment.","summary":"The American Navy describes the USS Abraham Lincoln as \u2018the largest warship in the world,\u2019 which can support over 65 aircraft and 97,000 tons of equipment.","keySentence":"","url":"what-military-hardware-is-on-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-the-nuclear-powered-carrier-in-the-mi","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2026\/01\/27\/what-military-hardware-is-on-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-the-nuclear-powered-carrier-in-the-mi","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A US aircraft carrier accompanied by three warships has entered the Middle East region as Iran faces ongoing protests that have resulted in thousands of deaths.\n\nThe United States Central Command, which overseesAmerican military operations in the region, said on the social media platform X that the USS Abraham LincolnCarrier Strike Group is \u201ccurrently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability.\u201d\n\nUS President Donald Trump said last week that ships were being sent to the region \u201cjust in case,\u201d following an earlier warning that the US was \u201clocked and loaded\u201d to protect protesters.\u00a0\n\nHere\u2019s what we know about what technology and military hardware could be onboard the US aircraft carrier.\n\n\u2018The largest warship in the world\u2019\n\nThe USS Abraham Lincoln is one of America\u2019s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, which the Navy calls \u201cthe largest warships in the world.\u201d\n\nIt makes up the ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the US, known as the Nimitz-class.\u00a0\n\nNimitz-class carriers are 333 metres long, can move approximately 100,000 tons of equipment, including 65 aircraft and multiple missile mounts, according to the US Navy.\n\nWhat defence tech is onboard?\u00a0\n\nThe carrier supports aircraft that can strike both airborne and shoreline targets, according to the US Navy. Its squadrons include the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet and the F\/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, according to the Associated Press.\n\nThe carrier also engages in maritime security operations that \u201cinterdict threats to merchant shipping and prevent the use of the seas for terrorism and piracy,\u201d the US Navy said.\n\nNimitz-class carriers could also be equipped with several types of missiles, including the NATO Sea Sparrow, an anti-missile and aircraft weapon system. This type of missile could be on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is part of the Nimitz-class group.\u00a0\n\nThe carriers often have two types of anti-ship missiles on board, such as the Phalanx\/CIWS, a \u201crapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun,\u201d and the RAM missile system, a \u201csupersonic, light-weight \u2026 fire-and-forget weapon,\u201d according to manufacturer RTX, formerly Raytheon.\n\nThe USS Abraham Lincoln might have additional weapons on board, according to the military database Command: Modern Operations \/ Modern Air Naval Operations Cmano. This includesthe AN\/SLQ-25A Nixie, a decoy system that emits sounds to trick underwater torpedoes from following a ship.\n\nThe ship is equipped with several types of radar systems that help it detect and track nearby threats, monitor air traffic control, and shoot and guide missiles, according to the publication Naval Technology, which said it also had two SH-60 Seahawk attack helicopters and nine squadrons.\u00a0\n\nThe USS Abraham Lincoln can travel up to 35 knots (65 kilometres per hour), and can hold an has an average crew of 5,600 people, according to Cmano.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A US aircraft carrier accompanied by three warships has entered the Middle East region as Iran faces ongoing protests that have resulted in thousands of deaths.<\/p>\n<p>The United States Central Command, which overseesAmerican military operations in the region, said on the social media<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////x.com//CENTCOM//status//2015815632302801143/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> platform<\/a> X that the USS Abraham LincolnCarrier Strike Group is \u201ccurrently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>US President Donald Trump said<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//23//death-toll-in-irans-protest-crackdown-reaches-5002-as-trump-says-us-armada-approaching/"> <strong>last week<\/strong><\/a> that ships were being sent to the region \u201cjust in case,\u201d following an earlier<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//02//trump-says-us-will-come-to-their-rescue-if-tehran-kills-protesters/"> <strong>warning<\/strong><\/a> that the US was \u201clocked and loaded\u201d to protect protesters. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what we know about what technology and military hardware could be onboard the US aircraft carrier.<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018The largest warship in the world\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>The USS Abraham Lincoln is one of America\u2019s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, which the Navy<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.airpac.navy.mil//Organization//USS-Abraham-Lincoln-CVN-72//About-Us///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> calls<\/a> \u201cthe largest warships in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It makes up the ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the US, known as the Nimitz-class. <\/p>\n<p>Nimitz-class<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.airpac.navy.mil//Organization//Distinguished-Visitor-Info//Important-Links-and-Info///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> carriers<\/a> are 333 metres long, can move approximately 100,000 tons of equipment, including 65 aircraft and multiple missile mounts, according to the US Navy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//27//iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim/">Iran protests death toll could surpass 30,000, reports claim<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>What defence tech is onboard?<\/h2>\n<p>The carrier supports aircraft that can strike both airborne and shoreline targets, according to the US Navy. Its squadrons include the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet and the F\/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, according to the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////apnews.com//article//aircraft-carrier-iran-protests-us-military-58e6da912f9167df94f913d7dafe5af4/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The carrier also engages in maritime security operations that \u201cinterdict threats to merchant shipping and prevent the use of the seas for terrorism and piracy,\u201d the US Navy said.<\/p>\n<p>Nimitz-class carriers could also be equipped with several types of<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.airpac.navy.mil//Organization//Distinguished-Visitor-Info//Important-Links-and-Info///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> missiles<\/a>, including the NATO Sea Sparrow, an anti-missile and aircraft weapon system. This type of missile could be on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is part of the Nimitz-class group. <\/p>\n<p>The carriers often have two types of anti-ship missiles on board, such as the<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.rtx.com//raytheon//what-we-do//sea//phalanx-close-in-weapon-system/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> Phalanx<\/a>\/CIWS, a \u201crapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun,\u201d and the RAM<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.rtx.com//raytheon//what-we-do//sea//ram-missile/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> missile system<\/a>, a \u201csupersonic, light-weight \u2026 fire-and-forget weapon,\u201d according to manufacturer RTX, formerly Raytheon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//iranian-authorities-unveil-new-billboard-in-tehran-warning-us-against-taking-military-acti/">Iranian authorities unveil new billboard in Tehran warning US against taking military action <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The USS Abraham Lincoln might have additional weapons on board, according to<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////cmano-db.com//ship//3553///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> <\/a>the military database Command: Modern Operations \/ Modern Air Naval Operations<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////cmano-db.com//ship//3553///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> Cmano<\/a>. This includesthe AN\/SLQ-25A Nixie, a decoy system that emits sounds to trick underwater torpedoes from following a ship.<\/p>\n<p>The ship is equipped with several types of radar systems that help it detect and track nearby threats, monitor air traffic control, and shoot and guide missiles, according to the publication<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.naval-technology.com//projects//abraham-lincoln-nimitz-class-aircraft-carrier//?\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"> Naval Technology<\/a><strong>,<\/strong> which said it also had two SH-60 Seahawk attack helicopters and nine squadrons. <\/p>\n<p>The USS Abraham Lincoln can travel up to 35 knots (65 kilometres per hour), and can hold an has an average crew of 5,600 people, according to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////cmano-db.com//ship//3553///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">Cmano<\/a>.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769513740,"updatedAt":1769525425,"publishedAt":1769525146,"firstPublishedAt":1769525146,"lastPublishedAt":1769525146,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_53426f52-6081-535a-a8ce-8618dafcc2a6-9627780.jpg","altText":"FILE - The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sits pier side at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., Wednesday April 27, 2016","caption":"FILE - The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sits pier side at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., Wednesday April 27, 2016","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Steve Helber","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1191}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2860,"urlSafeValue":"desmarais","title":"Anna Desmarais","twitter":"anna_desmarais"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":30620,"slug":"iran-protests-2026","urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","title":"Iran protests 2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026"},{"id":20060,"slug":"conflict-between-iran-and-us","urlSafeValue":"conflict-between-iran-and-us","title":"CONFLICT BETWEEN IRAN AND US","titleRaw":"CONFLICT BETWEEN IRAN AND US"},{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2865500},{"id":2865473},{"id":2865317}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/tech-news\/tech-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"next","verticals":[{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},"themes":[{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","url":"\/next\/tech-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":40,"urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/next\/2026\/01\/27\/what-military-hardware-is-on-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-the-nuclear-powered-carrier-in-the-mi","lastModified":1769525146},{"id":2865537,"cid":9627777,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Iran protesters and global responsibility","daletPyramidId":4013431,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Analysis: Promises unkept, lives lost \u2014 Iran's protests and global responsibility","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Analysis: Promises unkept \u2014 Iran's protests and global responsibility","titleListing2":"Analysis: Promises unkept, lives lost \u2014 Iran\u2019s protests and global responsibility","leadin":"Analysts agree Iran's regime decided on mass killings to survive protests driven by economic collapse, with clear orders for lethal force against unarmed demonstrators.","summary":"Analysts agree Iran's regime decided on mass killings to survive protests driven by economic collapse, with clear orders for lethal force against unarmed demonstrators.","keySentence":"","url":"analysis-promises-unkept-lives-lost-irans-protests-and-global-responsibility","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/27\/analysis-promises-unkept-lives-lost-irans-protests-and-global-responsibility","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"When protests erupted across Iran in late December over economic collapse, the regime's response was swift and deadly.\n\nWhat followed was not crowd control but calculated slaughter. International human rights organisations now describe it as one of the largest mass killings of protesters in modern times.\n\nThe question facing Western capitals is no longer whether atrocities occurred, but whether the international community possesses the will to respond with anything beyond rhetoric.\n\n\"There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic has committed one of the largest mass killings of protesters of our time,\" said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, head of the Oslo-based organisation Iran Human Rights, during an online European Parliament meeting.\n\nGrowing evidence suggests the Islamic Republic reached a strategic decision before protests began \u2014 protests that were themselves predictable given Iran's collapsing economic conditions. That decision was stark: survival through mass killing and the deliberate production of fear.\n\nFrom this perspective, blaming opposition figures or foreign leaders \u2014 including President Donald Trump \u2014 for the deaths of unarmed protesters appears overly simplistic.\n\nWhether protests were formally called for or not, security forces operated under clear orders to fire with lethal intent. Video evidence from across Iran shows a consistent, coordinated pattern of repression now under review by international legal bodies. The violence was not spontaneous. It was premeditated.\n\nAccording to credible documentation from international human rights organisations, casualty figures remain contested. Iran Human Rights documented at least 3,428 deaths by 14 January.\n\nBy late January, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 6,126 deaths. Time magazine and Iran International cited hospital records suggesting between 30,000 and 36,500 deaths on 8-9 January alone, though these higher figures remain unverified. Iran's government acknowledged 3,117 deaths by 21 January. However, on 16 January 2026, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, said in a media interview that at least 5,000 people had been killed, noting that according to information she received from medical sources, the death toll might be as high as 20,000.\n\nIran's leadership was acutely aware that a 12-day conflict involving the United States and Israel in mid-2025 had ended inconclusively. From Tehran's perspective, renewed confrontation remained a real possibility. Buying time became a priority.\n\nDecision-makers calculated that if another military escalation occurred, the public would no longer remain passive.\n\nUnlike previous crises, worsening economic conditions meant that a significant segment of society could move from silent endurance to active resistance \u2014 potentially becoming what the regime views as internal \"enemy forces.\"\n\nMany protesters who took to the streets, especially on 8 and 9 January, appear to have been encouraged by repeated public messages from Trump.\n\nHe explicitly urged Iranians to remain in the streets in multiple social media posts, writing \"help is on its way\" and \"Iranian patriots, keep protesting - take over your institutions.\"\n\nOn 2 January, he posted on Truth Social: \"We are locked and loaded and ready to go.\"\n\nMilitary positioning and strategic ambiguity\n\nThe deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group toward the Persian Gulf has intensified speculation about Washington's intentions.\n\nThe carrier entered the Persian Gulf on 26 January, according to the US Navy. Many analysts consider a US military strike on Iran plausible \u2014 some even inevitable. The uncertainty lies not in whether, but in how and to what end.\n\nScenarios discussed by regional and US sources range from limited strikes or targeted eliminations of senior regime figures to attacks on military infrastructure and repression apparatuses, or a combination of these options. What remains opaque is whether Washington's objective would be regime change or merely regime weakening.\n\nThe carrier's deployment suggests long-term positioning rather than short-term signalling. According to the New York Times, Trump has received intelligence reports indicating the Islamic Republic's hold on power is at its weakest point since the 1979 Islamic Revolution deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.\n\nWeakening the regime \u2014 and who pays the price\n\nIf the US strategy focuses solely on weakening the Islamic Republic rather than facilitating a political transition, analysts warn that civilians will bear the highest cost. While some regional economies or energy markets could benefit in the short term, the social and economic collapse inside Iran would deepen.\n\nSeveral economic experts note that a democratic, Western-oriented Iran would not necessarily align with the interests of all regional actors. Alongside China, several regional powers have benefited materially from Iran's isolation under sanctions.\n\nYet from a longer-term Western perspective, analysts argue that a stable, democratic Iran would better serve shared interests \u2014 economically, politically, and in terms of regional energy cooperation \u2014 than a perpetually weakened state drifting further into dependence on Beijing and Moscow.\n\nStrategic ambiguity may offer flexibility, but it also creates space for rival powers to consolidate influence in the absence of decisive Western engagement.\n\nThis evolving landscape carries a message for the Iranian opposition in the diaspora. This is increasingly seen as a moment that calls for restraint rather than retaliation, and coordination rather than internal rivalry.\n\nSurveys suggest a meaningful shift in public sentiment toward opposition figures like Reza Pahlavi since last year's 12-day conflict.\n\nBy early 2026, that picture appears to have changed. The emergence of slogans such as \"This is the last battle, Pahlavi is coming back,\" voiced by a younger generation with no lived memory of the pre-1979 era, signals a political reassessment shaped by present realities rather than historical nostalgia. It reflects an echo of voices from inside Iran rather than a projection imposed from outside.\n\nThis shift does not imply consensus on Iran's future system of governance, nor does it imply unconditional endorsement of any individual. Instead, it points to growing acceptance of a pragmatic arrangement for a transitional period \u2014 a minimum political understanding rather than full agreement \u2014 that can engage the international community as a credible interlocutor.\n\nAt a time when fragmentation risks weakening the broader cause, coherence may matter more than ideological precision.\n\nResponsibility is not limited to political actors. It also lies with those who choose silence in order to avoid making a mistake \u2014 those who prefer not to \"write the test\" so there can be no errors. At some point, politeness must give way to responsibility.\n\nHistory is not shaped by those who watch from the sidelines. Iranian-origin lawmakers, legal experts, artists, athletes and cultural figures bear particular responsibility.\n\nTheir credibility and reach allow them to frame Iran not as an abstract geopolitical problem, but as an urgent human rights crisis requiring action.\n\nEurope: A test of unity and human rights credibility\n\nThese questions have reached European institutions as well. On Monday, the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Iran convened a session chaired by Hannah Neumann, with participation from MEPs, European Commission representatives, the EU External Action Service, and Iranian human rights activists.\n\nParticipants reiterated calls to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation under EU law. EU officials stressed, however, that such a decision lies with the European Council and would require unanimous agreement among all 27 member states.\n\nDiplomatic sources say that while several countries support the designation, others \u2014 including France and Spain \u2014 remain opposed, citing legal precedent and diplomatic consequences. The EU's foreign policy apparatus continues to stress maintaining channels of dialogue with Tehran.\n\nThese developments are unfolding under close global scrutiny. Rising repression in Iran, growing military movements in the region, and Europe's limited response are being observed alongside another reality: at the same time, senior European officials are engaged in major trade negotiations in India, the world's most populous country.\n\nFor many observers, this contrast raises questions about priorities and risks undermining Europe's credibility on human rights at a moment when its voice could matter most.\n\nThe Iranian regime has shown no hesitation in using the death penalty to crush dissent, instil fear, and punish marginalised communities.\n\nEuropean Parliament President Roberta Metsola has called for Europe to act \u2014 and act fast. Responding to the reported scale of casualties, Neumann described the violence as deeply alarming and urged Europe to move beyond declarations toward concrete action \u2014 a position echoed by many within the Iranian diaspora.\n\nAccountability beyond symbolism\n\nAnalysts caution that symbolic gestures alone are unlikely to alter realities on the ground. Statements, condemnations, and demonstrations \u2014 while understandable \u2014 often consume political energy that could otherwise be directed toward accountability mechanisms.\n\nInternational legal tools remain underused: UN special procedures, fact-finding missions, cases based on universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions, and international judicial processes. From this perspective, the priority for actors outside Iran should be increasing the global cost of repression \u2014 not offering guidance to protesters who already face existential risk.\n\nResponsibility does not rest solely with political leaders. It also extends to those who choose silence out of caution \u2014 preferring inaction to the risk of being wrong. At a certain point, restraint becomes disengagement.\n\nThe central issue is not consensus on Iran's eventual political system, but whether political and civic actors are willing to acknowledge realities and act within them. Transitional periods often require imperfect but workable frameworks. Rejecting all flawed options may delay accountability rather than safeguard democratic values.\n\nIran is neither Syria nor Venezuela. Its people are not passive observers but a society that has paid a heavy price.\n\nThe question is no longer whether Iran is ready for change. It is whether the international community is ready to respond \u2014 clearly, decisively, and with accountability at its core.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>When protests erupted across Iran in late December over economic collapse, the regime's response was swift and deadly. <\/p>\n<p>What followed was not crowd control but calculated slaughter. International human rights organisations now describe it as one of the largest mass killings of protesters in modern times. <\/p>\n<p>The question facing Western capitals is no longer whether atrocities occurred, but whether the international community possesses the will to respond with anything beyond rhetoric.<\/p>\n<p>\"There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic has committed one of the largest mass killings of protesters of our time,\" said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, head of the Oslo-based organisation Iran Human Rights, during an online European Parliament meeting.<\/p>\n<p>Growing evidence suggests the Islamic Republic reached a strategic decision before protests began \u2014 protests that were themselves predictable given Iran's collapsing economic conditions. That decision was stark: survival through mass killing and the deliberate production of fear.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//77//808x539_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg/" alt=\"A woman holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/384x256_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/640x427_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/750x500_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/828x552_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1080x720_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1200x800_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1920x1280_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A woman holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>From this perspective, blaming opposition figures or foreign leaders \u2014 including President Donald Trump \u2014 for the deaths of unarmed protesters appears overly simplistic. <\/p>\n<p>Whether protests were formally called for or not, security forces operated under clear orders to fire with lethal intent. Video evidence from across Iran shows a consistent, coordinated pattern of repression now under review by international legal bodies. The violence was not spontaneous. It was premeditated.<\/p>\n<p>According to credible documentation from international human rights organisations, casualty figures remain contested. Iran Human Rights documented at least 3,428 deaths by 14 January. <\/p>\n<p>By late January, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 6,126 deaths. Time magazine and Iran International cited hospital records suggesting between 30,000 and 36,500 deaths on 8-9 January alone, though these higher figures remain unverified. Iran's government acknowledged 3,117 deaths by 21 January. However, on 16 January 2026, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, said in a media interview that at least 5,000 people had been killed, noting that according to information she received from medical sources, the death toll might be as high as 20,000.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//27//iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim/">Iran protests death toll could surpass 30,000, reports claim<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//iran-protests-reveal-weakened-regime-but-collapse-not-guaranteed-warns-former-un-official/">Iran protests reveal weakened regime but collapse 'not guaranteed,' warns former UN official<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Iran's leadership was acutely aware that a 12-day conflict involving the United States and Israel in mid-2025 had ended inconclusively. From Tehran's perspective, renewed confrontation remained a real possibility. Buying time became a priority. <\/p>\n<p>Decision-makers calculated that if another military escalation occurred, the public would no longer remain passive. <\/p>\n<p>Unlike previous crises, worsening economic conditions meant that a significant segment of society could move from silent endurance to active resistance \u2014 potentially becoming what the regime views as internal \"enemy forces.\"<\/p>\n<p>Many protesters who took to the streets, especially on 8 and 9 January, appear to have been encouraged by repeated public messages from Trump. <\/p>\n<p>He explicitly urged Iranians to remain in the streets in multiple social media posts, writing \"help is on its way\" and \"Iranian patriots, keep protesting - take over your institutions.\" <\/p>\n<p>On 2 January, he posted on Truth Social: \"We are locked and loaded and ready to go.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x539_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Military positioning and strategic ambiguity<\/h2>\n<p>The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group toward the Persian Gulf has intensified speculation about Washington's intentions. <\/p>\n<p>The carrier entered the Persian Gulf on 26 January, according to the US Navy. Many analysts consider a US military strike on Iran plausible \u2014 some even inevitable. The uncertainty lies not in whether, but in how and to what end.<\/p>\n<p>Scenarios discussed by regional and US sources range from limited strikes or targeted eliminations of senior regime figures to attacks on military infrastructure and repression apparatuses, or a combination of these options. What remains opaque is whether Washington's objective would be regime change or merely regime weakening.<\/p>\n<p>The carrier's deployment suggests long-term positioning rather than short-term signalling. According to the New York Times, Trump has received intelligence reports indicating the Islamic Republic's hold on power is at its weakest point since the 1979 Islamic Revolution deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//77//808x539_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg/" alt=\"The sun sets over the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, 22 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/384x256_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/640x427_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/750x500_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/828x552_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1080x720_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1200x800_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1920x1280_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The sun sets over the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, 22 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Weakening the regime \u2014 and who pays the price<\/h2>\n<p>If the US strategy focuses solely on weakening the Islamic Republic rather than facilitating a political transition, analysts warn that civilians will bear the highest cost. While some regional economies or energy markets could benefit in the short term, the social and economic collapse inside Iran would deepen.<\/p>\n<p>Several economic experts note that a democratic, Western-oriented Iran would not necessarily align with the interests of all regional actors. Alongside China, several regional powers have benefited materially from Iran's isolation under sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>Yet from a longer-term Western perspective, analysts argue that a stable, democratic Iran would better serve shared interests \u2014 economically, politically, and in terms of regional energy cooperation \u2014 than a perpetually weakened state drifting further into dependence on Beijing and Moscow. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6525\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x528_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x251_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x418_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x489_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x540_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x705_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x783_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1253_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Strategic ambiguity may offer flexibility, but it also creates space for rival powers to consolidate influence in the absence of decisive Western engagement.<\/p>\n<p>This evolving landscape carries a message for the Iranian opposition in the diaspora. This is increasingly seen as a moment that calls for restraint rather than retaliation, and coordination rather than internal rivalry. <\/p>\n<p>Surveys suggest a meaningful shift in public sentiment toward opposition figures like Reza Pahlavi since last year's 12-day conflict.<\/p>\n<p>By early 2026, that picture appears to have changed. The emergence of slogans such as \"This is the last battle, Pahlavi is coming back,\" voiced by a younger generation with no lived memory of the pre-1979 era, signals a political reassessment shaped by present realities rather than historical nostalgia. It reflects an echo of voices from inside Iran rather than a projection imposed from outside.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//39//87//808x539_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg/" alt=\"A shopkeeper waits for customer at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/384x256_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/640x427_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/750x500_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/828x552_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1080x720_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1200x800_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1920x1280_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A shopkeeper waits for customer at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>This shift does not imply consensus on Iran's future system of governance, nor does it imply unconditional endorsement of any individual. Instead, it points to growing acceptance of a pragmatic arrangement for a transitional period \u2014 a minimum political understanding rather than full agreement \u2014 that can engage the international community as a credible interlocutor. <\/p>\n<p>At a time when fragmentation risks weakening the broader cause, coherence may matter more than ideological precision.<\/p>\n<p>Responsibility is not limited to political actors. It also lies with those who choose silence in order to avoid making a mistake \u2014 those who prefer not to \"write the test\" so there can be no errors. At some point, politeness must give way to responsibility. <\/p>\n<p>History is not shaped by those who watch from the sidelines. Iranian-origin lawmakers, legal experts, artists, athletes and cultural figures bear particular responsibility. <\/p>\n<p>Their credibility and reach allow them to frame Iran not as an abstract geopolitical problem, but as an urgent human rights crisis requiring action.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//77//808x539_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 14 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/384x256_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/640x427_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/750x500_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/828x552_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1080x720_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1200x800_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1920x1280_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 14 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Europe: A test of unity and human rights credibility<\/h2>\n<p>These questions have reached European institutions as well. On Monday, the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Iran convened a session chaired by Hannah Neumann, with participation from MEPs, European Commission representatives, the EU External Action Service, and Iranian human rights activists.<\/p>\n<p>Participants reiterated calls to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation under EU law. EU officials stressed, however, that such a decision lies with the European Council and would require unanimous agreement among all 27 member states.<\/p>\n<p>Diplomatic sources say that while several countries support the designation, others \u2014 including France and Spain \u2014 remain opposed, citing legal precedent and diplomatic consequences. The EU's foreign policy apparatus continues to stress maintaining channels of dialogue with Tehran.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//77//808x539_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 10 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/384x256_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/640x427_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/750x500_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/828x552_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1080x720_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1200x800_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1920x1280_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 10 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>These developments are unfolding under close global scrutiny. Rising repression in Iran, growing military movements in the region, and Europe's limited response are being observed alongside another reality: at the same time, senior European officials are engaged in major trade negotiations in India, the world's most populous country. <\/p>\n<p>For many observers, this contrast raises questions about priorities and risks undermining Europe's credibility on human rights at a moment when its voice could matter most. <\/p>\n<p>The Iranian regime has shown no hesitation in using the death penalty to crush dissent, instil fear, and punish marginalised communities.<\/p>\n<p>European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has called for Europe to act \u2014 and act fast. Responding to the reported scale of casualties, Neumann described the violence as deeply alarming and urged Europe to move beyond declarations toward concrete action \u2014 a position echoed by many within the Iranian diaspora.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//iranian-authorities-unveil-new-billboard-in-tehran-warning-us-against-taking-military-acti/">Iranian authorities unveil new billboard in Tehran warning US against taking military action <\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//italy-urges-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terrorist-organisation/">Italy urges EU to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as 'terrorist organisation'<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Accountability beyond symbolism<\/h2>\n<p>Analysts caution that symbolic gestures alone are unlikely to alter realities on the ground. Statements, condemnations, and demonstrations \u2014 while understandable \u2014 often consume political energy that could otherwise be directed toward accountability mechanisms.<\/p>\n<p>International legal tools remain underused: UN special procedures, fact-finding missions, cases based on universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions, and international judicial processes. From this perspective, the priority for actors outside Iran should be increasing the global cost of repression \u2014 not offering guidance to protesters who already face existential risk.<\/p>\n<p>Responsibility does not rest solely with political leaders. It also extends to those who choose silence out of caution \u2014 preferring inaction to the risk of being wrong. At a certain point, restraint becomes disengagement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//77//808x539_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg/" alt=\"A man holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/384x256_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/640x427_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/750x500_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/828x552_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1080x720_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1200x800_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/1920x1280_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A man holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The central issue is not consensus on Iran's eventual political system, but whether political and civic actors are willing to acknowledge realities and act within them. Transitional periods often require imperfect but workable frameworks. Rejecting all flawed options may delay accountability rather than safeguard democratic values.<\/p>\n<p>Iran is neither Syria nor Venezuela. Its people are not passive observers but a society that has paid a heavy price.<\/p>\n<p>The question is no longer whether Iran is ready for change. It is whether the international community is ready to respond \u2014 clearly, decisively, and with accountability at its core.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769513618,"updatedAt":1769521578,"publishedAt":1769521561,"firstPublishedAt":1769521561,"lastPublishedAt":1769521561,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d707ba5b-1b64-5f0f-8dfe-8ef79618a3c1-9627777.jpg","altText":"In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","caption":"In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_10eb55bc-8961-5dc0-848b-fa9bb896e5b1-9627777.jpg","altText":"A man holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026","caption":"A man holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_36c1da38-5e5d-5d29-95e9-b80d3d6c8320-9627777.jpg","altText":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 10 January, 2026","caption":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 10 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0e644131-d9b0-5e12-99b0-d4a01a8d2cda-9627777.jpg","altText":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 14 January, 2026","caption":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 14 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1e45bad9-6618-575e-8d11-5cba9f4bcb8a-9627777.jpg","altText":"The sun sets over the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, 22 January, 2026","caption":"The sun sets over the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, 22 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6b470e01-c96e-5041-9c6a-45c06e46b183-9627777.jpg","altText":"A woman holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026","caption":"A woman holds a map of Iran during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran in Bucharest, 24 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5455da46-2951-5843-bf66-f79d02da491d-9613987.jpg","altText":"A shopkeeper waits for customer at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","caption":"A shopkeeper waits for customer at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg","altText":"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","caption":"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg","altText":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","caption":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1305}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":1044,"urlSafeValue":"kamiar","title":"Babak 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News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/27\/analysis-promises-unkept-lives-lost-irans-protests-and-global-responsibility","lastModified":1769521561},{"id":2865511,"cid":9627833,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN DIFFERENT DEATH TOLL","daletPyramidId":4014001,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran protests death toll could surpass 30,000, reports claim","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran protests death toll could surpass 30,000, reports claim","titleListing2":"Iran protests death toll could surpass more than 30,000, reports claim","leadin":"Casualty estimates from Iran's protest crackdown range from 3,100 to over 30,000, with verification hampered by an internet shutdown. Human rights groups report thousands killed, including children.","summary":"Casualty estimates from Iran's protest crackdown range from 3,100 to over 30,000, with verification hampered by an internet shutdown. Human rights groups report thousands killed, including children.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/27\/iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Casualty estimates from Iran's ongoing protest crackdown range from approximately 3,100 according to state media to more than 30,000 cited by independent sources and medical professionals, with verification hampered by a near-total internet shutdown now in its fourth week.\n\nThe US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Tuesday that at least 6,126 people have been killed, including 5,777 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 86 children and 49 civilians, based on verified reports from its network of activists inside Iran.\n\nIranian state television reported last week that 3,117 people were killed during the demonstrations, with the Martyrs Foundation stating that 2,427 were civilians and security forces. Authorities have labelled remaining casualties as \"terrorists\".\n\nHowever, Time magazine on Sunday cited two senior Iranian health ministry officials saying at least 30,000 people had been killed in street clashes across Iranian cities. The Guardian reported a similar figure of 30,000 deaths on 7 January, citing its sources, and added that a large number of people had disappeared.\n\nAyatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged on 27 December that \"several thousand people\" had been killed, attributing the deaths to \"domestic and international criminals.\"\n\nHe has repeatedly claimed protesters are \"rioters and terrorists\" affiliated with the United States and Israeli governments, though he has not explained how such large-scale operations were carried out.\n\nDr Hashim Moazenzadeh, a surgeon in France who maintains regular contact with medical and hospital sources inside Iran, told Euronews Farsi that at least 22,000 deaths have been recorded in forensic facilities based on information from various hospital sources.\n\nMoazenzadeh said evidence showed security forces shot people who were fleeing, with images revealing bullet entry and exit wounds through the back of victims' heads. He said more than 900 bodies were transported to Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran within 36 hours following the bloodiest days of repression on 18 and 19 January.\n\nScores in body bags\n\nUN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Iran Mai Sato told Le Monde Monday that while official Iranian government figures put the death toll at \"a little over 3,000,\" reports she has received indicate the actual number may reach tens of thousands.\n\nShe said internet outages and lack of independent access have prevented accurate assessment of casualties.\n\nAmnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented security forces killing at least 28 protesters and bystanders, including children, in 13 cities across eight provinces between 31 December 2025 and 3 January.\n\nThe organisations said Iranian security forces, including the Revolutionary Guard, unlawfully used rifles, shotguns loaded with metal pellets, water cannon, tear gas and beatings against largely peaceful protesters.\n\nVerified video evidence analysed by Amnesty International from 10 January showed at least 205 body bags at a makeshift morgue in Kahrizak near Tehran, established as overflow for the official morgue.\n\nThe organisation documented security forces firing from elevated positions including rooftops and footbridges in multiple cities.\n\nA medical worker from Mashhad told Amnesty International that 150 bodies of young protesters were brought to one hospital on the night of 9 January and taken to Behesht Reza Cemetery.\n\nThe source said authorities buried people quickly before identification and then notified families afterwards.\n\nMoney for remains of loved ones\n\nReports indicate families face demands for ransom payments between $5,000 and $7,000 to receive bodies of deceased relatives, according to Sato.\n\nSome families have been required to accept official accounts describing the deceased as aligned with government Basij forces rather than as protesters before bodies are released.\n\nPublished images show victims with medical equipment still attached to their bodies, including IV tubes, syringes and bandages, alongside visible gunshot wounds.\n\nEvidence suggests the possibility that some injured individuals who were receiving hospital treatment were subsequently killed.\n\nMost casualties have been caused by gunshots or shotgun fire, in an escalation from previous protest crackdowns, where baton use was more common. Many victims were shot from behind while fleeing, according to medical sources.\n\nDr Qassim Fakhraei, head of Tehran's Farabi Eye Hospital, announced that 1,000 people came to the hospital with eye injuries during December protests alone, suggesting hundreds may have suffered eye trauma from shotgun pellets aimed at faces.\n\nSeveral doctors and medical staff have been detained in Tehran and other cities for treating injured protesters and refusing to cooperate with security officers, according to Moazenzadeh.\n\nHe said medical personnel are among the few reliable witnesses to events and face \"systematic elimination.\"\n\nEconomic grievances turned anti-regime demonstrations\n\nSecurity forces have arrested hundreds of protesters during demonstrations and nightly home raids, with some taken from hospitals. Authorities have subjected many to enforced disappearance and incommunicado detention, human rights organisations reported.\n\nIran's judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said on 14 January that trials and punishments must proceed swiftly.\n\n\"If we want to do something, we must do it quickly and on time. If we are able to do something today but do it two or three months later, it will not have the same effect,\" Mohseni-Ejei stated.\n\nThe protests began in late December over economic grievances \u2014 a spike in food prices caused by currency depreciation and hyperinflation \u2014 then rapidly spread nationwide following a call to demonstrate by Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's late shah, on 8 January.\n\nIranian authorities imposed a near-total internet shutdown during the crackdown, restricting communication inside the country and limiting information flow to the outside world.\n\nThe blackout has disrupted everyday life, including digital transactions and the functioning of hospitals, pharmacies, banks and government offices.\n\nAvailable statistics primarily relate to Tehran and several large cities including Mashhad, Karaj, Shiraz and Isfahan, suggesting actual casualty figures across the country may be significantly higher.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Casualty estimates from Iran's ongoing protest crackdown range from approximately 3,100 according to state media to more than 30,000 cited by independent sources and medical professionals, with verification hampered by a near-total internet shutdown now in its fourth week.<\/p>\n<p>The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Tuesday that at least 6,126 people have been killed, including 5,777 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 86 children and 49 civilians, based on verified reports from its network of activists inside Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian state television reported last week that 3,117 people were killed during the demonstrations, with the Martyrs Foundation stating that 2,427 were civilians and security forces. Authorities have labelled remaining casualties as \"terrorists\".<\/p>\n<p>However, Time magazine on Sunday cited two senior Iranian health ministry officials saying at least 30,000 people had been killed in street clashes across Iranian cities. The Guardian reported a similar figure of 30,000 deaths on 7 January, citing its sources, and added that a large number of people had disappeared.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//78//33//808x539_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government, in Berlin, 18 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/384x256_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/640x427_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/750x500_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/828x552_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1080x720_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1200x800_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1920x1281_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government, in Berlin, 18 January 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged on 27 December that \"several thousand people\" had been killed, attributing the deaths to \"domestic and international criminals.\" <\/p>\n<p>He has repeatedly claimed protesters are \"rioters and terrorists\" affiliated with the United States and Israeli governments, though he has not explained how such large-scale operations were carried out.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Hashim Moazenzadeh, a surgeon in France who maintains regular contact with medical and hospital sources inside Iran, told Euronews Farsi that at least 22,000 deaths have been recorded in forensic facilities based on information from various hospital sources.<\/p>\n<p>Moazenzadeh said evidence showed security forces shot people who were fleeing, with images revealing bullet entry and exit wounds through the back of victims' heads. He said more than 900 bodies were transported to Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran within 36 hours following the bloodiest days of repression on 18 and 19 January.<\/p>\n<h2>Scores in body bags<\/h2>\n<p>UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Iran Mai Sato told Le Monde Monday that while official Iranian government figures put the death toll at \"a little over 3,000,\" reports she has received indicate the actual number may reach tens of thousands. <\/p>\n<p>She said internet outages and lack of independent access have prevented accurate assessment of casualties.<\/p>\n<p>Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented security forces killing at least 28 protesters and bystanders, including children, in 13 cities across eight provinces between 31 December 2025 and 3 January. <\/p>\n<p>The organisations said Iranian security forces, including the Revolutionary Guard, unlawfully used rifles, shotguns loaded with metal pellets, water cannon, tear gas and beatings against largely peaceful protesters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//78//33//808x539_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: A man stands with his motorbike in front of a huge banner showing hands holding Iranian flags as a sign of patriotism, in Tehran, 14 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/384x256_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/640x427_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/750x500_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/828x552_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1080x720_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1200x800_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1920x1281_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: A man stands with his motorbike in front of a huge banner showing hands holding Iranian flags as a sign of patriotism, in Tehran, 14 January 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Verified video evidence analysed by Amnesty International from 10 January showed at least 205 body bags at a makeshift morgue in Kahrizak near Tehran, established as overflow for the official morgue. <\/p>\n<p>The organisation documented security forces firing from elevated positions including rooftops and footbridges in multiple cities.<\/p>\n<p>A medical worker from Mashhad told Amnesty International that 150 bodies of young protesters were brought to one hospital on the night of 9 January and taken to Behesht Reza Cemetery. <\/p>\n<p>The source said authorities buried people quickly before identification and then notified families afterwards.<\/p>\n<h2>Money for remains of loved ones<\/h2>\n<p>Reports indicate families face demands for ransom payments between $5,000 and $7,000 to receive bodies of deceased relatives, according to Sato. <\/p>\n<p>Some families have been required to accept official accounts describing the deceased as aligned with government Basij forces rather than as protesters before bodies are released.<\/p>\n<p>Published images show victims with medical equipment still attached to their bodies, including IV tubes, syringes and bandages, alongside visible gunshot wounds. <\/p>\n<p>Evidence suggests the possibility that some injured individuals who were receiving hospital treatment were subsequently killed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6962890625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//21//82//808x561_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/384x267_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/640x446_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/750x522_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/828x577_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/1080x752_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/1200x836_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/1920x1337_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Most casualties have been caused by gunshots or shotgun fire, in an escalation from previous protest crackdowns, where baton use was more common. Many victims were shot from behind while fleeing, according to medical sources.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Qassim Fakhraei, head of Tehran's Farabi Eye Hospital, announced that 1,000 people came to the hospital with eye injuries during December protests alone, suggesting hundreds may have suffered eye trauma from shotgun pellets aimed at faces.<\/p>\n<p>Several doctors and medical staff have been detained in Tehran and other cities for treating injured protesters and refusing to cooperate with security officers, according to Moazenzadeh. <\/p>\n<p>He said medical personnel are among the few reliable witnesses to events and face \"systematic elimination.\"<\/p>\n<h2>Economic grievances turned anti-regime demonstrations<\/h2>\n<p>Security forces have arrested hundreds of protesters during demonstrations and nightly home raids, with some taken from hospitals. Authorities have subjected many to enforced disappearance and incommunicado detention, human rights organisations reported.<\/p>\n<p>Iran's judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said on 14 January that trials and punishments must proceed swiftly.<\/p>\n<p>\"If we want to do something, we must do it quickly and on time. If we are able to do something today but do it two or three months later, it will not have the same effect,\" Mohseni-Ejei stated.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7275390625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//78//33//808x590_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: A woman places flowers on an installation during a demonstration in support of the protests happening in Iran, in Cologne, 17 January 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/384x279_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/640x466_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/750x546_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/828x602_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1080x786_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1200x873_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/1920x1397_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: A woman places flowers on an installation during a demonstration in support of the protests happening in Iran, in Cologne, 17 January 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The protests began in late December over economic grievances \u2014 a spike in food prices caused by currency depreciation and hyperinflation \u2014 then rapidly spread nationwide following a call to demonstrate by Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's late shah, on 8 January.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//italy-urges-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terrorist-organisation/">Italy urges EU to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as 'terrorist organisation'<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//iran-protests-reveal-weakened-regime-but-collapse-not-guaranteed-warns-former-un-official/">Iran protests reveal weakened regime but collapse 'not guaranteed,' warns former UN official<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Iranian authorities imposed a near-total internet shutdown during the crackdown, restricting communication inside the country and limiting information flow to the outside world. <\/p>\n<p>The blackout has disrupted everyday life, including digital transactions and the functioning of hospitals, pharmacies, banks and government offices.<\/p>\n<p>Available statistics primarily relate to Tehran and several large cities including Mashhad, Karaj, Shiraz and Isfahan, suggesting actual casualty figures across the country may be significantly higher.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769516668,"updatedAt":1769537643,"publishedAt":1769519067,"firstPublishedAt":1769519067,"lastPublishedAt":1769523663,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"A defaced poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed on a gate of Iran's embassy, during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran, in Santiago, 20 January 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"A defaced poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed on a gate of Iran's embassy, during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran, in Santiago, 20 January 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/49\/41\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a492c59f-af6e-5187-aa17-02ffa224ad02-9624941.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"FILE: A man stands with his motorbike in front of a huge banner showing hands holding Iranian flags as a sign of patriotism, in Tehran, 14 January 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"FILE: A man stands with his motorbike in front of a huge banner showing hands holding Iranian flags as a sign of patriotism, in Tehran, 14 January 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f5fa714a-3e23-549d-89c2-bd3b38cbdb19-9627833.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"FILE: A woman places flowers on an installation during a demonstration in support of the protests happening in Iran, in Cologne, 17 January 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"FILE: A woman places flowers on an installation during a demonstration in support of the protests happening in Iran, in Cologne, 17 January 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0f3e5645-b337-510c-bf4c-fa25b5c1dd3d-9627833.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":745},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"FILE: Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government, in Berlin, 18 January 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"FILE: Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government, in Berlin, 18 January 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/78\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_90a5f2e0-72ca-5f2e-947a-c0d86854da8f-9627833.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"FILE: Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"FILE: Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/21\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c801b8d6-a1b8-52a9-98f2-4f0181cac882-9612182.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":713}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"salari","twitter":"@massoudsalari","id":658,"title":"Massoud Salari"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"istatistik","titleRaw":"statistics ","id":15708,"title":"statistics ","slug":"istatistik"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026","id":30620,"title":"Iran protests 2026","slug":"iran-protests-2026"}],"widgets":[{"count":4,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2864150}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"VD7QvkKq660","dailymotionId":"x9ymoyk"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":103800,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":17925614,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/01\/48\/07\/ED_PYR_3501487_20260127181406.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":103800,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":26300185,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/01\/48\/07\/SHD_PYR_3501487_20260127181406.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":103800,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":82484562,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/01\/48\/07\/FHD_PYR_3501487_20260127181406.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":2,"slug":"amazon-translate","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"fa","storyId":9627653,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/27\/iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim","lastModified":1769523663},{"id":2865215,"cid":9626235,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Escalation of protests in Iran and the regional impact","daletPyramidId":3999138,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran protests reveal weakened regime but collapse 'not guaranteed,' warns former UN official","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran regime weaker but collapse 'not guaranteed,' ex-UN official says","titleListing2":"Iran protests reveal weakened regime but collapse 'not guaranteed,' warns former UN official","leadin":"Renewed protests in Iran reflect economic collapse and political frustration, with fatalities, mass arrests, and communication blackouts, raising international concerns.","summary":"Renewed protests in Iran reflect economic collapse and political frustration, with fatalities, mass arrests, and communication blackouts, raising international concerns.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-protests-reveal-weakened-regime-but-collapse-not-guaranteed-warns-former-un-official","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/26\/iran-protests-reveal-weakened-regime-but-collapse-not-guaranteed-warns-former-un-official","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Islamic Republic regime in Tehran has been weakened by its inability to defend against Israeli and US airstrikes, emboldening protesters now facing violent repression across the country, according to a former senior UN refugee official.\n\n\"The Ayatollah (Ali Khamenei) regime is now considered weaker after showing that it was unable to defend itself from Israeli and American airstrikes in June 2025,\" said Guido Ambroso, former UNHCR representative in Azerbaijan.\n\nProtests have spread across several Iranian cities in recent weeks amid reports of fatalities, mass arrests and communication blackouts.\n\nThe demonstrations reflect years of inflation, currency depreciation and rising unemployment that have eroded living standards and widened discontent beyond traditionally marginalised groups.\n\nEconomic pressure meets political frustration\n\nUN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk has urged Iranian authorities to halt violence against peaceful demonstrators and respect fundamental rights. Human rights organisations have reported thousands of casualties among protesters, arbitrary detentions and house-to-house arrests.\n\nAmbroso said the unrest reflects a convergence of economic collapse and political frustration, with declining purchasing power affecting broad segments of society, including those who historically supported the authorities.\n\n\"There remains a highly educated and globally connected segment of society that feels increasingly excluded from decision-making and public life,\" he said.\n\nAccording to Ambroso, restrictions on political participation, cultural expression and civil liberties have fuelled anger particularly among urban youth and professionals.\n\nWhile the crisis was initially \"self-fuelling,\" with violent repression triggering further demonstrations, it has now \"to some extent run out of steam in the face of continuing repression and lack of meaningful external aid,\" Ambroso said.\n\nHe warned against assuming the regime's imminent collapse, noting that Iran's strong institutional traditions may allow authorities to withstand pressure longer than those of other regional governments.\n\n\"Should it lead to a downfall of the regime, which is not at all guaranteed, the consequences will be profound for all of the neighbouring countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Armenia, as well as parts of Central Asia and the Gulf,\" he said.\n\nA shift in the region\n\nTrade disruptions and heightened security measures have been reported, with some border crossings affected. Turkey has seen a limited increase in arrivals, though officials note these include foreign nationals and diplomatic families as well as Iranians.\n\nAmbroso praised Turkey for keeping its borders open, while already hosting millions of Syrian refugees who are only now beginning to return following the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024.\n\nHe warned that a sharper escalation could trigger wider displacement, with Iraq's Kurdish region, Tajikistan and Afghanistan potentially affected due to ethnic and linguistic ties.\n\nUN and humanitarian agencies have warned that their capacity to respond is limited, as global aid resources remain strained following recent funding cuts.\n\nAmbroso outlined two scenarios for Iran's future. In one, authorities contain the unrest through repression and limited concessions, restoring stability while emerging weakened domestically and internationally.\n\nThe second, less likely outcome involves a political transition towards a more open system, which would alter regional geopolitics and complicate relations with key partners Russia and China.\n\n\"What is also important is that should the situation deteriorate further because of repression or conflict, countries should keep their borders open and provide protection to those fleeing persecution,\" Ambroso said.\n\nHe noted Iran opened its borders to over one million Iraqi-Kurdish refugees in April 1991 and currently hosts more than 700,000 Afghan refugees.\n\n\"Now it is time to show generosity towards Iranians seeking international protection,\" he said. \"I am convinced that most Iranian refugees would repatriate as soon as there is a return to at least some level of freedom and democracy.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Islamic Republic regime in Tehran has been weakened by its inability to defend against Israeli and US airstrikes, emboldening protesters now facing violent repression across the country, according to a former senior UN refugee official.<\/p>\n<p>\"The Ayatollah (Ali Khamenei) regime is now considered weaker after showing that it was unable to defend itself from Israeli and American airstrikes in June 2025,\" said Guido Ambroso, former UNHCR representative in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<p>Protests have spread across several Iranian cities in recent weeks amid reports of fatalities, mass arrests and communication blackouts. <\/p>\n<p>The demonstrations reflect years of inflation, currency depreciation and rising unemployment that have eroded living standards and widened discontent beyond traditionally marginalised groups.<\/p>\n<h2>Economic pressure meets political frustration<\/h2>\n<p>UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk has urged Iranian authorities to halt violence against peaceful demonstrators and respect fundamental rights. Human rights organisations have reported thousands of casualties among protesters, arbitrary detentions and house-to-house arrests.<\/p>\n<p>Ambroso said the unrest reflects a convergence of economic collapse and political frustration, with declining purchasing power affecting broad segments of society, including those who historically supported the authorities.<\/p>\n<p>\"There remains a highly educated and globally connected segment of society that feels increasingly excluded from decision-making and public life,\" he said. <\/p>\n<p>According to Ambroso, restrictions on political participation, cultural expression and civil liberties have fuelled anger particularly among urban youth and professionals.<\/p>\n<p>While the crisis was initially \"self-fuelling,\" with violent repression triggering further demonstrations, it has now \"to some extent run out of steam in the face of continuing repression and lack of meaningful external aid,\" Ambroso said.<\/p>\n<p>He warned against assuming the regime's imminent collapse, noting that Iran's strong institutional traditions may allow authorities to withstand pressure longer than those of other regional governments.<\/p>\n<p>\"Should it lead to a downfall of the regime, which is not at all guaranteed, the consequences will be profound for all of the neighbouring countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Armenia, as well as parts of Central Asia and the Gulf,\" he said.<\/p>\n<h2>A shift in the region<\/h2>\n<p>Trade disruptions and heightened security measures have been reported, with some border crossings affected. Turkey has seen a limited increase in arrivals, though officials note these include foreign nationals and diplomatic families as well as Iranians.<\/p>\n<p>Ambroso praised Turkey for keeping its borders open, while already hosting millions of Syrian refugees who are only now beginning to return following the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024.<\/p>\n<p>He warned that a sharper escalation could trigger wider displacement, with Iraq's Kurdish region, Tajikistan and Afghanistan potentially affected due to ethnic and linguistic ties.<\/p>\n<p>UN and humanitarian agencies have warned that their capacity to respond is limited, as global aid resources remain strained following recent funding cuts.<\/p>\n<p>Ambroso outlined two scenarios for Iran's future. In one, authorities contain the unrest through repression and limited concessions, restoring stability while emerging weakened domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n<p>The second, less likely outcome involves a political transition towards a more open system, which would alter regional geopolitics and complicate relations with key partners Russia and China.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//iranian-authorities-unveil-new-billboard-in-tehran-warning-us-against-taking-military-acti/">Iranian authorities unveil new billboard in Tehran warning US against taking military action <\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//26//italy-urges-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terrorist-organisation/">Italy urges EU to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as 'terrorist organisation'<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"What is also important is that should the situation deteriorate further because of repression or conflict, countries should keep their borders open and provide protection to those fleeing persecution,\" Ambroso said.<\/p>\n<p>He noted Iran opened its borders to over one million Iraqi-Kurdish refugees in April 1991 and currently hosts more than 700,000 Afghan refugees.<\/p>\n<p>\"Now it is time to show generosity towards Iranians seeking international protection,\" he said. \"I am convinced that most Iranian refugees would repatriate as soon as there is a return to at least some level of freedom and democracy.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769425065,"updatedAt":1769443972,"publishedAt":1769443955,"firstPublishedAt":1769443955,"lastPublishedAt":1769443955,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/62\/35\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b36989a6-2af5-52ff-9041-5b058a63ccc7-9626235.jpg","altText":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran","caption":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1434}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3574,"urlSafeValue":"saida.rustamova@euronews.com","title":"Saida Rustamova","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":27428,"slug":"central-asia","urlSafeValue":"central-asia","title":"Central Asia","titleRaw":"Central Asia"},{"id":8151,"slug":"refugees","urlSafeValue":"refugees","title":"Refugees","titleRaw":"Refugees"},{"id":9899,"slug":"ali-khamenei","urlSafeValue":"ali-khamenei","title":"Ali Khamenei","titleRaw":"Ali Khamenei"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/26\/iran-protests-reveal-weakened-regime-but-collapse-not-guaranteed-warns-former-un-official","lastModified":1769443955},{"id":2865269,"cid":9626448,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ITALY ON REVOLUTIONARY GUARD","daletPyramidId":4001618,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Italy urges EU to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as 'terrorist organisation'","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Italy urges EU to list Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terror group","titleListing2":"Italy urges EU to proscribe Iran's Revolutionary Guards as 'terrorist organisation'","leadin":"Placing the most powerful branch of Iran\u2019s armed forces on the EU\u2019s terrorist list would put the IRGC alongside groups such as the so-called IS, al-Qaeda, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.","summary":"Placing the most powerful branch of Iran\u2019s armed forces on the EU\u2019s terrorist list would put the IRGC alongside groups such as the so-called IS, al-Qaeda, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.","keySentence":"","url":"italy-urges-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terrorist-organisation","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/26\/italy-urges-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terrorist-organisation","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the EU on Monday to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a \"terrorist organisation\" following Tehran's deadly crackdown on country-wide mass protests over the past weeks.\n\nTajani said he would propose the idea \"in coordination with other partners\" at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday.\n\n\"The losses suffered by the civilian population during the protests demand a clear response,\" he wrote in a post on X, calling for the EU to levy individual sanctions against those responsible.\n\nUS-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Monday it had confirmed the deaths of nearly 6,000 people during the protests and was investigating another 17,000 possible fatalities.\n\nFor the first time last week, Iranian authorities offered their official death toll, which was set much lower at 3,117.\n\nThe EU has already sanctioned several hundred Iranian officials over crackdowns on previous protest movements and over Tehran's support for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\n\nThe bloc has also banned the export of a raft of components to Iran that could be used in the country's drone and missile manufacturing.\n\nLast week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to ban additional exports of critical drone and missile technologies.\n\nOn Friday, an EU official confirmed that the proposal to designate the IRGC a terrorist organisation was on the table for this week's meeting, but said it needs unanimity to be approved and \"we are not yet there\".\n\nPressure has been mounting on Brussels to place the IRGC on its terror list in response to the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, which initially started on 28 December after the rial fell to record lows against the US dollar.\n\nTravel bans, asset freezes\n\nPlacing the most powerful branch of Iran's armed forces on the EU\u2019s terrorist list would put the IRGC alongside groups such as the so-called IS, al-Qaeda, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.\n\nA terrorist group designation would subject its members to travel bans, asset freezes and \u201ca prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed,\" according to rules established by the European Council.\n\nAccording to diplomats in Brussels, countries like Germany and the Baltic states are among the countries pushing to revive discussions on the issue after the extreme violence exerted on protesters following two weeks of demonstrations.\n\nDutch Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel was among the first government officials to publicly\u00a0urge\u00a0the EU on X to \"list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.\"\n\nIn France, centrist MP Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade issued a similar appeal, arguing that Europe \"could not remain silent\" while \"hundreds of civilians have died and others have been injured by the regime\u2019s brutal soldiers, particularly the Guardians of the Revolution.\"\n\nThe US, Canada and Australia have already designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation.\n\nItaly, France and Spain are yet to make a decision, according to diplomats familiar with the matter. One diplomat told Euronews that a \"meaningful discussion\" should be held first, although he did not indicate whether his country would oppose it.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the EU on Monday to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a \"terrorist organisation\" following Tehran's deadly crackdown on country-wide mass protests over the past weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Tajani said he would propose the idea \"in coordination with other partners\" at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\"The losses suffered by the civilian population during the protests demand a clear response,\" he wrote in a post on X, calling for the EU to levy individual sanctions against those responsible.<\/p>\n<p>US-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Monday it had confirmed the deaths of nearly 6,000 people during the protests and was investigating another 17,000 possible fatalities.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time last week, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//22//iran-offers-first-government-issued-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-protesters/">Iranian authorities offered their official death toll<\/strong><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> which was set much lower at 3,117.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//64//48//808x539_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg/" alt=\"Italy&#x27;s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Crans-Montana, 2 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/384x256_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/640x427_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/750x500_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/828x552_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/1080x720_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/1200x800_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/1920x1280_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Italy&#x27;s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Crans-Montana, 2 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The EU has already sanctioned several hundred Iranian officials over crackdowns on previous protest movements and over Tehran's support for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>The bloc has also banned the export of a raft of components to Iran that could be used in the country's drone and missile manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to ban additional exports of critical drone and missile technologies.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, an EU official confirmed that the proposal to designate the IRGC a terrorist organisation was on the table for this week's meeting, but said it needs unanimity to be approved and \"we are not yet there\".<\/p>\n<p>Pressure has been <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2026//01//14//pressure-mounts-on-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guards-as-terror-organization/">mounting on Brussels to place the IRGC on its terror list<\/strong><\/a> in response to the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, which initially started on 28 December after the rial fell to record lows against the US dollar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//71//90//808x539_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg/" alt=\"European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, 3 September, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, 3 September, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Travel bans, asset freezes<\/h2>\n<p>Placing the most powerful branch of Iran's armed forces on the EU\u2019s terrorist list would put the IRGC alongside groups such as the so-called IS, al-Qaeda, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.<\/p>\n<p>A terrorist group designation would subject its members to travel bans, asset freezes and \u201ca prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed,\" according to rules established by the European Council.<\/p>\n<p>According to diplomats in Brussels, countries like Germany and the Baltic states are among the countries pushing to revive discussions on the issue after the extreme violence exerted on protesters following two weeks of demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel was among the first government officials to publicly <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////x.com//ministerBZ//status//2010686493249912907?s=20\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>urge<\/strong> <\/a>the EU on X to \"list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6885\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//64//48//808x557_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg/" alt=\"People walk in front a billboard with graphic showing a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck in Tehran, 25 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/384x264_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/640x441_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/750x516_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/828x570_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/1080x744_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/1200x826_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/1920x1322_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People walk in front a billboard with graphic showing a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck in Tehran, 25 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In France, centrist MP Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade issued a similar appeal, arguing that Europe \"could not remain silent\" while \"hundreds of civilians have died and others have been injured by the regime\u2019s brutal soldiers, particularly the Guardians of the Revolution.\"<\/p>\n<p>The US, Canada and Australia have already designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation.<\/p>\n<p>Italy, France and Spain are yet to make a decision, according to diplomats familiar with the matter. One diplomat told Euronews that a \"meaningful discussion\" should be held first, although he did not indicate whether his country would oppose it.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769434120,"updatedAt":1769436528,"publishedAt":1769436490,"firstPublishedAt":1769436490,"lastPublishedAt":1769436490,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7b9217d4-6013-5789-aa56-14d1684441f1-9626448.jpg","altText":"IRGC members march during an annual military parade just outside Tehran, 21 September, 2024","caption":"IRGC members march during an annual military parade just outside Tehran, 21 September, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1641,"height":923},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8bfc471e-648a-5483-95a1-d584b18e94e8-9626448.jpg","altText":"People walk in front a billboard with graphic showing a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck in Tehran, 25 January, 2026","caption":"People walk in front a billboard with graphic showing a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck in Tehran, 25 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1377},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bbdc090a-1746-5fd5-8b24-645b4c8d74a2-9626448.jpg","altText":"Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Crans-Montana, 2 January, 2026","caption":"Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Crans-Montana, 2 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/71\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_767f53e1-277c-50cd-a8af-957acd6494cc-9527190.jpg","altText":"European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, 3 September, 2025","caption":"European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, 3 September, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":30620,"slug":"iran-protests-2026","urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","title":"Iran protests 2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026"},{"id":12549,"slug":"irgc","urlSafeValue":"irgc","title":"IRGC","titleRaw":"IRGC"},{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":21822,"slug":"terrorist-organisation-member","urlSafeValue":"terrorist-organisation-member","title":"terrorist organisation member","titleRaw":"terrorist organisation member"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":3}],"related":[{"id":2865080},{"id":2864503},{"id":2864150}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP, AFP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/26\/italy-urges-eu-to-list-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terrorist-organisation","lastModified":1769436490},{"id":2865080,"cid":9625609,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN WARNS US BILLBOARD","daletPyramidId":3995237,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iranian authorities unveil new billboard in Tehran warning US against taking military action ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran unveils billboard warning US against taking military action","titleListing2":"Iranian authorities unveil new billboard in Tehran warning US against taking military action ","leadin":"The latest development comes days after US President Donald Trump said ships are being moved towards the region 'just in case' he decides to take action. In return, Iranian authorities warned its force is 'more ready than ever, finger on the trigger'.","summary":"The latest development comes days after US President Donald Trump said ships are being moved towards the region 'just in case' he decides to take action. In return, Iranian authorities warned its force is 'more ready than ever, finger on the trigger'.","keySentence":"","url":"iranian-authorities-unveil-new-billboard-in-tehran-warning-us-against-taking-military-acti","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/26\/iranian-authorities-unveil-new-billboard-in-tehran-warning-us-against-taking-military-acti","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iranian authorities unveiled a new billboard in a central Tehran Square on Sunday, seemingly aimed at warning the United States against intervention. The development comes shortly after President Donald Trump announced that the US is moving warships to the region \"just in case\" he wants to take action.\n\nThe billboard in Enghelab (Revolution) Square depicts an aircraft carrier with damaged and exploding fighter jets on its deck. Bodies and bloods of pool also cover the deck, with trails of blood, which show resemblence to the stripes of the American flag, streaming behind the fleet.\n\nThe graphic is accompanied by a slogan which reads: \"If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind\".\n\nEnghelab Square is typically used for state-organised gatherings, with authorities changeing its mural based on national occasions.\n\nLast week, Trump said aboard Air Force One that the US is \"watching Iran\" and is moving the ships towards the country \"just in case\" he wants to take action.\n\n\"We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won\u2019t have to use it, we'll see,\" he said on Thursday.\n\nTrump added that any military action would make earlier US strikes launched in June against Iranian nuclear sites \"look like peanuts\".\n\nOn Saturday, the commander of Iran\u2019s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a powerful force within the country\u2019s theocracy, warned the US and Israel to \"avoid any miscalculation,\" and that the force is \"more ready than ever, finger on the trigger\".\n\nIran's foreign minister also issued a warning against the United States earlier last week, the most direct threat yet, warning that the Islamic Republic will be \"firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack\".\n\n\"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,\" Araghchi wrote in an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal, referring to the 12-day conflict with Israel in June.\n\n\"This isn't a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.\"\n\nThe latest escalation of the tension between Tehran and Washington comes amid Iran's on-going crackdown on nationwide protests that began on 28 December. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll rose to at least 5,002, activists on Friday. It also says more than 41,280 people have been arrested.\n\nMany more are feared to be dead as Iran remains under an internet blackout that has lasted more than two weeks, severely restricting the flow of information.\n\nThe demonstrations began on 28 December initially over the collapse of the rial currency, but morphed into wider discontent with the country's government.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iranian authorities unveiled a new billboard in a central Tehran Square on Sunday, seemingly aimed at warning the United States against intervention. The development comes shortly after President Donald Trump announced that the US is moving warships to the region \"just in case\" he wants to take action.<\/p>\n<p>The billboard in Enghelab (Revolution) Square depicts an aircraft carrier with damaged and exploding fighter jets on its deck. Bodies and bloods of pool also cover the deck, with trails of blood, which show resemblence to the stripes of the American flag, streaming behind the fleet. <\/p>\n<p>The graphic is accompanied by a slogan which reads: \"If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind\".<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//56//09//808x539_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg/" alt=\"A billboard with a damaged aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets, strewn bodies, and trails of blood in Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25, 2026.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/384x256_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/640x427_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/750x500_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/828x552_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/1080x720_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/1200x800_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/1920x1280_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A billboard with a damaged aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets, strewn bodies, and trails of blood in Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25, 2026.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Enghelab Square is typically used for state-organised gatherings, with authorities changeing its mural based on national occasions. <\/p>\n<p>Last week, Trump said aboard Air Force One that the US is \"watching Iran\" and is moving the ships towards the country <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//23//death-toll-in-irans-protest-crackdown-reaches-5002-as-trump-says-us-armada-approaching/">/"just in case\" he wants to take action.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\"We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won\u2019t have to use it, we'll see,\" he said on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Trump added that any military action would make <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//06//22//trump-says-us-has-struck-three-nuclear-sites-in-iran-in-successful-attack/">earlier US strikes launched in June<\/a> against Iranian nuclear sites \"look like peanuts\".<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, the commander of Iran\u2019s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a powerful force within the country\u2019s theocracy, warned the US and Israel to \"avoid any miscalculation,\" and that the force is \"more ready than ever, finger on the trigger\".<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//21//irans-foreign-minister-issues-most-direct-threat-yet-to-us-as-protester-death-toll-rises/">Iran's foreign minister also issued a warning<\/a> against the United States earlier last week, the most direct threat yet, warning that the Islamic Republic will be \"firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack\".<\/p>\n<p>\"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,\" Araghchi wrote in an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal, referring to the 12-day conflict with Israel in June.<\/p>\n<p>\"This isn't a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.\"<\/p>\n<p>The latest escalation of the tension between Tehran and Washington comes amid Iran's on-going crackdown on nationwide protests that began on 28 December. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll rose to at least 5,002, activists on Friday. It also says more than 41,280 people have been arrested.<\/p>\n<p>Many more are feared to be dead as Iran remains under an internet blackout that has lasted more than two weeks, severely restricting the flow of information.<\/p>\n<p>The demonstrations began on 28 December initially over the collapse of the rial currency, but morphed into wider discontent with the country's government.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769398781,"updatedAt":1769417600,"publishedAt":1769402147,"firstPublishedAt":1769402147,"lastPublishedAt":1769402147,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_05c647d7-c093-5d26-9208-56b02105ab68-9625609.jpg","altText":"A billboard with a damaged aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets, strewn bodies, and trails of blood in Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25, 2026.","caption":"A billboard with a damaged aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets, strewn bodies, and trails of blood in Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25, 2026.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/56\/09\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d1372226-638e-5f8e-9e61-31ad5475695e-9625609.jpg","altText":"A billboard with a damaged aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets, strewn bodies, and trails of blood in Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25, 2026.","caption":"A billboard with a damaged aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets, strewn bodies, and trails of blood in Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25, 2026.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3110,"urlSafeValue":"dom","title":"Evelyn Ann-Marie Dom","twitter":"@evelyn_dom"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":13363,"slug":"united-states","urlSafeValue":"united-states","title":"United States ","titleRaw":"United States "},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":30620,"slug":"iran-protests-2026","urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","title":"Iran protests 2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026"},{"id":4056,"slug":"tehran","urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran","titleRaw":"Tehran"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2864503},{"id":2864150},{"id":2863925}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"bO3WSHAQMtU","dailymotionId":"x9yit78"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":14934841,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/82\/16\/00\/ED_PYR_3482160_20260126085321.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":21762333,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/82\/16\/00\/SHD_PYR_3482160_20260126085321.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":57987674,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/82\/16\/00\/FHD_PYR_3482160_20260126085321.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/26\/iranian-authorities-unveil-new-billboard-in-tehran-warning-us-against-taking-military-acti","lastModified":1769402147},{"id":2864503,"cid":9623423,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"TRUMP IRAN MASSIVE FLEET","daletPyramidId":3974648,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Death toll in Iran's protest crackdown reaches 5,002 as Trump says US 'armada' approaching","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Death toll in Iran's protest crackdown reaches 5,002, activists say ","titleListing2":"Death toll in Iran's protest crackdown reaches 5,002 as Trump says US 'armada' approaching","leadin":"The US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships.","summary":"The US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships.","keySentence":"","url":"death-toll-in-irans-protest-crackdown-reaches-5002-as-trump-says-us-armada-approaching","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/23\/death-toll-in-irans-protest-crackdown-reaches-5002-as-trump-says-us-armada-approaching","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The death toll in Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests has reached at least 5,002, activists said on Friday, warning many more were feared dead as the\u00a0most comprehensive internet blackout\u00a0in the country's history passed the two-week mark.\n\nThe US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency\u00a0offered the death toll, saying 4,716 were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated, 43 were children and 40 were civilians not taking part in the protests.\n\nIt added that more than 26,800 people had been detained in a widening arrest campaign by authorities.\n\nThe group's figures have been accurate in previous unrest in Iran and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths. That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.\n\nIran's government offered its first official death toll on Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began on 28 December were civilians and security forces, with the rest being \"terrorists.\"\n\nIran's theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.\n\nIran has also reportedly limited journalists\u2019 ability locally to report on the aftermath of the protests, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as \"rioters\" motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.\n\nThe challenge in getting information out of Iran persists due to authorities cutting off access to the internet on 8 January, even as tensions rise between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East, a force US President Donald Trump likened to an \"armada\" in comments to journalists late on Thursday.\n\nIran's top prosecutor on Friday called US President Donald Trump\u2019s repeated claims that he halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters there \"completely false.\"\n\n\"This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision,\" Mohammad Movahedi said.\n\nThe new toll comes as tensions remain high over Trump laying down two red lines over the protests: the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Tehran conducting mass executions.\n\nIran\u2019s attorney general and others have called some of those being held \"mohareb\" or or\u00a0\"enemies of God.\"\n\nThat charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.\n\nThe US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships travelling with it from the South China Sea.\n\nA US Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said Thursday that the Lincoln strike group is currently in the Indian Ocean.\n\nTrump said on Thursday aboard Air Force One that the US is moving the ships toward Iran \"just in case\" he wants to take action.\n\n\"We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won\u2019t have to use it,\" Trump said.\n\nTrump also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to Israel launching\u00a0a 12-day conflict\u00a0against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw US warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites.\n\nHe threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier US strikes against its uranium enrichment sites \"look like peanuts.\"\n\n\"They should have made a deal before we hit them,\" Trump added.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The death toll in Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests has reached at least 5,002, activists said on Friday, warning many more were feared dead as the most comprehensive internet blackout in the country's history passed the two-week mark.<\/p>\n<p>The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the death toll, saying 4,716 were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated, 43 were children and 40 were civilians not taking part in the protests.<\/p>\n<p>It added that more than 26,800 people had been detained in a widening arrest campaign by authorities.<\/p>\n<p>The group's figures have been accurate in previous unrest in Iran and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths. That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>Iran's government offered its first official death toll on Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began on 28 December were civilians and security forces, with the rest being \"terrorists.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//81//17//808x539_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 18 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/384x256_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/640x427_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/750x500_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/828x552_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/1080x720_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/1200x800_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/1920x1280_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 18 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Iran's theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.<\/p>\n<p>Iran has also reportedly limited journalists\u2019 ability locally to report on the aftermath of the protests, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as \"rioters\" motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.<\/p>\n<p>The challenge in getting information out of Iran persists due to authorities cutting off access to the internet on 8 January, even as tensions rise between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East, a force US President Donald Trump likened to an \"armada\" in comments to journalists late on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Iran's top prosecutor on Friday called US President Donald Trump\u2019s repeated claims that he halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters there \"completely false.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision,\" Mohammad Movahedi said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//34//23//808x539_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg/" alt=\"People walk at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/384x256_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/640x427_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/750x500_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/828x552_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/1080x720_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/1200x800_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/1920x1280_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People walk at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The new toll comes as tensions remain high over Trump laying down two red lines over the protests: the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Tehran conducting mass executions.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s attorney general and others have called some of those being held \"mohareb\" or or \"enemies of God.\"<\/p>\n<p>That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.<\/p>\n<p>The US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships travelling with it from the South China Sea.<\/p>\n<p>A US Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said Thursday that the Lincoln strike group is currently in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said on Thursday aboard Air Force One that the US is moving the ships toward Iran \"just in case\" he wants to take action.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//34//23//808x539_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg/" alt=\"US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos, 22 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/384x256_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/640x427_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/750x500_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/828x552_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/1080x720_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/1200x800_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/1920x1280_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos, 22 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won\u2019t have to use it,\" Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>Trump also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to Israel launching a 12-day conflict against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw US warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites.<\/p>\n<p>He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier US strikes against its uranium enrichment sites \"look like peanuts.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"They should have made a deal before we hit them,\" Trump added.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769152668,"updatedAt":1769174116,"publishedAt":1769160029,"firstPublishedAt":1769160029,"lastPublishedAt":1769174115,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"A demonstrator lights a cigarette with a burning poster depicting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in Holon, 14 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"caption":"A demonstrator lights a cigarette with a burning poster depicting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in Holon, 14 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_39db419d-f13d-5cc2-8d42-2b875e93ac7f-9623423.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":911},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"People walk at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"People walk at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8db4379d-50cf-5a91-bebc-da71a5f8c06e-9623423.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos, 22 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos, 22 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/34\/23\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c3358228-ba1c-5dd8-acb2-61d821fd32ca-9623423.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 18 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 18 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3e07946c-adc6-5c58-8469-510dafa3d064-9618117.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","twitter":null,"id":2972,"title":"Gavin Blackburn"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026","id":30620,"title":"Iran protests 2026","slug":"iran-protests-2026"},{"urlSafeValue":"tehran","titleRaw":"Tehran","id":4056,"title":"Tehran","slug":"tehran"},{"urlSafeValue":"economy","titleRaw":"Economy","id":572,"title":"Economy","slug":"economy"},{"urlSafeValue":"depreciation-de-la-monnaie","titleRaw":"currency depreciation","id":28344,"title":"currency depreciation","slug":"depreciation-de-la-monnaie"},{"urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump","id":11900,"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump"}],"widgets":[{"count":3,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2864150},{"id":2863925},{"id":2863545}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"N6Oypw16cKo","dailymotionId":"x9ycwu2"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":91920,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":16545342,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/67\/95\/00\/ED_PYR_3467950_20260123115525.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":91920,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":24158622,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/67\/95\/00\/SHD_PYR_3467950_20260123115525.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":91920,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":72610714,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/67\/95\/00\/FHD_PYR_3467950_20260123115525.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/23\/death-toll-in-irans-protest-crackdown-reaches-5002-as-trump-says-us-armada-approaching","lastModified":1769174115},{"id":2864150,"cid":9621660,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN GOVERNMENT ISSUES DEATH TOLL","daletPyramidId":3958540,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran offers first government-issued death toll from security crackdown on protesters","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran offers first government-issued death toll from protest crackdown","titleListing2":"Iran offers first government-issued death toll from security crackdown on protesters","leadin":"State television carried statements by the Interior Ministry and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, an official body providing services to families of those killed in wars, saying 3,117 people were killed.","summary":"State television carried statements by the Interior Ministry and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, an official body providing services to families of those killed in wars, saying 3,117 people were killed.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-offers-first-government-issued-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-protesters","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/22\/iran-offers-first-government-issued-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-protesters","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iran offered its first government-issued death toll late on Wednesday following\u00a0a crackdown on nationwide protests, giving a far lower figure than activists abroad as the country\u2019s theocracy tries to reassert control after unrest recalling the chaos surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution.\n\nState television carried statements by the Interior Ministry and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, an official body providing services to families of those killed in wars, saying 3,117 people were killed.\n\nIt added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began on 28 December were civilians and security forces.\n\nIt did not elaborate on the rest. Iran's government in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.\n\nThe US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the death toll early on Thursday was at least 4,902, with many more feared dead.\n\nThe human rights group has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.\n\nOther groups similarly have offered higher numbers than the Iranian government tally.\n\nThe Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part due to authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country.\n\nIran has also reportedly limited journalists' ability locally to report on the aftermath of the protests, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as \"rioters\" motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.\n\nNearly 26,500 people have also been arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.\n\nComments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained\u00a0being put to death in Iran, one of the world's top executioners.\n\nWarning from Araghchi\n\nMeanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued his most-direct threat yet to the United States on Wednesday, warning the Islamic Republic will be \u201cfiring back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack.\u201d\n\n\"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,\" Araghchi wrote in the Wall Street Journal, referring to\u00a0the 12-day conflict with Israel last June.\n\n\"This isn\u2019t a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.\"\n\nThe comments came as Araghchi saw his\u00a0invitation to the World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded\u00a0over the killings and as a US aircraft carrier group moved west toward the Middle East from Asia.\n\nThe USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been in the South China Sea in recent days, had passed through the Strait of Malacca, a key waterway connecting the sea and Indian Ocean, by Tuesday, ship-tracking data showed.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iran offered its first government-issued death toll late on Wednesday following a crackdown on nationwide protests, giving a far lower figure than activists abroad as the country\u2019s theocracy tries to reassert control after unrest recalling the chaos surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>State television carried statements by the Interior Ministry and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, an official body providing services to families of those killed in wars, saying 3,117 people were killed.<\/p>\n<p>It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began on 28 December were civilians and security forces.<\/p>\n<p>It did not elaborate on the rest. Iran's government in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.<\/p>\n<p>The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the death toll early on Thursday was at least 4,902, with many more feared dead.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//39//87//808x539_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg/" alt=\"A fruit seller waits for customer at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/384x256_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/640x427_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/750x500_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/828x552_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1080x720_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1200x800_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1920x1280_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A fruit seller waits for customer at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The human rights group has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.<\/p>\n<p>Other groups similarly have offered higher numbers than the Iranian government tally.<\/p>\n<p>The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part due to authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country.<\/p>\n<p>Iran has also reportedly limited journalists' ability locally to report on the aftermath of the protests, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as \"rioters\" motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 26,500 people have also been arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.<\/p>\n<p>Comments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained being put to death in Iran, one of the world's top executioners.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//39//87//808x539_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg/" alt=\"People conduct their business at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/384x256_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/640x427_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/750x500_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/828x552_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1080x720_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1200x800_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/1920x1280_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People conduct their business at Tehran&#x27;s historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Warning from Araghchi<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued his most-direct threat yet to the United States on Wednesday, warning the Islamic Republic will be \u201cfiring back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,\" Araghchi wrote in the Wall Street Journal, referring to the 12-day conflict with Israel last June.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//05//00//808x539_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg/" alt=\"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1920x1280_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"This isn\u2019t a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.\"<\/p>\n<p>The comments came as Araghchi saw his invitation to the World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded over the killings and as a US aircraft carrier group moved west toward the Middle East from Asia.<\/p>\n<p>The USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been in the South China Sea in recent days, had passed through the Strait of Malacca, a key waterway connecting the sea and Indian Ocean, by Tuesday, ship-tracking data showed.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769053436,"updatedAt":1769086702,"publishedAt":1769054785,"firstPublishedAt":1769054785,"lastPublishedAt":1769086701,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP","altText":"A defaced poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed by a demonstrator on a gate of Iran's embassy in Santiago, 20 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"caption":"A defaced poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed by a demonstrator on a gate of Iran's embassy in Santiago, 20 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/16\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_dbc6f089-457a-5524-a60e-4ca9f85e312e-9621660.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":911},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"A fruit seller waits for customer at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"A fruit seller waits for customer at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ca69d722-e4a7-5833-a1ba-17684f607ed6-9613987.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"People conduct their business at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"People conduct their business at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, 20 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/39\/87\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7a678543-ecdd-58d2-a4e3-d30ba8e0f01a-9613987.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"emma.de-ruiter@euronews.com","twitter":null,"id":3513,"title":"Emma De Ruiter"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran-protests-2026","titleRaw":"Iran protests 2026","id":30620,"title":"Iran protests 2026","slug":"iran-protests-2026"},{"urlSafeValue":"ali-khamenei","titleRaw":"Ali Khamenei","id":9899,"title":"Ali Khamenei","slug":"ali-khamenei"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"}],"widgets":[{"count":3,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2863925},{"id":2863545},{"id":2863422}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/22\/iran-offers-first-government-issued-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-protesters","lastModified":1769086701},{"id":2863306,"cid":9617633,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ITW MAHMOUD MORADKHANI","daletPyramidId":3923325,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Ali Khamenei will resist 'to the last drop of blood,' his nephew tells Euronews","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Ali Khamenei will resist 'to the last drop of blood,' his nephew says","titleListing2":"Ali Khamenei will resist 'to the last drop of blood,' his nephew says","leadin":"Exiled in France since 1986, Mahmoud Moradkhani is a doctor and an opponent of the Iranian regime. The nephew of Iran's ayatollah tells Euronews that the security crackdown will not end the demonstrations.","summary":"Exiled in France since 1986, Mahmoud Moradkhani is a doctor and an opponent of the Iranian regime. The nephew of Iran's ayatollah tells Euronews that the security crackdown will not end the demonstrations.","keySentence":"","url":"ali-khamenei-will-resist-to-the-last-drop-of-blood-his-nephew-tells-euronews","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/21\/ali-khamenei-will-resist-to-the-last-drop-of-blood-his-nephew-tells-euronews","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"At a time when Iran has violently suppressed vast protests in the country, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's nephew tells Euronews that his uncle will resist \"until the last drop of blood.\"\n\nNow an ENT doctor in northern France, Mahmoud Moradkhani is a long-standing opponent of the Iranian regime.\n\nHe fled Iran at the age of 22 via Iraq and arrived in France in 1986, seven years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.\n\nHe says he hopes his uncle will one day be arrested and put on trial.\n\n\"I don't think he'll give up. Ali Khamenei is one of those dictators like Ceau\u0219escu. They will stay until the last minute. They will believe in their truth, their words. They cannot accept anything else and they will resist to the last drop of blood\", the 62-year-old doctor says.\n\nUnprecedented repression\n\nKhamenei said on Saturday that the protests had left \"several thousand\" people dead and blamed the United States.\n\nIt was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties.\n\nThe death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said.\n\nThe agency has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.\n\nMahmoud Moradkhani believes that the true death toll is much higher.\n\n\"The regime really sensed a danger this time and wanted to be much more violent to calm the population,\" he says, adding that the majority of Iranians will \"never accept the regime.\"\n\nThe NGO Iran Human Rights reports that the security forces used heavy weapons, including DShK machine guns, against the demonstrators.\n\nThe doctor believes that the crackdown will not sound the death knell for the demonstrations.\n\n\"The crackdown is a way of temporarily calming things down. We've seen this in previous years, on several occasions, and of course the number of people killed meant that people stayed at home. But it's a fire under the ashes and one of these days, certainly not very far away, they're going to wake up, the regime will still be in danger and challenged by the people,\" he explains.\n\nHe regrets that the Iranian opposition is not more organised. \"I think that taking to the streets, street demonstrations, should be the last stage of a revolution. And the revolution must be more carefully thought out, more programmed, prepared in advance,\" he says.\n\nMoradkhani believes that the regime will collapse of its own accord on the death of the Supreme Leader because of internal rivalries. He prefers this scenario to outside intervention, which he believes could lead to anarchy and terrorism.\n\nSense of abandonment\n\nIn regular contact with his home country, Moradkhani thinks some demonstrators feel betrayed by US President Donald Trump, who initially supported them.\n\n\"The demonstrators, the Iranians, believed that Trump would do something and help them militarily. After what happened in Venezuela, there was hope,\" he says, while making it clear that he disagrees with the US government's policy.\n\nHe expects the Europeans to sever their diplomatic ties with the regime and declare the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation.\n\n\"If we help the Iranian people diplomatically and politically, if we succeed in overthrowing this regime, we will see that afterwards things will be much clearer and much more stable for the region and for the world,\" Moradkhani says, adding that he would like to see a diplomatic transition and the establishment of a republic in Iran.\n\nFor the time being, while some observers claim that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wants to appoint his son Mojtaba as his successor, Mahmoud Moradkhani believes that the Iranian Supreme leader has not prepared his succession and is \"not yet thinking about his death.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>At a time when Iran has violently suppressed vast protests in the country, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's nephew tells Euronews that his uncle will resist \"until the last drop of blood.\"<\/p>\n<p>Now an ENT doctor in northern France, Mahmoud Moradkhani is a long-standing opponent of the Iranian regime. <\/p>\n<p>He fled Iran at the age of 22 via Iraq and arrived in France in 1986, seven years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>He says he hopes his uncle will one day be arrested and put on trial.<\/p>\n<p>**\"**I don't think he'll give up. Ali Khamenei is one of those dictators like Ceau\u0219escu. They will stay until the last minute. They will believe in their truth, their words. They cannot accept anything else and they will resist to the last drop of blood\", the 62-year-old doctor says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6525\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x528_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x251_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x418_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x489_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x540_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x705_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x783_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1253_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Unprecedented repression<\/h2>\n<p>Khamenei said on Saturday that the protests had left \"several thousand\" people dead and blamed the United States.<\/p>\n<p>It was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties.<\/p>\n<p>The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.en-hrana.org///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Human Rights Activists News Agency<\/strong><\/a> said.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.658\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//16//07//808x532_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg/" alt=\"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/384x253_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/640x421_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/750x494_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/828x545_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/1080x711_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/1200x790_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/1920x1263_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Mahmoud Moradkhani believes that the true death toll is much higher. <\/p>\n<p>\"The regime really sensed a danger this time and wanted to be much more violent to calm the population,\" he says, adding that the majority of Iranians will \"never accept the regime.\"<\/p>\n<p>The NGO Iran Human Rights reports that the security forces used heavy weapons, including DShK machine guns, against the demonstrators.<\/p>\n<p>The doctor believes that the crackdown will not sound the death knell for the demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>\"The crackdown is a way of temporarily calming things down. We've seen this in previous years, on several occasions, and of course the number of people killed meant that people stayed at home. But it's a fire under the ashes and one of these days, certainly not very far away, they're going to wake up, the regime will still be in danger and challenged by the people,\"he explains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6685\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//16//07//808x539_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg/" alt=\"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/384x257_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/640x428_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/750x501_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/828x554_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/1080x722_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/1200x802_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/1920x1284_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>He regrets that the Iranian opposition is not more organised. \"I think that taking to the streets, street demonstrations, should be the last stage of a revolution. And the revolution must be more carefully thought out, more programmed, prepared in advance,\" he says.<\/p>\n<p>Moradkhani believes that the regime will collapse of its own accord on the death of the Supreme Leader because of internal rivalries. He prefers this scenario to outside intervention, which he believes could lead to anarchy and terrorism.<\/p>\n<h2>Sense of abandonment<\/h2>\n<p>In regular contact with his home country, Moradkhani thinks some demonstrators feel betrayed by US President Donald Trump, who initially supported them. <\/p>\n<p>\"The demonstrators, the Iranians, believed that Trump would do something and help them militarily. After what happened in Venezuela, there was hope,\" he says, while making it clear that he disagrees with the US government's policy.<\/p>\n<p>He expects the Europeans to sever their diplomatic ties with the regime and declare the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//60//05//54//808x539_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg/" alt=\"People wave Iranian flags at a ceremony in Tehran, 1 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/384x256_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/640x427_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/750x500_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/828x552_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/1080x720_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/1200x800_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/1920x1280_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People wave Iranian flags at a ceremony in Tehran, 1 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"If we help the Iranian people diplomatically and politically, if we succeed in overthrowing this regime, we will see that afterwards things will be much clearer and much more stable for the region and for the world,\" Moradkhani says, adding that he would like to see a diplomatic transition and the establishment of a republic in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>For the time being, while some observers claim that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wants to appoint his son Mojtaba as his successor, Mahmoud Moradkhani believes that the Iranian Supreme leader has not prepared his succession and is \"not yet thinking about his death.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768812630,"updatedAt":1769016569,"publishedAt":1768995075,"firstPublishedAt":1768995075,"lastPublishedAt":1769016568,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"Mahmoud Moradkhani, 62, an ENT doctor near Lille and nephew of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on 19 January 2026 in Croix. ","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Mahmoud Moradkhani, 62, an ENT doctor near Lille and nephew of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on 19 January 2026 in Croix. ","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_39304801-3d86-59d6-a268-dd5f33bb2ddf-9617633.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1305},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5f9e81ed-5091-5651-96d0-b98e848d5279-9611607.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1316},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/16\/07\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_64d1bd89-75be-51bd-ab0b-548e9920b0d6-9611607.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1337},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"People wave Iranian flags at a ceremony in Tehran, 1 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"People wave Iranian flags at a ceremony in Tehran, 1 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/60\/05\/54\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_52e2fe20-e03e-56d6-b5ec-7d64b1d7061f-9600554.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"hess","twitter":null,"id":2862,"title":"Amandine Hess"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"protest","titleRaw":"Protest","id":4378,"title":"Protest","slug":"protest"},{"urlSafeValue":"protests-in-iran","titleRaw":"Protests in Iran","id":9321,"title":"Protests in Iran","slug":"protests-in-iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"iranian-politics","titleRaw":"Iranian politics","id":9349,"title":"Iranian politics","slug":"iranian-politics"},{"urlSafeValue":"ali-khamenei","titleRaw":"Ali Khamenei","id":9899,"title":"Ali Khamenei","slug":"ali-khamenei"}],"widgets":[{"count":4,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2863925},{"id":2863545},{"id":2863422}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"ELaIEYB4N2o","dailymotionId":"x9y8gh2"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":561240,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":75602689,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/51\/34\/02\/ED_PYR_3451342_20260121171044.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":561240,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":118274834,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/51\/34\/02\/SHD_PYR_3451342_20260121171044.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":561240,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":428974580,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/51\/34\/02\/FHD_PYR_3451342_20260121171044.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"fr","storyId":9617638,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/21\/ali-khamenei-will-resist-to-the-last-drop-of-blood-his-nephew-tells-euronews","lastModified":1769016568},{"id":2863925,"cid":9620500,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN US THREAT","daletPyramidId":3948374,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran's foreign minister issues most direct threat yet to US as protester death toll rises","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran issues most direct threat yet to US as protester death toll rises","titleListing2":"Iran's foreign minister issues most direct threat yet to US as protester death toll rises","leadin":"The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said.","summary":"The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said.","keySentence":"","url":"irans-foreign-minister-issues-most-direct-threat-yet-to-us-as-protester-death-toll-rises","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/21\/irans-foreign-minister-issues-most-direct-threat-yet-to-us-as-protester-death-toll-rises","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iran's foreign minister issued the most direct threat yet against the United States on Wednesday after Tehran's\u00a0bloody crackdown on protesters, warning the Islamic Republic will be \"firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack.\"\n\nThe comments by Abbas Araghchi, who saw his\u00a0invitation to this week\u2019s World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded\u00a0over the killings, comes as an American aircraft carrier group moves westward toward the Middle East.\n\nAraghchi made the threat in an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal in which he contended \"the violent phase of the unrest lasted less than 72 hours\" and sought again to blame armed demonstrators for the violence.\n\nVideos that have emerged from Iran despite an internet shutdown appear to show security forces repeatedly using live fire to target apparently unarmed protesters, something unaddressed by Araghchi.\n\nThe demonstrations began on 28 December initially over the collapse of the rial currency, but morphed into wider discontent with the country's government.\n\n\"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,\" Araghchi wrote, referring to\u00a0the 12-day conflict with Israel in June.\n\n\"This isn't a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.\"\n\nHe added: \"An all-out confrontation will certainly be ferocious and drag on far, far longer than the fantasy timelines that Israel and its proxies are trying to peddle to the White House. It will certainly engulf the wider region and have an impact on ordinary people around the globe.\"\n\nAraghchi's comments likely refer to Iran's short- and medium-range missiles. The Islamic Republic relied on ballistic missiles to target Israel in last year\u2019s conflict and left its stockpile of shorter-range missiles unused, something that could be fired to target American bases and interests in the Persian Gulf.\n\nAlready, there have been some restrictions on US diplomats traveling to American bases in both Kuwait and Qatar.\n\nMiddle East nations, particularly diplomats from Gulf Arab countries, had lobbied Trump not to attack. Last week,\u00a0Iran shut its airspace in likely anticipation of a strike.\n\nThe USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been in the South China Sea in recent days, had passed through the Strait of Malacca, a key waterway connecting the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, by Tuesday, ship-tracking data showed.\n\nA US Navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft carrier and three accompanying destroyers were heading west.\n\nWhile naval and other defence officials stopped short of saying the carrier strike group was headed to the Middle East, its current heading and location in the Indian Ocean means it is only days away from moving into the region.\n\nMeanwhile, US military images released in recent days showed F-15E Strike Eagles arriving in the Middle East and forces in the region moving a HIMARS missile system, the type used with great success by Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in the country in 2022.\n\nProtest death toll rises\n\nThe death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said.\n\nThe agency has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.\n\nThe death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought the republic into being.\n\nAlthough there have been no protests for days, there are fears the death toll could increase significantly as information gradually emerges from a country still under a\u00a0government-imposed internet shutdown since 8 January.\n\nIran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that the protests had left \"several thousand\" people dead and blamed the United States.\n\nIt was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties.\n\nMore than 26,300 people have been arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.\n\nComments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained\u00a0being executed.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iran's foreign minister issued the most direct threat yet against the United States on Wednesday after Tehran's bloody crackdown on protesters, warning the Islamic Republic will be \"firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack.\"<\/p>\n<p>The comments by Abbas Araghchi, who saw his invitation to this week\u2019s World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded over the killings, comes as an American aircraft carrier group moves westward toward the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi made the threat in an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal in which he contended \"the violent phase of the unrest lasted less than 72 hours\" and sought again to blame armed demonstrators for the violence.<\/p>\n<p>Videos that have emerged from Iran despite an internet shutdown appear to show security forces repeatedly using live fire to target apparently unarmed protesters, something unaddressed by Araghchi.<\/p>\n<p>The demonstrations began on 28 December initially over the collapse of the rial currency, but morphed into wider discontent with the country's government.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//05//00//808x539_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg/" alt=\"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1920x1280_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,\" Araghchi wrote, referring to the 12-day conflict with Israel in June.<\/p>\n<p>\"This isn't a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.\"<\/p>\n<p>He added: \"An all-out confrontation will certainly be ferocious and drag on far, far longer than the fantasy timelines that Israel and its proxies are trying to peddle to the White House. It will certainly engulf the wider region and have an impact on ordinary people around the globe.\"<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi's comments likely refer to Iran's short- and medium-range missiles. The Islamic Republic relied on ballistic missiles to target Israel in last year\u2019s conflict and left its stockpile of shorter-range missiles unused, something that could be fired to target American bases and interests in the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n<p>Already, there have been some restrictions on US diplomats traveling to American bases in both Kuwait and Qatar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//88//71//808x539_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg/" alt=\"This frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in Tehran, 9 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/384x256_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/640x427_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/750x500_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/828x552_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/1080x720_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/1200x800_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/1920x1280_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">This frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in Tehran, 9 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Middle East nations, particularly diplomats from Gulf Arab countries, had lobbied Trump not to attack. Last week, Iran shut its airspace in likely anticipation of a strike.<\/p>\n<p>The USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been in the South China Sea in recent days, had passed through the Strait of Malacca, a key waterway connecting the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, by Tuesday, ship-tracking data showed.<\/p>\n<p>A US Navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft carrier and three accompanying destroyers were heading west.<\/p>\n<p>While naval and other defence officials stopped short of saying the carrier strike group was headed to the Middle East, its current heading and location in the Indian Ocean means it is only days away from moving into the region.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, US military images released in recent days showed F-15E Strike Eagles arriving in the Middle East and forces in the region moving a HIMARS missile system, the type used with great success by Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in the country in 2022.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//05//00//808x539_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg/" alt=\"The USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships sail in formation in the Sea of Japan, 13 April, 2022 \" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/1920x1280_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships sail in formation in the Sea of Japan, 13 April, 2022 <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><strong>Protest death toll rises<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.en-hrana.org///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Human Rights Activists News Agency<\/strong><\/a> said.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.<\/p>\n<p>The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought the republic into being.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6525\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x528_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x251_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x418_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x489_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x540_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x705_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x783_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1253_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Although there have been no protests for days, there are fears the death toll could increase significantly as information gradually emerges from a country still under a government-imposed internet shutdown since 8 January.<\/p>\n<p>Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that the protests had left \"several thousand\" people dead and blamed the United States.<\/p>\n<p>It was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties.<\/p>\n<p>More than 26,300 people have been arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.<\/p>\n<p>Comments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained being executed.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768986689,"updatedAt":1768988954,"publishedAt":1768988942,"firstPublishedAt":1768988942,"lastPublishedAt":1768988942,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_19cd84b8-0008-5fab-96ce-420c3f7e0e64-9620500.jpg","altText":"A man burns a photograph of US President Donald Trump during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","caption":"A man burns a photograph of US President Donald Trump during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9e80a079-678d-58f0-95e9-0f77fa53648e-9620500.jpg","altText":"The USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships sail in formation in the Sea of Japan, 13 April, 2022 ","caption":"The USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships sail in formation in the Sea of Japan, 13 April, 2022 ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/05\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ceb4b8fe-88fd-565e-9e54-67b8b56cd7e3-9620500.jpg","altText":"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026","caption":"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a press briefing in Tehran, 18 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg","altText":"This frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","caption":"This frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in Tehran, 9 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg","altText":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","caption":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1305}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"},{"id":13363,"slug":"united-states","urlSafeValue":"united-states","title":"United States ","titleRaw":"United States "},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":30535,"slug":"israel-iran-conflict","urlSafeValue":"israel-iran-conflict","title":"Israel Iran conflict","titleRaw":"Israel Iran conflict"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":4}],"related":[{"id":2863545},{"id":2862421},{"id":2863581}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/21\/irans-foreign-minister-issues-most-direct-threat-yet-to-us-as-protester-death-toll-rises","lastModified":1768988942},{"id":2863581,"cid":9618871,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN DEATH TOLL EXCEEDS 4K","daletPyramidId":3933594,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Activists say death toll from security crackdown on Iranian protesters exceeds 4,000","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Activists say deaths from crackdown on Iran protesters exceeds 4,000","titleListing2":"Activists say death toll from security crackdown on Iranian protesters exceeds 4,000","leadin":"The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency fear the number will grow as information leaks out of a country still gripped by the government's decision to shut down the internet.","summary":"The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency fear the number will grow as information leaks out of a country still gripped by the government's decision to shut down the internet.","keySentence":"","url":"activists-say-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-iranian-protesters-exceeds-4000","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/20\/activists-say-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-iranian-protesters-exceeds-4000","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The number of deaths in a crackdown by authorities during Iran's ongoing nationwide anti-government protests now exceeds 4,000, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.\n\nThe rights group revised the death toll to at least 4,029 on Tuesday, adding that 3,786 were demonstrators, 180 were security forces, 28 were children and 35 were people not demonstrating.\n\nThe agency has been accurate throughout the years of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.\n\nThey fear the number will grow far higher as information leaks out of the country, still gripped by the government's decision to shut down the internet.\n\nIranian officials have not given a clear death toll, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that the protests had left \"several thousand\" people dead, blaming the United States.\n\nThe Human Rights Activists News Agency also reported over 26,000 people had been arrested. Comments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained being put to death.\n\nTensions with US remain high\n\nIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had his invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, withdrawn over the killings.\n\n\"Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year,\" the forum said.\n\nAraghchi denounced the decision, saying the forum \"cancelled my appearance in Davos on the basis of lies and political pressure from Israel and its US-based proxies and apologists.\"\n\nThe Munich Security Conference also withdrew its invitation for Iranian government officials over the crackdown.\n\nTensions remain high between the United States and Iran over the crackdown after President Donald Trump drew two red lines \u2014 the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations.\n\nTrump has repeatedly vowed to intervene should his administration assess that Iran has crossed those lines.\n\nA US aircraft carrier, which days earlier had been in the South China Sea, passed Singapore overnight to enter the Strait of Malacca, putting it on a route that could bring it to the Middle East, according to US media reports.\n\nShip-tracking data show the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, as well as other American military vessels were travelling through the strait.\n\nIt would still need several days of travel before its aircraft would be in range of the region, which has been without an aircraft carrier group or an amphibious ready group, likely complicating any discussion of a military operation targeting Iran given Gulf Arab states' broad opposition to such an attack.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The number of deaths in a crackdown by authorities during Iran's ongoing nationwide anti-government protests now exceeds 4,000, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.<\/p>\n<p>The rights group revised the death toll to at least 4,029 on Tuesday, adding that 3,786 were demonstrators, 180 were security forces, 28 were children and 35 were people not demonstrating.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has been accurate throughout the years of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.<\/p>\n<p>They fear the number will grow far higher as information leaks out of the country, still gripped by the government's decision to shut down the internet.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian officials have not given a clear death toll, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that the protests had left \"several thousand\" people dead, blaming the United States.<\/p>\n<p>The Human Rights Activists News Agency also reported over 26,000 people had been arrested. Comments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained being put to death.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//88//71//808x539_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire at a protest in Iran, 9 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/384x256_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/640x427_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/750x500_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/828x552_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/1080x720_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/1200x800_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/1920x1280_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire at a protest in Iran, 9 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Tensions with US remain high<\/h2>\n<p>Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had his invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, withdrawn over the killings.<\/p>\n<p>\"Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year,\" the forum said.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi denounced the decision, saying the forum \"cancelled my appearance in Davos on the basis of lies and political pressure from Israel and its US-based proxies and apologists.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x539_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Munich Security Conference also withdrew its invitation for Iranian government officials over the crackdown.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions remain high between the United States and Iran over the crackdown after President Donald Trump drew two red lines \u2014 the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations. <\/p>\n<p>Trump has repeatedly vowed to intervene should his administration assess that Iran has crossed those lines.<\/p>\n<p>A US aircraft carrier, which days earlier had been in the South China Sea, passed Singapore overnight to enter the Strait of Malacca, putting it on a route that could bring it to the Middle East, according to US media reports.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//15//iran-warns-qatar-and-saudi-arabia-it-will-strike-us-targets-if-attacked-expert-says/">Iran warns Qatar and Saudi Arabia it will strike US targets if attacked, expert says<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//16//washington-warns-tehran-all-options-are-on-the-table-in-emergency-un-security-council-sess/">Washington warns Tehran 'all options are on the table' in emergency UN Security Council session<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Ship-tracking data show the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, as well as other American military vessels were travelling through the strait. <\/p>\n<p>It would still need several days of travel before its aircraft would be in range of the region, which has been without an aircraft carrier group or an amphibious ready group, likely complicating any discussion of a military operation targeting Iran given Gulf Arab states' broad opposition to such an attack.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768889990,"updatedAt":1768907216,"publishedAt":1768896521,"firstPublishedAt":1768896521,"lastPublishedAt":1768896521,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6e6ad278-9283-563c-95f2-13a3fc1efe5d-9618871.jpg","altText":"In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.","caption":"In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"UGC via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/88\/71\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_69918752-0eb9-50ae-a236-72442d112df6-9618871.jpg","altText":"Protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire at a protest in Iran, 9 January, 2026","caption":"Protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire at a protest in Iran, 9 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg","altText":"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","caption":"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3513,"urlSafeValue":"emma.de-ruiter@euronews.com","title":"Emma De Ruiter","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"},{"id":9899,"slug":"ali-khamenei","urlSafeValue":"ali-khamenei","title":"Ali Khamenei","titleRaw":"Ali Khamenei"},{"id":28704,"slug":"blackout","urlSafeValue":"blackout","title":"blackout","titleRaw":"blackout"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2863422},{"id":2863353},{"id":2863328}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9y52zu"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12844763,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/34\/35\/06\/ED_PYR_3434356_20260120110656.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":18157685,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/34\/35\/06\/SHD_PYR_3434356_20260120110656.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":70000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":56033598,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/34\/35\/06\/FHD_PYR_3434356_20260120110656.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/20\/activists-say-death-toll-from-security-crackdown-on-iranian-protesters-exceeds-4000","lastModified":1768896521},{"id":2863422,"cid":9618117,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"UN IRAN EXECUTIONS","daletPyramidId":3926988,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Soaring executions in Iran suggest use as 'tool of state intimidation,' UN says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Rising executions in Iran suggest use as tool of intimidation, UN says","titleListing2":"Soaring executions in Iran suggest use as 'tool of state intimidation,' UN says","leadin":"At least 47% of executions carried out in Iran in 2025 had been related to drug offences, the UN human rights office said.","summary":"At least 47% of executions carried out in Iran in 2025 had been related to drug offences, the UN human rights office said.","keySentence":"","url":"soaring-executions-in-iran-suggest-use-as-tool-of-state-intimidation-un-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/19\/soaring-executions-in-iran-suggest-use-as-tool-of-state-intimidation-un-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iran appears to be using executions \"as a tool of state intimidation,\" the United Nations said on Monday, as it denounced a jump in capital punishment globally in 2025.\n\nThe Islamic republic reportedly executed 1,500 people last year, UN rights chief Volker T\u00fcrk said in a statement.\n\n\"The scale and pace of executions suggest a systematic use of capital punishment as a tool of state intimidation, with disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities and migrants,\" he warned.\n\nThe spike in executions in Iran, which according to rights groups is the world's most prolific executioner after China, had contributed to \"an alarming increase\" in the use of capital punishment worldwide last year, T\u00fcrk said.\n\nWhile the overall global trend continues to move towards universal abolition of the death penalty, Iran and a handful of other states such as Saudi Arabia and the United States saw executions surge.\n\nMany of those executions were \"for offences not meeting the 'most serious crimes' threshold required under international law,\" T\u00fcrk said, also criticising \"the continued execution of people convicted of crimes committed as children, as well as persistent secrecy around executions.\"\n\nThe sharp hike had especially been driven by a growing number of executions for drug-related offences not involving intentional killing.\n\n\"This is not only incompatible with international law but also ineffective in deterring crime,\" T\u00fcrk insisted.\n\nIn the case of Iran, at least 47% of executions in 2025 had been related to drug offences, the rights office said.\n\nThe percentage was even higher in Saudi Arabia, where 78% of the 356 people reportedly executed there last year were sentenced for drug-related crimes.\n\n\"At least two among those executed in Saudi Arabia were convicted of crimes committed as children, which raises serious questions with respect to children's rights in particular,\" T\u00fcrk said.\n\nIn the United States, meanwhile, 47 executions were carried out in 2025, the highest number in 16 years, the rights office said, stressing that the broadened use of gas asphyxiation for executions there raised \"serious concerns of torture or cruel punishment.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iran appears to be using executions \"as a tool of state intimidation,\" the United Nations said on Monday, as it denounced a jump in capital punishment globally in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The Islamic republic reportedly executed 1,500 people last year, UN rights chief Volker T\u00fcrk said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>\"The scale and pace of executions suggest a systematic use of capital punishment as a tool of state intimidation, with disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities and migrants,\" he warned.<\/p>\n<p>The spike in executions in Iran, which according to rights groups is the world's most prolific executioner after China, had contributed to \"an alarming increase\" in the use of capital punishment worldwide last year, T\u00fcrk said.<\/p>\n<p>While the overall global trend continues to move towards universal abolition of the death penalty, Iran and a handful of other states such as Saudi Arabia and the United States saw executions surge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//57//53//67//808x539_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg/" alt=\"UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T&#xFC;rk speaks during a press conference in Geneva, 12 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/384x256_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/640x427_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/750x500_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/828x552_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/1080x720_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/1200x800_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/1920x1280_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T&#xFC;rk speaks during a press conference in Geneva, 12 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Many of those executions were \"for offences not meeting the 'most serious crimes' threshold required under international law,\" T\u00fcrk said, also criticising \"the continued execution of people convicted of crimes committed as children, as well as persistent secrecy around executions.\"<\/p>\n<p>The sharp hike had especially been driven by a growing number of executions for drug-related offences not involving intentional killing.<\/p>\n<p>\"This is not only incompatible with international law but also ineffective in deterring crime,\" T\u00fcrk insisted.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of Iran, at least 47% of executions in 2025 had been related to drug offences, the rights office said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//19//iranian-foreign-minister-will-not-attend-davos-wef-confirms/">Iranian foreign minister will not attend Davos, WEF confirms<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//19//hackers-target-iran-state-tvs-satellite-transmission-to-broadcast-exiled-crown-prince/">Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The percentage was even higher in Saudi Arabia, where 78% of the 356 people reportedly executed there last year were sentenced for drug-related crimes.<\/p>\n<p>\"At least two among those executed in Saudi Arabia were convicted of crimes committed as children, which raises serious questions with respect to children's rights in particular,\" T\u00fcrk said.<\/p>\n<p>In the United States, meanwhile, 47 executions were carried out in 2025, the highest number in 16 years, the rights office said, stressing that the broadened use of gas asphyxiation for executions there raised \"serious concerns of torture or cruel punishment.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768827553,"updatedAt":1768828664,"publishedAt":1768828647,"firstPublishedAt":1768828647,"lastPublishedAt":1768828647,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/81\/17\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1d89dca6-ba40-52c3-a8d3-57397acc1117-9618117.jpg","altText":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 18 January, 2026","caption":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 18 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/53\/67\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4931c588-a9d0-5e95-8b29-a4775c50fecd-9575367.jpg","altText":"UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk speaks during a press conference in Geneva, 12 February, 2025","caption":"UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk speaks during a press conference in Geneva, 12 February, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":292,"slug":"united-nations","urlSafeValue":"united-nations","title":"United Nations","titleRaw":"United Nations"},{"id":8335,"slug":"execution","urlSafeValue":"execution","title":"Execution","titleRaw":"Execution"},{"id":379,"slug":"death-penalty","urlSafeValue":"death-penalty","title":"Death penalty","titleRaw":"Death penalty"},{"id":142,"slug":"human-rights","urlSafeValue":"human-rights","title":"Human Rights","titleRaw":"Human Rights"},{"id":4056,"slug":"tehran","urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran","titleRaw":"Tehran"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2811855},{"id":2830834},{"id":2733284}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AFP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/19\/soaring-executions-in-iran-suggest-use-as-tool-of-state-intimidation-un-says","lastModified":1768828647},{"id":2863328,"cid":9617690,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IRAN STATE TV HACK","daletPyramidId":3924108,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hackers target Iran state TV's broadcast to show exiled crown prince","titleListing2":"Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince","leadin":"The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.","summary":"The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.","keySentence":"","url":"hackers-target-iran-state-tvs-satellite-transmission-to-broadcast-exiled-crown-prince","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/19\/hackers-target-iran-state-tvs-satellite-transmission-to-broadcast-exiled-crown-prince","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country's exiled crown prince and calling on security forces to not \"point your weapons at the people,\" online video showed early on Monday, the latest disruption to follow\u00a0nationwide protests\u00a0in the country.\n\nThe footage aired on Sunday night across multiple channels broadcast by satellite from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the country's state broadcaster which has a monopoly on television and radio broadcasting.\n\nThe video aired two clips of\u00a0exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, then included footage of security forces and others in what appeared to be Iranian police uniforms.\n\nIt claimed without offering evidence others had \"laid down their weapons and swore an oath of allegiance to the people.\"\n\n\"This is a message to the army and security forces,\" one graphic read. \"Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.\"\n\nThe semi-official Fars news agency, believed to be close to the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, quoted a statement from the state broadcaster acknowledging that the signal in \u201csome areas of the country was momentarily disrupted by an unknown source.\u201d\n\nIt did not discuss what had been aired.\n\nA statement from Pahlavi's office acknowledged the disruption that showed the crown prince.\n\n\"I have a special message for the military. You are the national army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic army,\" Pahlavi said in the hacked broadcast. \"You have a duty to protect your own lives. You don\u2019t have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.\"\n\nSocial media footage shared abroad, possibly from those with Starlink satellites to get around the internet shutdown, showed the hack in progress across multiple channels. Pahlavi's campaign also shared the footage.\n\nSunday's hack isn't the first to see Iranian airwaves disrupted. In 1986, The Washington Post reported that the CIA supplied the prince\u2019s allies \u201ca miniaturised television transmitter for an 11-minute clandestine broadcast\u201d to Iran by Pahlavi that pirated the signal of two stations in the Islamic Republic.\n\nIn 2022, multiple channels aired footage showing leaders from\u00a0the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq\u00a0and a graphic calling for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader\u00a0Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.\n\nPahlavi\u2019s father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled Iran ahead of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pahlavi, the son, urged protesters onto the streets on 8 January as Iranian authorities shut down the internet and drastically intensified their crackdown.\n\nHow much support Pahlavi has inside of Iran remains an open question, though there have been pro-shah cries at the demonstrations.\n\nDeath toll from crackdown rises\n\nThe death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.\n\nThe US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency put the death toll Sunday to at least 3,919 people killed, warning it likely would go higher.\n\nThe agency has been accurate throughout the years of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.\n\nIranian officials have not given a clear death toll, although on Saturday, Khamenei said the\u00a0protests had left \"several thousand\" dead\u00a0and blamed the United States for the deaths.\n\nIt was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties from the wave of protests that began on 28 December over Iran\u2019s ailing economy after the rial slumped to a record low against the US dollar.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country's exiled crown prince and calling on security forces to not \"point your weapons at the people,\" online video showed early on Monday, the latest disruption to follow nationwide protests in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The footage aired on Sunday night across multiple channels broadcast by satellite from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the country's state broadcaster which has a monopoly on television and radio broadcasting.<\/p>\n<p>The video aired two clips of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, then included footage of security forces and others in what appeared to be Iranian police uniforms.<\/p>\n<p>It claimed without offering evidence others had \"laid down their weapons and swore an oath of allegiance to the people.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"This is a message to the army and security forces,\" one graphic read. \"Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x539_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi speaks during a news conference in Washington, 16 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi speaks during a news conference in Washington, 16 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The semi-official Fars news agency, believed to be close to the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, quoted a statement from the state broadcaster acknowledging that the signal in \u201csome areas of the country was momentarily disrupted by an unknown source.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It did not discuss what had been aired.<\/p>\n<p>A statement from Pahlavi's office acknowledged the disruption that showed the crown prince.<\/p>\n<p>\"I have a special message for the military. You are the national army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic army,\" Pahlavi said in the hacked broadcast. \"You have a duty to protect your own lives. You don\u2019t have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.\"<\/p>\n<p>Social media footage shared abroad, possibly from those with Starlink satellites to get around the internet shutdown, showed the hack in progress across multiple channels. Pahlavi's campaign also shared the footage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x539_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Sunday's hack isn't the first to see Iranian airwaves disrupted. In 1986, The Washington Post reported that the CIA supplied the prince\u2019s allies \u201ca miniaturised television transmitter for an 11-minute clandestine broadcast\u201d to Iran by Pahlavi that pirated the signal of two stations in the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, multiple channels aired footage showing leaders from the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq and a graphic calling for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.<\/p>\n<p>Pahlavi\u2019s father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled Iran ahead of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pahlavi, the son, urged protesters onto the streets on 8 January as Iranian authorities shut down the internet and drastically intensified their crackdown.<\/p>\n<p>How much support Pahlavi has inside of Iran remains an open question, though there have been pro-shah cries at the demonstrations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x539_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 19 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x256_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x427_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x500_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x552_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x720_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x800_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1280_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 19 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><strong>Death toll from crackdown rises<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>The US-based <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.en-hrana.org///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Human Rights Activists News Agency<\/strong><\/a> put the death toll Sunday to at least 3,919 people killed, warning it likely would go higher.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has been accurate throughout the years of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6525\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//76//90//808x528_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg/" alt=\"Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/384x251_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/640x418_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/750x489_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/828x540_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1080x705_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1200x783_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/1920x1253_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iran&#x2019;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Iranian officials have not given a clear death toll, although on Saturday, Khamenei said the protests had left \"several thousand\" dead and blamed the United States for the deaths.<\/p>\n<p>It was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties from the wave of protests that began on 28 December over Iran\u2019s ailing economy after the rial slumped to a record low against the US dollar.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768816529,"updatedAt":1768818065,"publishedAt":1768818052,"firstPublishedAt":1768818052,"lastPublishedAt":1768818052,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f687553b-0543-5def-b73c-89b2d1e73c95-9617690.jpg","altText":"A protester smokes a cigarette after lighting it off a burning poster of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration in Berlin, 14 January, 2026","caption":"A protester smokes a cigarette after lighting it off a burning poster of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration in Berlin, 14 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_65af5f58-85f6-5527-a7f1-f3c2eae89318-9617690.jpg","altText":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 19 January, 2026","caption":"Protesters participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government in Berlin, 19 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5905d026-9e1a-53da-a5c2-d213146e4558-9617690.jpg","altText":"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","caption":"People burn US and Israel flags during a rally in support of the Iranian government in Istanbul, 18 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2fe15349-89bb-5ced-b537-5431868d0565-9617690.jpg","altText":"Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi speaks during a news conference in Washington, 16 January, 2026","caption":"Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi speaks during a news conference in Washington, 16 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/76\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e782afe5-c111-57e8-8e10-538effab6713-9617690.jpg","altText":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","caption":"Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, 17 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1305}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":18414,"slug":"iranian-revolution-1979","urlSafeValue":"iranian-revolution-1979","title":"Iranian revolution 1979","titleRaw":"Iranian revolution 1979"},{"id":4828,"slug":"television","urlSafeValue":"television","title":"Television","titleRaw":"Television"},{"id":11240,"slug":"hacking","urlSafeValue":"hacking","title":"Hacking","titleRaw":"Hacking"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"},{"id":27256,"slug":"ayatollah-khomeini","urlSafeValue":"ayatollah-khomeini","title":"Ayatollah Khomeini ","titleRaw":"Ayatollah Khomeini "}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":4}],"related":[{"id":2863070},{"id":2862793},{"id":2862568}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":{"id":4056,"urlSafeValue":"tehran","title":"Tehran"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/19\/hackers-target-iran-state-tvs-satellite-transmission-to-broadcast-exiled-crown-prince","lastModified":1768818052},{"id":2863070,"cid":9616964,"versionId":4,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Iran crackdown witness","daletPyramidId":3917033,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'It's like zombies attacked us,' Iran protests eyewitness tells Euronews","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"'It's like zombies attacked us,' Iran protests eyewitness says","titleListing2":"\"It's like zombies have attacked us, we smell blood everywhere, we're devastated\" says eyewitness to Iranian protests","leadin":"Speaking to Euronews, eyewitnesses recall the scenes of suppression and recount their personal experience from violence witnessed, to being shot at and losing loved ones.","summary":"Speaking to Euronews, eyewitnesses recall the scenes of suppression and recount their personal experience from violence witnessed, to being shot at and losing loved ones.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-protest","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/18\/iran-protest","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iran has partially restored communications after a near-total blackout that began 7 January, allowing Iranians abroad brief contact with families following a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.\n\nThe government blocked domestic telephone lines and internet connections to the outside world as security forces clashed with protesters in major cities including Tehran.\n\nSome human rights groups and insiders in Iran estimate between 12,000 and 15,000 people have been killed in the protests.\n\nThe government has rejected those figures, saying they were grossly overinflated to \"dramatise\" the situation and fulfil political agendas.\n\nIran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged Saturday that several thousand people had been killed during the protests. News agencies quoting Iranian officials reported a minimum of 5,000 deaths.\n\nWhat are eyewitnesses saying?\n\nArham, an Iranian living in Europe who spoke to Euronews using a pseudonym, said his brother-in-law was shot by security forces with tear gas canisters while closing his shop accompanied by his child, though not participating in demonstrations.\n\nThe canisters hit him in the forehead and chest. He was taken to hospital for surgery and has not been discharged.\n\n\"During the protests, a close friend of mine who attended a protest rally in the Narmak area was shot, but we have no news from him and his family's search to find him has been fruitless,\" Arham said.\n\nIn a recorded voice note of a telephone conversation with his sister provided to Euronews, she said: \"All people are sad, as soon as you meet someone you have tears in your eyes, things are getting worse, people are apparently living normally but as if we were attacked by zombies.\"\n\nArham said that at the hospital where his brother-in-law was treated, \"in front of my eyes, three teenage girls aged 16-17 lost their lives to gunshot injuries.\" The hospital name was withheld.\n\nThe Islamic Republic is demanding large sums from families to hand over bodies for burial, Arham said. He and others are raising money to help a neighbour in Tehran pay for the return of their daughter's body.\n\nThe protests began on 9 December with Tehran shopkeepers striking and closing shops in protest at Iran's economic situation, after the rial plummeted to a record low and inflation remained above 40%.\n\nProtests quickly spread to other cities as anti-government demonstrations.\n\nKhamenei labelled protesters \"agitators\" and called for an immediate crackdown to disperse them.\n\nImages released from Iran show morgues, including Kahrizak, filled with corpses of those killed in the protests.\n\nMany killed were teenagers aged 15 to 16. The crackdown has been met with backlash from human rights organisations worldwide. Australia closed its embassy in Iran in protest.\n\nTehran said \"terrorists\" slipped into crowds of protesters and are responsible for the killings.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iran has partially restored communications after a near-total blackout that began 7 January, allowing Iranians abroad brief contact with families following a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.<\/p>\n<p>The government blocked domestic telephone lines and internet connections to the outside world as security forces clashed with protesters in major cities including Tehran.<\/p>\n<p>Some human rights groups and insiders in Iran estimate between 12,000 and 15,000 people have been killed in the protests. <\/p>\n<p>The government has rejected those figures, saying they were grossly overinflated to \"dramatise\" the situation and fulfil political agendas.<\/p>\n<p>Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged Saturday that several thousand people had been killed during the protests. News agencies quoting Iranian officials reported a minimum of 5,000 deaths.<\/p>\n<h2>What are eyewitnesses saying?<\/h2>\n<p>Arham, an Iranian living in Europe who spoke to Euronews using a pseudonym, said his brother-in-law was shot by security forces with tear gas canisters while closing his shop accompanied by his child, though not participating in demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>The canisters hit him in the forehead and chest. He was taken to hospital for surgery and has not been discharged.<\/p>\n<p>\"During the protests, a close friend of mine who attended a protest rally in the Narmak area was shot, but we have no news from him and his family's search to find him has been fruitless,\" Arham said.<\/p>\n<p>In a recorded voice note of a telephone conversation with his sister provided to Euronews, she said: \"All people are sad, as soon as you meet someone you have tears in your eyes, things are getting worse, people are apparently living normally but as if we were attacked by zombies.\"<\/p>\n<p>Arham said that at the hospital where his brother-in-law was treated, \"in front of my eyes, three teenage girls aged 16-17 lost their lives to gunshot injuries.\" The hospital name was withheld.<\/p>\n<p>The Islamic Republic is demanding large sums from families to hand over bodies for burial, Arham said. He and others are raising money to help a neighbour in Tehran pay for the return of their daughter's body.<\/p>\n<p>The protests began on 9 December with Tehran shopkeepers striking and closing shops in protest at Iran's economic situation, after the rial plummeted to a record low and inflation remained above 40%.<\/p>\n<p>Protests quickly spread to other cities as anti-government demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>Khamenei labelled protesters \"agitators\" and called for an immediate crackdown to disperse them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//16//exiled-son-of-irans-shah-says-islamic-republic-will-fall/">Exiled son of Iran's shah says Islamic Republic 'will fall'<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//16//washington-warns-tehran-all-options-are-on-the-table-in-emergency-un-security-council-sess/">Washington warns Tehran 'all options are on the table' in emergency UN Security Council session<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Images released from Iran show morgues, including Kahrizak, filled with corpses of those killed in the protests.<\/p>\n<p>Many killed were teenagers aged 15 to 16. The crackdown has been met with backlash from human rights organisations worldwide. Australia closed its embassy in Iran in protest.<\/p>\n<p>Tehran said \"terrorists\" slipped into crowds of protesters and are responsible for the killings. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768737147,"updatedAt":1768779869,"publishedAt":1768750639,"firstPublishedAt":1768750639,"lastPublishedAt":1768779869,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"People attend a rally in support of Iran's anti-government protests, in Yalova, Turkey","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"People attend a rally in support of Iran's anti-government protests, in Yalova, Turkey","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/67\/61\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_09b8a6ab-4378-5a43-a4d2-3349b5f07d03-9616761.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"protest","titleRaw":"Protest","id":4378,"title":"Protest","slug":"protest"},{"urlSafeValue":"attack","titleRaw":"Attack","id":7815,"title":"Attack","slug":"attack"},{"urlSafeValue":"zombies","titleRaw":"Zombies","id":10173,"title":"Zombies","slug":"zombies"},{"urlSafeValue":"suppressed","titleRaw":"suppressed","id":11967,"title":"suppressed","slug":"suppressed"},{"urlSafeValue":"died","titleRaw":"died","id":21916,"title":"died","slug":"died"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews Parsi","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"urlSafeValue":"asia","id":12,"title":"Asia"},"country":{"urlSafeValue":"iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":2,"slug":"amazon-translate","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"fa","storyId":9616761,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/18\/iran-protest","lastModified":1768779869},{"id":2862793,"cid":9615832,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"REZA PAHLAVI IRAN FALL","daletPyramidId":3907443,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Exiled son of Iran's shah says Islamic Republic 'will fall'","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Exiled son of Iran's shah says Islamic republic 'will fall'","titleListing2":"Exiled son of Iran's shah says Islamic Republic 'will fall'","leadin":"Pahlavi has repeatedly called for intervention by US President Donald Trump, who has not acted despite several warnings to Tehran.","summary":"Pahlavi has repeatedly called for intervention by US President Donald Trump, who has not acted despite several warnings to Tehran.","keySentence":"","url":"exiled-son-of-irans-shah-says-islamic-republic-will-fall","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/16\/exiled-son-of-irans-shah-says-islamic-republic-will-fall","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The son of Iran's late shah said Friday he is confident the Islamic Republic will fall amid mass protests and called for international intervention.\n\n\"The Islamic Republic will fall \u2014 not if, but when,\" Reza Pahlavi told a news conference in Washington. \"I will return to Iran.\"\n\nPahlavi has lived in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled his pro-Western father.\n\nMany protesters have chanted Pahlavi's name in mass protests that swept Iran, which the regime in Tehran violently suppressed. At least 2,572 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to human rights organisations, although some sources claim the toll could reach 15,000.\n\nPahlavi said he wants to serve as a figurehead to lead a transition to a secular democracy, despite detractors.\n\nPahlavi has repeatedly called for intervention by US President Donald Trump, who has not acted despite several warnings to Tehran.\n\n\"Iranian people are taking decisive actions on the ground. It is now time for the international community to join them fully,\" Pahlavi said.\n\nHe called on the international community to \"protect the Iranian people by degrading the regime's repressive capacity, including targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard leadership and its command and control infrastructure.\"\n\nHe also called on all countries to expel Islamic Republic diplomats.\n\nPahlavi issued a call for protests on 8 January, which the Iranian government has since used as a legal turning point.\n\nIran's justice minister said this week that mere presence on streets after that date is now considered a criminal act, arguing the situation transitioned from \"protest\" to \"internal conflict\".\n\nTrump said Wednesday he has been told by \"good authority\" that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, although Tehran has indicated fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The son of Iran's late shah said Friday he is confident the Islamic Republic will fall amid mass protests and called for international intervention.<\/p>\n<p>\"The Islamic Republic will fall \u2014 not if, but when,\" Reza Pahlavi told a news conference in Washington. \"I will return to Iran.\"<\/p>\n<p>Pahlavi has lived in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled his pro-Western father.<\/p>\n<p>Many protesters have chanted Pahlavi's name in mass protests that swept Iran, which the regime in Tehran violently suppressed. At least 2,572 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to human rights organisations, although some sources claim the toll could reach 15,000.<\/p>\n<p>Pahlavi said he wants to serve as a figurehead to lead a transition to a secular democracy, despite detractors.<\/p>\n<p>Pahlavi has repeatedly called for intervention by US President Donald Trump, who has not acted despite several warnings to Tehran.<\/p>\n<p>\"Iranian people are taking decisive actions on the ground. It is now time for the international community to join them fully,\" Pahlavi said.<\/p>\n<p>He called on the international community to \"protect the Iranian people by degrading the regime's repressive capacity, including targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard leadership and its command and control infrastructure.\"<\/p>\n<p>He also called on all countries to expel Islamic Republic diplomats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//15//us-sanctions-iranian-officials-accused-of-repressing-protests-against-the-government/">US sanctions Iranian officials accused of repressing protests against the government<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//16//washington-warns-tehran-all-options-are-on-the-table-in-emergency-un-security-council-sess/">Washington warns Tehran 'all options are on the table' in emergency UN Security Council session<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Pahlavi issued a call for protests on 8 January, which the Iranian government has since used as a legal turning point. <\/p>\n<p>Iran's justice minister said this week that mere presence on streets after that date is now considered a criminal act, arguing the situation transitioned from \"protest\" to \"internal conflict\".<\/p>\n<p>Trump said Wednesday he has been told by \"good authority\" that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, although Tehran has indicated fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768579199,"updatedAt":1768579675,"publishedAt":1768579670,"firstPublishedAt":1768579670,"lastPublishedAt":1768579670,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/58\/32\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4638e7ab-2c59-5021-b780-a28d90fb9272-9615832.jpg","altText":"FILE: A protester holds a poster of Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a rally outside Iran's embassy in Santiago, Chile, 13 January 2026","caption":"FILE: A protester holds a poster of Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a rally outside Iran's embassy in Santiago, Chile, 13 January 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":4378,"slug":"protest","urlSafeValue":"protest","title":"Protest","titleRaw":"Protest"},{"id":25464,"slug":"reza-pahlavi","urlSafeValue":"reza-pahlavi","title":"Reza Pahlavi","titleRaw":"Reza Pahlavi"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AFP","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/16\/exiled-son-of-irans-shah-says-islamic-republic-will-fall","lastModified":1768579670},{"id":2862533,"cid":9614524,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MEHRAN KAMRAVA ITW by Aadel","daletPyramidId":3896956,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran warns Qatar and Saudi Arabia it will strike US targets if attacked, expert says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Gulf on edge: Iran warns it will target US military bases if attacked","titleListing2":"'Iran has warned Qatar and Saudi Arabia it will strike US targets if attacked,' expert says","leadin":"US personnel movements from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar underscores rising fears of direct US\u2013Iran confrontation, according to Middle East expert Professor Mehran Kamrava, who says Tehran has explicitly warned Doha and Riyadh it would retaliate against American targets.","summary":"US personnel movements from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar underscores rising fears of direct US\u2013Iran confrontation, according to Middle East expert Professor Mehran Kamrava, who says Tehran has explicitly warned Doha and Riyadh it would retaliate against American targets.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-warns-qatar-and-saudi-arabia-it-will-strike-us-targets-if-attacked-expert-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/15\/iran-warns-qatar-and-saudi-arabia-it-will-strike-us-targets-if-attacked-expert-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Qatar's confirmation that some US military personnel have been moved out of Al Udeid Air Base as a precaution reflects growing concern across the Gulf that tensions between Washington and Tehran could tip into open conflict, according to a leading regional expert.\n\nSpeaking to Euronews, Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University in Qatar said the warning issued this week by Qatar's Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, that escalation would be \"catastrophic,\" is an accurate assessment of the risks now facing the region.\n\n\"I think that's a correct assessment,\" Kamrava said. \u201cGiven the changing nature of geostrategic dynamics in the region, we\u2019re looking at a very difficult set of predicaments.\u201d\n\nQatar has stressed that the movements at Al Udeid, the largest US air base in the Middle East, are precautionary and do not indicate an imminent threat. But the political scientist said the base\u2019s central role makes Qatar especially exposed if the crisis deepens.\n\n\"It is extremely disconcerting, particularly for those of us who are based in the region,\" he said. \"Iran has formally told the government of Qatar and has formally told the government of Saudi Arabia that it will hit American targets in those countries.\"\n\nIran and the 'more lethal punch'\n\nKamrava said Iran's options have narrowed following the collapse of its so-called \"axis of resistance,\" pushing Tehran toward more direct forms of retaliation.\n\n\"One of the things we've seen is that now that Iran's axis of resistance no longer exists, the Iranians now resort to their ballistic missiles,\" he said. \"They can no longer engage the Americans in some remote area. They will hit directly at American targets.\"\n\nHe warned that if the United States were to strike Iran, the Iranian leadership would have little political room not to respond.\n\n\"Politically, the Iranian government simply cannot afford not to react,\" Kamrava said. \"It cannot bear the domestic political costs of looking incapable of hitting back.\"\n\nPointing to past confrontations, including the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani and the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Kamrava said retaliation has been consistent.\n\n\"There's no reason to believe this time would be any different,\" he said. \"If anything, the Iranians would want to show they can throw a much more lethal punch.\"\n\nProtests take on a life of their own\n\nKamrava said protests that began over economic concerns and the collapse of the rial have evolved, fuelled by government overreaction and outside encouragement.\n\n\"Protests can take a life of their own,\" he said. While pro-government demonstrations now appear larger, he added that \"anti-government sentiment and popular anger are extremely widespread across the country.\"\n\nKamrava said only a sober assessment of the consequences could prevent further escalation.\n\n\"You can't hit Iran and be done with it,\" he warned. \"If Iran is hit, they will hit American targets in the region. That's the reality decision-makers need to confront.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Qatar's confirmation that some US military personnel have been moved out of Al Udeid Air Base as a precaution reflects growing concern across the Gulf that tensions between Washington and Tehran could tip into open conflict, according to a leading regional expert.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Euronews, Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University in Qatar said the warning issued this week by Qatar's Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, that escalation would be \"catastrophic,\" is an accurate assessment of the risks now facing the region.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think that's a correct assessment,\" Kamrava said. \u201cGiven the changing nature of geostrategic dynamics in the region, we\u2019re looking at a very difficult set of predicaments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Qatar has stressed that the movements at Al Udeid, the largest US air base in the Middle East, are precautionary and do not indicate an imminent threat. But the political scientist said the base\u2019s central role makes Qatar especially exposed if the crisis deepens.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is extremely disconcerting, particularly for those of us who are based in the region,\" he said. \"Iran has formally told the government of Qatar and has formally told the government of Saudi Arabia that it will hit American targets in those countries.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//45//24//808x539_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg/" alt=\"US military personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, 21 January, 2016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/384x255_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/640x426_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/750x499_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/828x551_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/1080x718_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/1200x798_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/1920x1277_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">US military personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, 21 January, 2016<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Iran and the 'more lethal punch'<\/h2>\n<p>Kamrava said Iran's options have narrowed following the collapse of its so-called \"axis of resistance,\" pushing Tehran toward more direct forms of retaliation.<\/p>\n<p>\"One of the things we've seen is that now that Iran's axis of resistance no longer exists, the Iranians now resort to their ballistic missiles,\" he said. \"They can no longer engage the Americans in some remote area. They will hit directly at American targets.\"<\/p>\n<p>He warned that if the United States were to strike Iran, the Iranian leadership would have little political room not to respond.<\/p>\n<p>\"Politically, the Iranian government simply cannot afford not to react,\" Kamrava said. \"It cannot bear the domestic political costs of looking incapable of hitting back.\"<\/p>\n<p>Pointing to past confrontations, including the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani and the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Kamrava said retaliation has been consistent.<\/p>\n<p>\"There's no reason to believe this time would be any different,\" he said. \"If anything, the Iranians would want to show they can throw a much more lethal punch.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//45//24//808x808_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg/" alt=\"Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University Qatar\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/384x384_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/640x640_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/750x750_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/828x828_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/1080x1080_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/1200x1200_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/1920x1920_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University Qatar<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">https:\/\/www.qatar.georgetown.edu\/faculty\/mehran-kamrava\/<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Protests take on a life of their own<\/h2>\n<p>Kamrava said protests that began over economic concerns and the collapse of the rial have evolved, fuelled by government overreaction and outside encouragement.<\/p>\n<p>\"Protests can take a life of their own,\" he said. While pro-government demonstrations now appear larger, he added that \"anti-government sentiment and popular anger are extremely widespread across the country.\"<\/p>\n<p>Kamrava said only a sober assessment of the consequences could prevent further escalation.<\/p>\n<p>\"You can't hit Iran and be done with it,\" he warned. \"If Iran is hit, they will hit American targets in the region. That's the reality decision-makers need to confront.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768498843,"updatedAt":1768506229,"publishedAt":1768504620,"firstPublishedAt":1768504620,"lastPublishedAt":1768506228,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"A missile seen backdropped by a poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, 23 September, 2008","callToActionText":null,"width":1636,"caption":"A missile seen backdropped by a poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, 23 September, 2008","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3f6e42a1-492b-54ae-a6e1-6c6e6b4c65ea-9614524.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":920},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"https:\/\/www.qatar.georgetown.edu\/faculty\/mehran-kamrava\/","altText":"Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University Qatar","callToActionText":null,"width":800,"caption":"Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University Qatar","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5a6a5d84-aa2b-5cdf-9a84-c9e677bd6a7e-9614524.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":800},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"US military personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, 21 January, 2016","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"US military personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, 21 January, 2016","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/45\/24\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f29f3cbf-17df-57e2-908e-cf8fee260df0-9614524.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1330}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"aadel.haleem@euronews.com","twitter":null,"id":3539,"title":"Aadel Haleem"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"protestas","titleRaw":"Protests","id":27110,"title":"Protests","slug":"protestas"},{"urlSafeValue":"qatar","titleRaw":"Qatar","id":234,"title":"Qatar","slug":"qatar"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-states","titleRaw":"United States ","id":13363,"title":"United States ","slug":"united-states"},{"urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump","id":11900,"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump"},{"urlSafeValue":"ayatollah-khomeini","titleRaw":"Ayatollah Khomeini ","id":27256,"title":"Ayatollah Khomeini ","slug":"ayatollah-khomeini"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2862499},{"id":2862332},{"id":2862411}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"e10V6YbV7bk","dailymotionId":"x9xuodq"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":233000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":33952184,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/05\/53\/09\/ED_PYR_3405539_20260115194213.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":233000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":51957457,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/05\/53\/09\/SHD_PYR_3405539_20260115194213.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":233000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":180622226,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/05\/53\/09\/FHD_PYR_3405539_20260115194213.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World 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RUSSIA LINKS","daletPyramidId":3892534,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Russia remains mostly silent on Iran protests as military cooperation continues","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Russia mostly silent on Iran protests as arms cooperation continues","titleListing2":"Iran and Russia: a strategic partnership forced by necessity and geopolitical realities","leadin":"It took the Kremlin nearly two weeks of protests in Iran to say \"no third party\" can change the fundamental nature of relations between Iran and Russia. In an Euronews interview, political analyst and Iran expert Nikita Smagin explains Moscow-Tehran ties.","summary":"It took the Kremlin nearly two weeks of protests in Iran to say \"no third party\" can change the fundamental nature of relations between Iran and Russia. In an Euronews interview, political analyst and Iran expert Nikita Smagin explains Moscow-Tehran ties.","keySentence":"","url":"russia-remains-mostly-silent-on-iran-protests-as-military-cooperation-continues","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/15\/russia-remains-mostly-silent-on-iran-protests-as-military-cooperation-continues","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Russia remained largely silent for almost two weeks after mass protests erupted in Iran, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying Thursday that \"no third party can alter the fundamental nature of relations\" between the two countries.\n\nRussian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the situation in Iran \u2014 which has been steadily escalating for nearly 20 days \u2014 for the first time on Tuesday, blaming what she called the West's \"illegal sanctions pressure\" which, in her words, \"creates economic and social problems.\"\n\nShe stated \"public tension\" is being used \"to destabilise and destroy the Iranian state.\" Zakharova also repeated the Kremlin's talking points about \"colour revolutions.\"\n\nPolitical analyst Nikita Smagin told Euronews that since protests began, Russia had addressed the issue \"very cautiously, in other words, there were very few statements,\" and then only at the level of the Russian embassy in Iran.\n\n\"This measured response was due to Russia watching the situation and weighing the possibility of a change of regime or other radical shifts,\" Smagin said. In her statement, Zakharova \"categorically backed\" the Islamic Republic, he added.\n\nSmagin noted this reflects Moscow's conclusion, amid the suppression of protests, that Iranian authorities are not under threat and can therefore be openly supported to further facilitate development of relations between the two countries.\n\nHow binding are Moscow-Iran ties?\n\nMoscow and Tehran drew closer after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\n\nRussia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement exactly a year ago, whose main pillars are military cooperation and economic cooperation, particularly in energy, as well as efforts to mitigate the impact of sanctions.\n\nYet Smagin noted that Russia and Iran are not allies in the most straightforward sense. They are better described as strategic partners, given significant mutual distrust and a rapprochement driven by necessity, with both sides having few avenues for engagement on the international stage.\n\n\"They operate within this narrow corridor, which makes their relationship fairly stable,\" Smagin said. \"In fact, economic ties have not grown much since 2022, despite all efforts. Trade turnover figures have changed only marginally.\"\n\nSmagin explained there are potential projects to deepen ties, but they are still in the works: preliminary agreements for Russia to build new nuclear power plants in Iran, activation of the North-South transport corridor and construction of a railway line, and Russian investment and participation in the oil and gas sector, including efforts to turn Iran into a gas hub for the transit of Russian gas.\n\nMilitary cooperation expanding\n\nSince the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been using Iranian Shahed drones to carry out strikes on civilian infrastructure. In 2022, the European Union imposed sanctions on officials and the drone manufacturer in Iran.\n\nAccording to Bloomberg, since October 2021 \u2014 several months before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine \u2014 Russia has purchased over $4 billion worth of weapons from Iran, including ballistic missiles.\n\n\"As for military cooperation, it is indeed expanding,\" Smagin noted.\n\nRussia is now producing Shaheds on its own territory, renaming them \"Geran-2,\" after buying the technology from Iran in 2023.\n\n\"Russia has largely localised production of these drones and, beyond that, has begun making its own. The peak of Iran's importance as a military partner for Russia is long past; it was in 2022 and 2023,\" Smagin said.\n\nThe dynamic is reversing: Russia is increasingly seeking to supply arms to Iran.\n\n\"This includes various types of weaponry such as Su-35 fighter jets and Mi-28 attack helicopters. There is information that the first such helicopters arrived in Iran during the protests,\" Smagin explained.\n\n\"There are also other categories that are not publicly declared but have surfaced in reports, including Spartak armoured vehicles, electronic warfare systems and radar,\" he added.\n\nIran is becoming an increasingly significant recipient of Russian military exports, but Smagin stressed Russia \"has not committed its full capacity in this direction, as it is absorbed by the war with Ukraine and, in that sense, has limited capabilities.\"\n\nDespite recent setbacks in Syria and Venezuela, Moscow retains the ability to assist partners in difficulty. In an article for Foreign Policy, Nicole Grajewski, a researcher with the Carnegie Endowment's nuclear policy programme, noted that in Iran's case, Russia is not seeking direct intervention but is bolstering the regime's internal security apparatus.\n\nIn an interview with Euronews, Smagin said there are suspicions that Russian electronic warfare systems are helping Iran to jam Starlink or, at the very least, to disrupt the functioning of Elon Musk's satellite internet service.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Russia remained largely silent for almost two weeks after mass protests erupted in Iran, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying Thursday that \"no third party can alter the fundamental nature of relations\" between the two countries.<\/p>\n<p>Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the situation in Iran \u2014 which has been steadily escalating for nearly 20 days \u2014 for the first time on Tuesday, blaming what she called the West's \"illegal sanctions pressure\" which, in her words, \"creates economic and social problems.\" <\/p>\n<p>She stated \"public tension\" is being used \"to destabilise and destroy the Iranian state.\" Zakharova also repeated the Kremlin's talking points about \"colour revolutions.\"<\/p>\n<p>Political analyst Nikita Smagin told Euronews that since protests began, Russia had addressed the issue \"very cautiously, in other words, there were very few statements,\" and then only at the level of the Russian embassy in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>\"This measured response was due to Russia watching the situation and weighing the possibility of a change of regime or other radical shifts,\" Smagin said. In her statement, Zakharova \"categorically backed\" the Islamic Republic, he added.<\/p>\n<p>Smagin noted this reflects Moscow's conclusion, amid the suppression of protests, that Iranian authorities are not under threat and can therefore be openly supported to further facilitate development of relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n<h2>How binding are Moscow-Iran ties?<\/h2>\n<p>Moscow and Tehran drew closer after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement exactly a year ago, whose main pillars are military cooperation and economic cooperation, particularly in energy, as well as efforts to mitigate the impact of sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>Yet Smagin noted that Russia and Iran are not allies in the most straightforward sense. They are better described as strategic partners, given significant mutual distrust and a rapprochement driven by necessity, with both sides having few avenues for engagement on the international stage.<\/p>\n<p>\"They operate within this narrow corridor, which makes their relationship fairly stable,\" Smagin said. \"In fact, economic ties have not grown much since 2022, despite all efforts. Trade turnover figures have changed only marginally.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//06//22//will-russia-stand-up-for-its-ally-iran-and-how-can-moscow-benefit-from-the-conflict/">Will Russia stand up for its ally Iran, and how can Moscow benefit from the conflict?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Smagin explained there are potential projects to deepen ties, but they are still in the works: preliminary agreements for Russia to build new nuclear power plants in Iran, activation of the North-South transport corridor and construction of a railway line, and Russian investment and participation in the oil and gas sector, including efforts to turn Iran into a gas hub for the transit of Russian gas.<\/p>\n<h2>Military cooperation expanding<\/h2>\n<p>Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been using Iranian Shahed drones to carry out strikes on civilian infrastructure. In 2022, the European Union imposed sanctions on officials and the drone manufacturer in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>According to Bloomberg, since October 2021 \u2014 several months before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine \u2014 Russia has purchased over $4 billion worth of weapons from Iran, including ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n<p>\"As for military cooperation, it is indeed expanding,\" Smagin noted.<\/p>\n<p>Russia is now producing Shaheds on its own territory, renaming them \"Geran-2,\" after buying the technology from Iran in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>\"Russia has largely localised production of these drones and, beyond that, has begun making its own. The peak of Iran's importance as a military partner for Russia is long past; it was in 2022 and 2023,\" Smagin said.<\/p>\n<p>The dynamic is reversing: Russia is increasingly seeking to supply arms to Iran.<\/p>\n<p>\"This includes various types of weaponry such as Su-35 fighter jets and Mi-28 attack helicopters. There is information that the first such helicopters arrived in Iran during the protests,\" Smagin explained.<\/p>\n<p>\"There are also other categories that are not publicly declared but have surfaced in reports, including Spartak armoured vehicles, electronic warfare systems and radar,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>Iran is becoming an increasingly significant recipient of Russian military exports, but Smagin stressed Russia \"has not committed its full capacity in this direction, as it is absorbed by the war with Ukraine and, in that sense, has limited capabilities.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//next//2026//01//14//iran-could-be-blocking-starlink-during-internet-blackout-with-methods-similar-to-russia/">Iran could be blocking Starlink during internet blackout with methods similar to Russia<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Despite recent setbacks in Syria and Venezuela, Moscow retains the ability to assist partners in difficulty. In an article for Foreign Policy, Nicole Grajewski, a researcher with the Carnegie Endowment's nuclear policy programme, noted that in Iran's case, Russia is not seeking direct intervention but is bolstering the regime's internal security apparatus.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview with Euronews, Smagin said there are suspicions that Russian electronic warfare systems are helping Iran to jam Starlink or, at the very least, to disrupt the functioning of Elon Musk's satellite internet service.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768484640,"updatedAt":1768487116,"publishedAt":1768487112,"firstPublishedAt":1768487112,"lastPublishedAt":1768487112,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/41\/89\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_db08547c-107b-5f57-88eb-d7fa75fd52b7-9614189.jpg","altText":"The presidents of Iran and Russia during a meeting at the Kremlin, 17 January 2025.","caption":"The presidents of Iran and Russia during a meeting at the Kremlin, 17 January 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Kremlin Pool Photo via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1438,"height":809}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":688,"urlSafeValue":"sheludkova","title":"Irina Sheludkova","twitter":"@irinasheludkova"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":4378,"slug":"protest","urlSafeValue":"protest","title":"Protest","titleRaw":"Protest"},{"id":16150,"slug":"iran-russia","urlSafeValue":"iran-russia","title":"IRAN-RUSSIA","titleRaw":"IRAN-RUSSIA"},{"id":17576,"slug":"iran-sanctions","urlSafeValue":"iran-sanctions","title":"Iran sanctions","titleRaw":"Iran sanctions"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2809895}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":3,"slug":"openai","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"ru","storyId":9613612,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/15\/russia-remains-mostly-silent-on-iran-protests-as-military-cooperation-continues","lastModified":1768487112},{"id":2861615,"cid":9612959,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Iran Environmental Collapse","daletPyramidId":3881844,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Water shortages, blackouts and air pollution: How environmental damage fuelled Iran's protests","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"How has Iran\u2019s environmental crisis fuelled nationwide protests?","titleListing2":"Water shortages, blackouts and air pollution: How environmental damage fuelled Iran protests","leadin":"Iran\u2019s protests are often framed as economic, political or ideological. Yet a deeper ecological crisis is eroding the fabric of society.","summary":"Iran\u2019s protests are often framed as economic, political or ideological. Yet a deeper ecological crisis is eroding the fabric of society.","keySentence":"","url":"water-shortages-blackouts-and-air-pollution-how-environmental-damage-fuelled-irans-protest","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2026\/01\/15\/water-shortages-blackouts-and-air-pollution-how-environmental-damage-fuelled-irans-protest","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iran's 2026 protests erupted after a prolonged period of planned cuts to water and electricity, successive closures of educational and commercial centres, and deadly air pollution in major cities.\n\nFactors such as the surge in the dollar rate, the steep rise in prices of goods and services, and discontent with the political system are frequently cited causes for the unrest \u2013 but these don't paint the entire picture.\n\nThis time, the issue goes beyond 'how to live' and becomes a matter of 'how to survive'. What is playing out on the streets today is an alliance between a middle class that has lost its future in the economy and the poor who see their lives at risk in a devastated landscape.\n\nWhen nature joins the ranks of the protesters\n\nIn today\u2019s Iran, geography and the environment are no longer a neutral backdrop: the environment itself has become a threat. Land subsidence in Isfahan and Tehran, the complete drying of wetlands and the onslaught of dust are contributing to visions of a hopeless future.\n\nIran is confronting multifaceted climatic destruction in which environmental disasters combined with political ineffectiveness are reaching crisis point.\n\nIran is battling subsidence and water insecurity\n\nAccording to officials and reports from the National Cartographic Centre, excessive and unsustainable consumption of groundwater has left Iran\u2019s plains in peril.\n\nIn some areas, the ground in Iran is subsiding at a rate of 20 to 30 centimetres a year. This is 40 times the average of developed countries and the highest on record worldwide.\n\nLand subsidence has now moved beyond agricultural plains and reached the historic city of Isfahan. Deep fissures in the body of the Imam Mosque and in the bridges over the Zayandeh River signal the physical collapse of Iran\u2019s cultural identity. Subsidence has effectively rendered some parts of the city uninhabitable.\n\nIn Greater Tehran and surrounding areas, such as Varamin and Shahriar, subsidence has encroached on international airports, railway lines and refineries.\n\nOfficial figures indicate Iran's aquifers face a deficit of 130 billion cubic metres. This means that, even if rainfall returns to normal, water stores will remain insufficient.\n\nSupplies having been siphoned off by industry and inefficient, top-down agriculture, are adding to water insecurity.\n\nDust storms, fuel shortages and air pollution plague Iranian cities\n\nCities are also facing worsening air pollution. Despite holding the world\u2019s second-largest gas reserves, Iran faces a gas deficit because of decrepit infrastructure and lack of investment.\n\nThe inability to supply clean fuel has led to widespread burning of mazut \u2013 a low-quality, heavy fuel oil with high sulfur content \u2013 in power plants and industry and.\n\nHouseholds have also been forced to rely on mazut to prevent gas cuts in winter, forcing Iranians to accept toxic pollution in order to stay warm.\n\nOfficial data show that emissions of sulphur oxides in major cities rise to up to 10 times the legal limit during periods of mazut burning.\n\nBut air pollution in Iran's big cities is no longer just confined to wintertime. In the west and south, dried-out wetlands and lakes have become vast sources of dust storms, creating problems in spring and summer as well. This is compounded by the formation of ozone as a secondary pollutant caused by intense sunlight acting on toxic gases.\n\nAccording to monitoring stations, the number of 'clean air' days in cities such as Tehran, Arak and Isfahan has in some years fallen to fewer than five days in the whole year. That amounts to the removal of the right to breathe for 86 million people.\n\nHealth Ministry figures indicate that deaths attributed to air pollution in Iran are approaching 30,000 a year.\n\nThe collapse of biodiversity and food security in Iran\n\nThe desiccation of thousands of oak trees in the Zagros mountain range and the transformation of pastures into barren deserts have not only driven Iran\u2019s ecosystem towards ruin, but have put the country\u2019s food security on the verge of collapse.\n\nAccording to natural resources reports, more than 1.5 million hectares (close to 30 per cent) of Zagros oak forests have suffered dieback and decline. This impacts the forest's natural filtration of water and soil, leading to increased runoff, soil erosion and water contamination.\n\nEach year, around 100,000 hectares of farmland and rangeland in Iran are at risk of becoming absolute desert. Experts also say soil degradation in Iran has now reached a critical level, as the rate of erosion is about three times the global average and the highest among Middle Eastern countries.\n\nWater tensions are escalating in Iran\n\nAlthough mass population movement towards the wetter northern regions of Iran has not yet occurred, inter-regional tensions over limited water resources have been sparked.\n\nInter-basin water transfer projects, designed to keep inefficient industries in the central plateau going, have now become centres of friction between provinces.\n\nBeyond provincial disputes, water stress has now infiltrated homes in the metropolises. Citizens face frequent cuts and informal rationing of drinking water, severe drops in pressure and a worrying deterioration in water quality, with higher concentrations of salts and nitrates. This is further eroding trust between citizens and authorities, and risks escalating into local and ethnic clashes.\n\nPower cuts shut off lights, internet and production\n\nAlongside the water and climate crisis, energy imbalance has meant planned, long-lasting power cuts are no longer confined to summertime.\n\nThis imposed darkness goes beyond lights switching off. In residential towers in the big cities, power cuts mean water pumps stop, lifts fail and daily life is paralysed. For the more deprived, these blackouts mean the only food stocks in their fridges spoil, imposing heavy financial losses.\n\nFor the younger generation who reside largely in the virtual space, power cuts mean loss of access to the internet and VPNs \u2013 tools that are their only window to the outside world.\n\nThe forced shutdown of factories and production units to compensate for household electricity shortages has triggered a new wave of unemployment and halted production.\n\nHow ecological bankruptcy dovetails with class erosion\n\nEcological bankruptcy is not merely an environmental catastrophe: it is the principal catalyst of the 'de-classing' of Iranian society.\n\nTogether, land subsidence, water scarcity and city blackouts are prompting the collapse of middle-class living standards and pushing of the poor to the bottom of the poverty pyramid.\n\nWhen soil erosion annually devours the equivalent of 10 to 15 per cent of Iran\u2019s GDP, national wealth is not lost on international markets but washed away in the soil and buried in silted-up dams.\n\nThe landowning farmer, once the backbone of the traditional middle class, has now, with the loss of water and soil, become the foot-soldier of the urban fringes.\n\nMeanwhile, the disastrous energy imbalance and repeated power cuts have dealt the final blow to small-scale production and small businesses. 'Mandatory blackouts' of factories and shops are bringing people\u2019s livelihoods to a standstill by gradually whittling away day labourers\u2019 daily income and destroying of the little capital left to middle-class entrepreneurs.\n\nAmid subsidence in the major cities, the white-collar middle class is also facing a drop in the value of their homes, the only asset left after the storm of inflation.\n\nGovernance deadlock: The paradox of ideology and survival\n\nThis is where Iran\u2019s 2026 paradox is laid bare. Resolving climate crises demands major international investment, water diplomacy and adherence to global environmental standards. But instead of lifting sanctions and deescalating conflict to reconcile with the world and attract investment, ordinary people\u2019s lives are being sacrificed for ideological ends.\n\nGovernment water handouts or hasty, underfunded schemes cannot fill a gas deficit or empty aquifers. As a result, the environment has become the second front of the conflict, where the enemy is no longer foreign conspiracies, but the unchangeable laws of physics and nature.\n\nProtestors are defending their right to life\n\nWhat is happening on Iran\u2019s streets in 2026 is not a repetition of previous cycles of unrest; it is the birth of a new political paradigm.\n\nWhen protesters raise their voices, they are not only calling for bread or civil freedoms, but fighting for the right to breathe, the right to stand on solid ground and the right to have a liveable future. The alliance of diverse groups and social classes is now bound to a merciless ally: scorched earth.\n\nThe cost of silence is no longer merely poverty, but death in a geography that is becoming uninhabitable. As such, protesters are defending their right to exist.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iran's 2026 <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//13//protests-across-iran-is-war-with-the-us-or-israel-imminent-and-what-would-it-change/">protests erupted after a prolonged period of planned cuts to water and electricity, successive closures of educational and commercial centres, and deadly air pollution in major cities. <\/p>\n<p>Factors such as the surge in the dollar rate, the steep rise in prices of goods and services, and discontent with the political system are frequently cited causes for the unrest \u2013 but these don't paint the entire picture.<\/p>\n<p>This time, the issue goes beyond 'how to live' and becomes a matter of 'how to survive'. What is playing out on the streets today is an alliance between a middle class that has lost its future in the economy and the poor who see their lives at risk in a devastated landscape.<\/p>\n<h2>When nature joins the ranks of the protesters<\/h2>\n<p>In today\u2019s Iran, geography and the environment are no longer a neutral backdrop: the environment itself has become a threat. Land subsidence in Isfahan and Tehran, the complete drying of wetlands and the onslaught of dust are contributing to visions of a hopeless future.<\/p>\n<p>Iran is confronting multifaceted climatic destruction in which environmental disasters combined with political ineffectiveness are reaching crisis point.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Iran is battling subsidence and water insecurity<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>According to officials and reports from the National Cartographic Centre, excessive and unsustainable consumption of groundwater has left Iran\u2019s plains in peril. <\/p>\n<p>In some areas, the ground in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2026//01//13//europe-today-former-eus-digital-tsar-discusses-greenland-iran-big-tech/">Iran is subsiding at a rate of 20 to 30 centimetres a year. This is 40 times the average of developed countries and the highest on record worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>Land subsidence has now moved beyond agricultural plains and reached the historic city of Isfahan. Deep fissures in the body of the Imam Mosque and in the bridges over the Zayandeh River signal the physical collapse of Iran\u2019s cultural identity. Subsidence has effectively rendered some parts of the city uninhabitable.<\/p>\n<p>In Greater Tehran and surrounding areas, such as Varamin and Shahriar, subsidence has encroached on international airports, railway lines and refineries. <\/p>\n<p>Official figures indicate Iran's aquifers face a deficit of 130 billion cubic metres. This means that, even if rainfall returns to normal, water stores will remain insufficient.<\/p>\n<p>Supplies having been siphoned off by industry and inefficient, top-down agriculture, are adding to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//10//27//europes-water-crisis-how-waste-is-amplifying-the-climate-crisis-and-costing-millions/">water insecurity<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//05//a-fossil-fuelled-war-trumps-plans-to-exploit-venezuelas-oil-reserves-sparks-climate-backla/">A \u2018fossil-fuelled war': Trump\u2019s plans to \u2018exploit\u2019 Venezuela\u2019s oil reserves sparks climate backlash<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//09//mining-climate-and-smokescreens-whats-driving-trumps-interest-in-greenland/">Mining, climate and smokescreens: What's driving Trump's interest in Greenland?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><strong>Dust storms, fuel shortages and air pollution plague Iranian cities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Cities are also facing worsening <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//12//01//air-pollution-linked-to-over-180000-deaths-in-the-eu-which-country-was-hit-the-hardest/">air pollution<\/strong><\/a>. Despite holding the world\u2019s second-largest gas reserves, Iran faces a gas deficit because of decrepit infrastructure and lack of investment. <\/p>\n<p>The inability to supply clean fuel has led to widespread burning of mazut \u2013 a low-quality, heavy fuel oil with high sulfur content \u2013 in power plants and industry and.<\/p>\n<p>Households have also been forced to rely on mazut to prevent gas cuts in winter, forcing Iranians to accept toxic pollution in order to stay warm.<\/p>\n<p>Official data show that emissions of sulphur oxides in major cities rise to up to 10 times the legal limit during periods of mazut burning.<\/p>\n<p>But air pollution in Iran's big cities is no longer just confined to wintertime. In the west and south, dried-out wetlands and lakes have become vast sources of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//11//15//unpredictable-and-dangerous-what-is-human-activity-doing-to-sand-and-dust-storms/">dust storms<\/strong><\/a>, creating problems in spring and summer as well. This is compounded by the formation of ozone as a secondary pollutant caused by intense sunlight acting on toxic gases. <\/p>\n<p>According to monitoring stations, the number of 'clean air' days in cities such as Tehran, Arak and Isfahan has in some years fallen to fewer than five days in the whole year. That amounts to the removal of the right to breathe for 86 million people.<\/p>\n<p>Health Ministry figures indicate that deaths attributed to air pollution in Iran are approaching 30,000 a year. <\/p>\n<h2>The collapse of biodiversity and food security in Iran<\/h2>\n<p>The desiccation of thousands of oak trees in the Zagros mountain range and the transformation of pastures into barren <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//02//23//surrounded-by-an-ocean-of-sand-desertification-pushes-ancient-city-to-the-brink-of-oblivio/">deserts have not only driven Iran\u2019s ecosystem towards ruin, but have put the country\u2019s food security on the verge of collapse. <\/p>\n<p>According to natural resources reports, more than 1.5 million hectares (close to 30 per cent) of Zagros oak forests have suffered dieback and decline. This impacts the forest's natural filtration of water and soil, leading to increased runoff, soil erosion and water contamination.<\/p>\n<p>Each year, around 100,000 hectares of farmland and rangeland in Iran are at risk of becoming absolute desert. Experts also say soil degradation in Iran has now reached a critical level, as the rate of erosion is about three times the global average and the highest among Middle Eastern countries.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//14//uk-and-eu-tree-planting-pledges-face-reality-check-as-scientists-warn-the-climate-window-i/">UK and EU tree planting pledges face reality check as scientists warn the climate window is closing<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Water tensions are escalating in Iran<\/h2>\n<p>Although mass population movement towards the wetter northern regions of Iran has not yet occurred, inter-regional tensions over limited water resources have been sparked. <\/p>\n<p>Inter-basin water transfer projects, designed to keep inefficient industries in the central plateau going, have now become centres of friction between provinces.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond provincial disputes, water stress has now infiltrated homes in the metropolises. Citizens face frequent cuts and informal rationing of drinking water, severe drops in pressure and a worrying deterioration in water quality, with higher concentrations of salts and nitrates. This is further eroding trust between citizens and authorities, and risks escalating into local and ethnic clashes. <\/p>\n<h2>Power cuts shut off lights, internet and production<\/h2>\n<p>Alongside the water and climate crisis, energy imbalance has meant planned, long-lasting power cuts are no longer confined to summertime. <\/p>\n<p>This imposed darkness goes beyond lights switching off. In residential towers in the big cities, power cuts mean water pumps stop, lifts fail and daily life is paralysed. For the more deprived, these blackouts mean the only food stocks in their fridges spoil, imposing heavy financial losses.<\/p>\n<p>For the younger generation who reside largely in the virtual space, power cuts mean loss of access to the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//14//death-toll-from-irans-crackdown-on-protests-jumps-to-at-least-2571-activists-say/">internet and VPNs \u2013 tools that are their only window to the outside world.<\/p>\n<p>The forced shutdown of factories and production units to compensate for household electricity shortages has triggered a new wave of unemployment and halted production.<\/p>\n<h2>How ecological bankruptcy dovetails with class erosion<\/h2>\n<p>Ecological bankruptcy is not merely an <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//12//17//making-polluters-pay-how-can-we-stop-environmental-criminals/">environmental catastrophe<\/strong><\/a>: it is the principal catalyst of the 'de-classing' of Iranian society. <\/p>\n<p>Together, land subsidence, water scarcity and city blackouts are prompting the collapse of middle-class living standards and pushing of the poor to the bottom of the poverty pyramid.<\/p>\n<p>When soil erosion annually devours the equivalent of 10 to 15 per cent of Iran\u2019s GDP, national wealth is not lost on international markets but washed away in the soil and buried in silted-up dams. <\/p>\n<p>The landowning <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//07//07//we-are-the-first-impacted-by-climate-change-why-europes-rural-farmers-support-green-polici/">farmer, once the backbone of the traditional middle class, has now, with the loss of water and soil, become the foot-soldier of the urban fringes.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the disastrous energy imbalance and repeated power cuts have dealt the final blow to small-scale production and small businesses. 'Mandatory blackouts' of factories and shops are bringing people\u2019s livelihoods to a standstill by gradually whittling away day labourers\u2019 daily income and destroying of the little capital left to middle-class entrepreneurs. <\/p>\n<p>Amid subsidence in the major cities, the white-collar middle class is also facing a drop in the value of their homes, the only asset left after the storm of inflation.<\/p>\n<h2>Governance deadlock: The paradox of ideology and survival<\/h2>\n<p>This is where Iran\u2019s 2026 paradox is laid bare. Resolving climate crises demands major international investment, water diplomacy and adherence to global environmental standards. But instead of lifting sanctions and deescalating conflict to reconcile with the world and attract investment, ordinary people\u2019s lives are being sacrificed for ideological ends. <\/p>\n<p>Government water handouts or hasty, underfunded schemes cannot fill a gas deficit or empty aquifers. As a result, the environment has become the second front of the conflict, where the enemy is no longer foreign conspiracies, but the unchangeable laws of physics and nature.<\/p>\n<h2>Protestors are defending their right to life<\/h2>\n<p>What is happening on Iran\u2019s streets in 2026 is not a repetition of previous cycles of unrest; it is the birth of a new political paradigm. <\/p>\n<p>When protesters raise their voices, they are not only calling for bread or civil freedoms, but fighting for the right to breathe, the right to stand on solid ground and the right to have a liveable future. The alliance of diverse groups and social classes is now bound to a merciless ally: scorched earth.<\/p>\n<p>The cost of silence is no longer merely poverty, but death in a geography that is becoming uninhabitable. As such, protesters are defending their right to exist. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768405750,"updatedAt":1768482581,"publishedAt":1768482483,"firstPublishedAt":1768482483,"lastPublishedAt":1768482580,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi","altText":"Air pollution in Iran","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Air pollution in Iran","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/03\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_702e6248-acb7-5465-97e1-5db24709bf98-9610382.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"shamdanihagh","twitter":"https:\/\/x.com\/euronews","id":1370,"title":"Alain Chandelier"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"protest","titleRaw":"Protest","id":4378,"title":"Protest","slug":"protest"},{"urlSafeValue":"water-crisis","titleRaw":"Water Crisis","id":12170,"title":"Water Crisis","slug":"water-crisis"},{"urlSafeValue":"air-pollution","titleRaw":"Air pollution","id":12227,"title":"Air pollution","slug":"air-pollution"},{"urlSafeValue":"power-outage","titleRaw":"Power outage","id":13008,"title":"Power outage","slug":"power-outage"},{"urlSafeValue":"environment","titleRaw":"Environment ","id":14398,"title":"Environment ","slug":"environment"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"green","id":8,"title":"Green","slug":"green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"green-news","id":"green-news","title":"Green 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":3,"slug":"openai","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"fa","storyId":9610382,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2026\/01\/15\/water-shortages-blackouts-and-air-pollution-how-environmental-damage-fuelled-irans-protest","lastModified":1768482580},{"id":2862337,"cid":9613617,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Iranian footbalists killed","daletPyramidId":3887807,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iranian footballers killed in protests as former national team captain slams FIFA silence","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Footballers die in protests as ex-Iran team captain slams FIFA silence","titleListing2":"At least three Iranian footballers killed as protests intensify, rights groups warn","leadin":"Media and human rights reports indicate that several footballers have been killed during Iran\u2019s recent protests, developments that have once again raised serious concerns about the widespread use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.","summary":"Media and human rights reports indicate that several footballers have been killed during Iran\u2019s recent protests, developments that have once again raised serious concerns about the widespread use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.","keySentence":"","url":"iranian-footballers-killed-in-protests-as-former-national-team-captain-slams-fifa-silence","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/15\/iranian-footballers-killed-in-protests-as-former-national-team-captain-slams-fifa-silence","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"At least three Iranian footballers have been killed during protests that began December 28, prompting Iran's former national team captain to criticise FIFA for its silence over the deaths of athletes.\n\nMojtaba Torshiz, a former player for Tractor Tabriz, and his wife were killed during protests Thursday in Qaemshahr, Mazandaran province, northern Iran, according to local sources.\n\nUnofficial reports said the couple were shot by security forces. Iranian authorities have provided no explanation for the incident.\n\nThe couple had two children. Some sources said Torshiz's wife, Arezoo Madani, is still alive despite serious injuries.\n\nTorshiz had previously played for Nassaji Mazandaran, Tractor Tabriz, Fajr Sepasi Shiraz and Mes Kerman.\n\nMasoud Shojaei, former captain of Iran's national football team, criticised FIFA for its silence over the killing of Iranian athletes during protests.\n\nIn an Instagram post, he addressed the world football governing body and asked when it would finally respond, referring to the killing of three footballers during demonstrations.\n\nIran\u2019s national football team is set to play in the United States this summer as part of the 2026 World Cup, also held in Mexico and Canada.\n\nSaeid Mahmoudizad Azari, former CEO of Iranian football clubs Zob Ahan, Foolad and Nassaji, reacted to what he described as crimes of the Islamic Republic by posting a story on Instagram.\n\nHe described the killing of thousands of people as genocide and wrote: \"They labeled protesters as rioters, and then labeled rioters as terrorists, to create a pretext for the massacre of the people of this country.\"\n\nAzari added: \"Those hands that pulled the trigger, and those minds that gave the orders, should be certain that a severe reckoning lies ahead.\"\n\n'Shot from behind at close range'\n\nRebin Moradi, a 17-year-old football talent, was killed in Parand near Tehran. His father said forensic authorities told him his son had been shot from behind at close range.\n\nThe bullet passed through the teenager's chest and killed him, according to the father. Moradi wore the number 8 jersey for Saipa's youth team.\n\nSecurity forces initially conditioned the release of the 17-year-old's body on his father agreeing to give an interview to Iran's state broadcaster and claim his son had been killed by \"rioters,\" according to reports.\n\nOne day later, state television aired an interview with Moradi's father, also known as Mobin Moradi, who in tears said: \"He was shot from close range.\"\n\nThe Moradi family is originally from Salas-e Babajani in Kermanshah province and moved to Tehran years earlier, according to reports.\n\nAmir Mohammad Kouhkan, a futsal goalkeeper and coach, was killed by direct gunfire during street protests in Fars province.\n\nIn his final Instagram post, shared hours before his death, he posted a scene from Martin Scorsese's film Taxi Driver in which Robert De Niro, playing Travis Bickle, says: \"I don't know. I just wanna go out\u2026 I got some bad ideas in my head.\"\n\nHuman rights organisations have repeatedly warned about the rising number of protesters being killed, including teenagers and athletes, and called for independent, transparent and international investigations into the deaths.\n\nThe latest wave of protests in Iran began 28 December, sparked by demonstrations by shopkeepers at Tehran's Alaeddin shopping complex over a sudden rise in food prices caused by persistent hyperinflation, and quickly spread to other cities.\n\nFollowing a call by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, protests were met with violent repression by security forces. Widespread internet shutdowns were imposed as another measure to contain unrest.\n\nAccording to independent organisations, the protests have resulted in several thousand deaths, raising fears the toll could become one of the highest in Iran's recent history.\n\nUS President Donald Trump, who previously promised direct support for protesters in the event of government violence, said in his latest remarks he had been assured by \"reliable sources\" that the Iranian regime has stopped the killings and will not carry out executions.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>At least three Iranian footballers have been killed during protests that began December 28, prompting Iran's former national team captain to criticise FIFA for its silence over the deaths of athletes.<\/p>\n<p>Mojtaba Torshiz, a former player for Tractor Tabriz, and his wife were killed during protests Thursday in Qaemshahr, Mazandaran province, northern Iran, according to local sources. <\/p>\n<p>Unofficial reports said the couple were shot by security forces. Iranian authorities have provided no explanation for the incident.<\/p>\n<p>The couple had two children. Some sources said Torshiz's wife, Arezoo Madani, is still alive despite serious injuries.<\/p>\n<p>Torshiz had previously played for Nassaji Mazandaran, Tractor Tabriz, Fajr Sepasi Shiraz and Mes Kerman.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.2397003745318351\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//36//17//808x998_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg/" alt=\"Mojtaba Tarshiz with his family\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/384x476_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/640x793_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/750x930_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/828x1026_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/1080x1339_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/1200x1488_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/1920x2380_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mojtaba Tarshiz with his family<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">social media<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Masoud Shojaei, former captain of Iran's national football team, criticised FIFA for its silence over the killing of Iranian athletes during protests. <\/p>\n<p>In an Instagram post, he addressed the world football governing body and asked when it would finally respond, referring to the killing of three footballers during demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s national football team is set to play in the United States this summer as part of the 2026 World Cup, also held in Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Saeid Mahmoudizad Azari, former CEO of Iranian football clubs Zob Ahan, Foolad and Nassaji, reacted to what he described as crimes of the Islamic Republic by posting a story on Instagram. <\/p>\n<p>He described the killing of thousands of people as genocide and wrote: \"They labeled protesters as rioters, and then labeled rioters as terrorists, to create a pretext for the massacre of the people of this country.\"<\/p>\n<p>Azari added: \"Those hands that pulled the trigger, and those minds that gave the orders, should be certain that a severe reckoning lies ahead.\"<\/p>\n<h2>'Shot from behind at close range'<\/h2>\n<p>Rebin Moradi, a 17-year-old football talent, was killed in Parand near Tehran. His father said forensic authorities told him his son had been shot from behind at close range. <\/p>\n<p>The bullet passed through the teenager's chest and killed him, according to the father. Moradi wore the number 8 jersey for Saipa's youth team.<\/p>\n<p>Security forces initially conditioned the release of the 17-year-old's body on his father agreeing to give an interview to Iran's state broadcaster and claim his son had been killed by \"rioters,\" according to reports. <\/p>\n<p>One day later, state television aired an interview with Moradi's father, also known as Mobin Moradi, who in tears said: \"He was shot from close range.\"<\/p>\n<p>The Moradi family is originally from Salas-e Babajani in Kermanshah province and moved to Tehran years earlier, according to reports.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"2007585457803248116\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Amir Mohammad Kouhkan, a futsal goalkeeper and coach, was killed by direct gunfire during street protests in Fars province. <\/p>\n<p>In his final Instagram post, shared hours before his death, he posted a scene from Martin Scorsese's film Taxi Driver in which Robert De Niro, playing Travis Bickle, says: \"I don't know. I just wanna go out\u2026 I got some bad ideas in my head.\"<\/p>\n<p>Human rights organisations have repeatedly warned about the rising number of protesters being killed, including teenagers and athletes, and called for independent, transparent and international investigations into the deaths.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//14//iran-protest-death-toll-expected-to-rise-as-tehran-blames-terrorists/">Iran protest death toll expected to rise as Tehran blames 'terrorists'<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//15//iran-denies-death-sentence-for-protester-despite-tehrans-threat-of-fast-trials-and-executi/">Iran denies death sentence for protester despite Tehran's threat of fast trials and executions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The latest wave of protests in Iran began 28 December, sparked by demonstrations by shopkeepers at Tehran's Alaeddin shopping complex over a sudden rise in food prices caused by persistent hyperinflation, and quickly spread to other cities. <\/p>\n<p>Following a call by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, protests were met with violent repression by security forces. Widespread internet shutdowns were imposed as another measure to contain unrest.<\/p>\n<p>According to independent organisations, the protests have resulted in several thousand deaths, raising fears the toll could become one of the highest in Iran's recent history.<\/p>\n<p>US President Donald Trump, who previously promised direct support for protesters in the event of government violence, said in his latest remarks he had been assured by \"reliable sources\" that the Iranian regime has stopped the killings and will not carry out executions.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768466576,"updatedAt":1768475089,"publishedAt":1768474088,"firstPublishedAt":1768474088,"lastPublishedAt":1768475087,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"social media","altText":"left Mojtaba Tarshiz, right Rebin Moradi two footbalists benn killed during Iran unrest 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"left Mojtaba Tarshiz, right Rebin Moradi two footbalists benn killed during Iran unrest 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_61d68cea-2f5d-58c9-a13e-8f61f80254c0-9613617.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"social media","altText":"Mojtaba Tarshiz with his family","callToActionText":null,"width":1068,"caption":"Mojtaba Tarshiz with his family","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_99a29bfe-3b88-5c6a-92e4-a0842881828e-9613617.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1324},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"social media","altText":"Mojtaba Tarshiz with his family","callToActionText":null,"width":1315,"caption":"Mojtaba Tarshiz with his family","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/17\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_97c05df7-65f3-546d-9cea-0552c6aff4a8-9613617.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2000}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"kamiar","twitter":null,"id":1044,"title":"Babak Kamiar"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"protestas","titleRaw":"Protests","id":27110,"title":"Protests","slug":"protestas"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran-us-talks","titleRaw":"Iran-US negotiations","id":30476,"title":"Iran-US negotiations","slug":"iran-us-talks"},{"urlSafeValue":"us-iran-crisis","titleRaw":"US-Iran crisis","id":22392,"title":"US-Iran crisis","slug":"us-iran-crisis"},{"urlSafeValue":"footballer","titleRaw":"footballer","id":23680,"title":"footballer","slug":"footballer"},{"urlSafeValue":"victims","titleRaw":"Victims","id":5555,"title":"Victims","slug":"victims"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"twitter"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2861517},{"id":2862051},{"id":2860980}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/15\/iranian-footballers-killed-in-protests-as-former-national-team-captain-slams-fifa-silence","lastModified":1768475087},{"id":2862338,"cid":9613618,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"PROTESTER DEATH SENTENCE FOLLOWUP","daletPyramidId":3887821,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran denies death sentence for protester despite Tehran's threat of fast trials and executions","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Tehran denies death sentence for protester despite executions threat","titleListing2":"Iran denies death sentence for protester despite Tehran's fast trials and executions threat","leadin":"Earlier reports said Erfan Soltani's case proceeded over just a few days without a fair trial. He was denied access to a lawyer of his choice and other legal rights from arrest until sentencing.","summary":"Earlier reports said Erfan Soltani's case proceeded over just a few days without a fair trial. He was denied access to a lawyer of his choice and other legal rights from arrest until sentencing.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-denies-death-sentence-for-protester-despite-tehrans-threat-of-fast-trials-and-executi","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/15\/iran-denies-death-sentence-for-protester-despite-tehrans-threat-of-fast-trials-and-executi","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"An Iranian man arrested during protests who faced what activists warned was imminent execution has not been sentenced to death and is not facing charges that risk the death penalty, the judiciary said Thursday.\n\nErfan Soltani is imprisoned in Karaj outside Tehran after his arrest and is facing charges of propaganda against Iran's Islamic system and acting against national security, the judiciary said in a statement carried by state TV.\n\nHe has \"not been sentenced to death\" and if convicted, \"the punishment, according to the law, will be imprisonment, as the death penalty does not exist for such charges,\" it added.\n\nThe announcement contradicted earlier reports that Soltani, 26, would be executed Wednesday, less than a week after his 8 January arrest at his home in Fardis.\n\nHuman rights organisation Hengau had reported that judicial authorities informed Soltani's family four days after his arrest that a death sentence had been issued and confirmed.\n\nAuthorities ordered the family to visit Qazl-Hisar prison in Karaj on Tuesday to meet him, raising concerns this would be a final meeting before execution.\n\nReports said Soltani's case proceeded without minimum fair trial standards. He was denied access to a lawyer of his choice and other legal rights from arrest until sentencing.\n\nA source close to the family told Hengau that Soltani's sister, a barrister, applied to represent her brother and investigate his case but authorities prevented her from accessing the file. The family was kept unaware of the details of charges or the court process.\n\nHuman rights organisations expressed grave concern over the possible establishment of \"field courts\" and use of the death penalty to suppress protests. The groups called on international bodies to intervene.\n\nIran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei hinted at fast trials and executions for those detained in nationwide protests in a video Tuesday, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that he would \"take very strong action\" if executions take place.\n\nAt least 2,572 people have been killed in the crackdown so far, according to activists, with the death toll rising to levels unseen in decades.\n\nInsiders within Iran told Euronews the death toll is feared considerably higher, with as many as 15,000 Iranians feared dead as the Tehran regime reportedly increased its violent crackdown against demonstrations in recent days.\n\nTrump has previously warned Iran's leaders he was terminating any negotiations and would \"act accordingly.\"\n\nDetails of the crackdown began emerging Tuesday as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications countrywide when protests broke out and activists warned hangings of detainees could come soon.\n\nTrump said Wednesday that he's been told \"on good authority\" that plans for executions stopped, even as Tehran has indicated executions were to come in its crackdown on protesters.\n\n\"We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping \u2014 it's stopped \u2014 it's stopping,\" Trump said at the White House. \"And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions \u2014 so I've been told that on good authority.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>An Iranian man arrested during protests who faced what activists warned was imminent execution has not been sentenced to death and is not facing charges that risk the death penalty, the judiciary said Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Erfan Soltani is imprisoned in Karaj outside Tehran after his arrest and is facing charges of propaganda against Iran's Islamic system and acting against national security, the judiciary said in a statement carried by state TV.<\/p>\n<p>He has \"not been sentenced to death\" and if convicted, \"the punishment, according to the law, will be imprisonment, as the death penalty does not exist for such charges,\" it added.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement contradicted earlier reports that Soltani, 26, would be executed Wednesday, less than a week after his 8 January arrest at his home in Fardis.<\/p>\n<p>Human rights organisation Hengau had reported that judicial authorities informed Soltani's family four days after his arrest that a death sentence had been issued and confirmed. <\/p>\n<p>Authorities ordered the family to visit Qazl-Hisar prison in Karaj on Tuesday to meet him, raising concerns this would be a final meeting before execution.<\/p>\n<p>Reports said Soltani's case proceeded without minimum fair trial standards. He was denied access to a lawyer of his choice and other legal rights from arrest until sentencing.<\/p>\n<p>A source close to the family told Hengau that Soltani's sister, a barrister, applied to represent her brother and investigate his case but authorities prevented her from accessing the file. The family was kept unaware of the details of charges or the court process.<\/p>\n<p>Human rights organisations expressed grave concern over the possible establishment of \"field courts\" and use of the death penalty to suppress protests. The groups called on international bodies to intervene.<\/p>\n<p>Iran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei hinted at fast trials and executions for those detained in nationwide protests in a video Tuesday, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that he would \"take very strong action\" if executions take place.<\/p>\n<p>At least 2,572 people have been killed in the crackdown so far, according to activists, with the death toll rising to levels unseen in decades.<\/p>\n<p>Insiders within Iran told Euronews the death toll is feared considerably higher, with as many as 15,000 Iranians feared dead as the Tehran regime reportedly increased its violent crackdown against demonstrations in recent days.<\/p>\n<p>Trump has previously warned Iran's leaders he was terminating any negotiations and would \"act accordingly.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//14//tehran-blames-terrorists-for-deaths-of-demonstrators-in-iran/">Tehran blames 'terrorists' for deaths of demonstrators in Iran<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//14//iran-set-to-execute-protester-days-after-arrest-as-tehran-speeds-up-death-sentences/">Iran set to execute protester days after arrest as Tehran speeds up death sentences<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Details of the crackdown began emerging Tuesday as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications countrywide when protests broke out and activists warned hangings of detainees could come soon. <\/p>\n<p>Trump said Wednesday that he's been told \"on good authority\" that plans for executions stopped, even as Tehran has indicated executions were to come in its crackdown on protesters.<\/p>\n<p>\"We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping \u2014 it's stopped \u2014 it's stopping,\" Trump said at the White House. \"And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions \u2014 so I've been told that on good authority.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768466685,"updatedAt":1768495211,"publishedAt":1768467553,"firstPublishedAt":1768467553,"lastPublishedAt":1768467553,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/36\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0eb72229-2d33-5c16-ae27-2640bbd6bd45-9613618.jpg","altText":"Erfan Soltani, undated","caption":"Erfan Soltani, undated","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Cleared","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1500,"height":843}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":153,"slug":"iran","urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","titleRaw":"Iran"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"},{"id":8335,"slug":"execution","urlSafeValue":"execution","title":"Execution","titleRaw":"Execution"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"2xGydj2xbrY","dailymotionId":"x9xuazi"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":16891745,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/33\/97\/76\/02\/SHD_PYR_3397762_20260115164012.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":48680368,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/33\/97\/76\/02\/FHD_PYR_3397762_20260115164012.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/15\/iran-denies-death-sentence-for-protester-despite-tehrans-threat-of-fast-trials-and-executi","lastModified":1768467553},{"id":2862262,"cid":9613332,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"LATEST UPDATE ON IRAN US TENSIONS","daletPyramidId":3885970,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Iran closes airspace for hours as Trump claims executions halted","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Iran closes airspace for hours as Trump claims executions halted","titleListing2":"Iran closes airspace for hours as Trump claims executions halted","leadin":"The airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to \"temporarily halt\" going to multiple military bases in the Gulf nation.","summary":"The airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to \"temporarily halt\" going to multiple military bases in the Gulf nation.","keySentence":"","url":"iran-closes-airspace-to-commercial-flights-for-hours-as-tensions-with-us-remain-high-over-","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/15\/iran-closes-airspace-to-commercial-flights-for-hours-as-tensions-with-us-remain-high-over-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Iran restricted its airspace to commercial planes for more than four hours early Thursday, providing no explanation as tensions with the United States remained high over Tehran's suppression of demonstrations.\n\nThe closure came as US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has not ruled out military action against Iran.\n\nAccording to pilot guidance issued by Iran, which lies on a key East-West flight route, the closure saw international carriers diverted north and south around the country.\n\n\"Several airlines have already reduced or suspended services, and most carriers are avoiding Iranian airspace,\" said SafeAirspace, a website that provides information on conflict areas and air travel.\n\n\"The situation may signal further security or military activity, including the risk of missile launches or heightened air defence, increasing the risk of misidentification of civil traffic.\"\n\nMedia reports suggest the closure, which rippled through global aviation, appeared to have expired after one extension. Several domestic flights were in the air just after 7 am local time.\n\nThe airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to \"temporarily halt\" going to multiple military bases in the Gulf nation.\n\nIran previously shut its airspace during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June, when it exchanged fire with Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.\n\nTrump claims killing of Iran protesters \u2018has stopped\u2019\n\nTrump said Wednesday he had been told plans for executions in Iran have stopped, without providing details. The shift came a day after Trump told protesters in Iran that \"help is on the way\" and his administration would \"act accordingly\" to respond to the Islamic Republic's deadly crackdown.\n\nIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sought to tone down the rhetoric, urging the US to find a solution through negotiation.\n\nAsked by Fox News what he would say to Trump, Araghchi said: \"My message is: Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don't have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war.\"\n\nThe change in tone between Washington and Tehran came hours after the chief of the Iranian judiciary said the government must act quickly to punish thousands who have been detained.\n\nActivists warned hangings of detainees could come soon. Trump made a vague statement Wednesday that he's been told \"on good authority\" that plans for executions stopped, even as Tehran has indicated fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters.\n\n\"We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping \u2014 it's stopped \u2014 it's stopping,\" Trump said at the White House while signing executive orders and legislation. \"And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions \u2014 so I've been told that on good authority.\"\n\nNearly 3,500 people have been killed in Iran's security forces' crackdown on demonstrations, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.\n\nThe death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.\n\nInsiders within Iran have told Euronews that the death toll is feared to be considerably higher, with as many as 15,000 Iranians killed as the Tehran regime reportedly further increased its violent crackdown against the demonstrations in recent days.\n\nTrump, who has vowed to act militarily on the issue, on Monday imposed 25 per cent tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran and urged Iranians to keep protesting, saying \"help is on the way\" and his administration would \"act accordingly.\"\n\nThe US president has not offered details about how the US might respond. It remains unclear whether he would follow through on threats of military action and what that might entail.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Iran restricted its airspace to commercial planes for more than four hours early Thursday, providing no explanation as tensions with the United States remained high over Tehran's suppression of demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>The closure came as US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has not ruled out military action against Iran.<\/p>\n<p>According to pilot guidance issued by Iran, which lies on a key East-West flight route, the closure saw international carriers diverted north and south around the country.<\/p>\n<p>\"Several airlines have already reduced or suspended services, and most carriers are avoiding Iranian airspace,\" said SafeAirspace, a website that provides information on conflict areas and air travel.<\/p>\n<p>\"The situation may signal further security or military activity, including the risk of missile launches or heightened air defence, increasing the risk of misidentification of civil traffic.\"<\/p>\n<p>Media reports suggest the closure, which rippled through global aviation, appeared to have expired after one extension. Several domestic flights were in the air just after 7 am local time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//33//32//808x539_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters hold up placards with pictures of victims as they demonstrate in support of anti-government protests in Iran, outside Downing Street, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14,\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/384x256_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/640x427_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/750x500_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/828x552_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/1080x720_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/1200x800_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/1920x1281_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters hold up placards with pictures of victims as they demonstrate in support of anti-government protests in Iran, outside Downing Street, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14,<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Kin Cheung\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to \"temporarily halt\" going to multiple military bases in the Gulf nation.<\/p>\n<p>Iran previously shut its airspace during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June, when it exchanged fire with Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.<\/p>\n<h2>Trump claims killing of Iran protesters \u2018has stopped\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Trump said Wednesday he had been told plans for executions in Iran have stopped, without providing details. The shift came a day after Trump told protesters in Iran that \"help is on the way\" and his administration would \"act accordingly\" to respond to the Islamic Republic's deadly crackdown.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sought to tone down the rhetoric, urging the US to find a solution through negotiation.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by Fox News what he would say to Trump, Araghchi said: \"My message is: Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don't have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war.\"<\/p>\n<p>The change in tone between Washington and Tehran came hours after the chief of the Iranian judiciary said the government must act quickly to punish thousands who have been detained.<\/p>\n<p>Activists warned hangings of detainees could come soon. Trump made a vague statement Wednesday that he's been told \"on good authority\" that plans for executions stopped, even as Tehran has indicated fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters.<\/p>\n<p>\"We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping \u2014 it's stopped \u2014 it's stopping,\" Trump said at the White House while signing executive orders and legislation. \"And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions \u2014 so I've been told that on good authority.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//14//us-military-intervention-could-have-decisive-effect-on-dynamics-inside-iran-says-john-bolt/">US military intervention could have \u2018decisive effect\u2019 on dynamics inside Iran, says John Bolton<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2026//01//14//at-least-3428-killed-in-iranian-security-crackdown-on-protesters-rights-group-says/">At least 3,428 killed in Iranian security crackdown on protesters, rights group says<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Nearly 3,500 people have been killed in Iran's security forces' crackdown on demonstrations, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.<\/p>\n<p>The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>Insiders within Iran have told Euronews that the death toll is feared to be considerably higher, with as many as 15,000 Iranians killed as the Tehran regime reportedly further increased its violent crackdown against the demonstrations in recent days.<\/p>\n<p>Trump, who has vowed to act militarily on the issue, on Monday imposed 25 per cent tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran and urged Iranians to keep protesting, saying \"help is on the way\" and his administration would \"act accordingly.\"<\/p>\n<p>The US president has not offered details about how the US might respond. It remains unclear whether he would follow through on threats of military action and what that might entail.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768449461,"updatedAt":1768465044,"publishedAt":1768455056,"firstPublishedAt":1768455056,"lastPublishedAt":1768465043,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jonas Walzberg\/(c) Copyright 2023, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten","altText":"FILE- Police cars stay in front of an Iran Air aircraft at the Hamburg Airport in Hamburg, Germany, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"FILE- Police cars stay in front of an Iran Air aircraft at the Hamburg Airport in Hamburg, Germany, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_75b199b7-befe-5928-b03b-baae2d8663e3-9613332.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":681},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Kin Cheung\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved","altText":"Protesters hold up placards with pictures of victims as they demonstrate in support of anti-government protests in Iran, outside Downing Street, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14,","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Protesters hold up placards with pictures of victims as they demonstrate in support of anti-government protests in Iran, outside Downing Street, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14,","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/33\/32\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a7e03a87-0722-5e42-9cac-2b13da18a616-9613332.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"fisayo","twitter":"@fisayobambi","id":957,"title":"Jerry Fisayo-Bambi"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"iran-and-usa","titleRaw":"Iran and Usa","id":11976,"title":"Iran and Usa","slug":"iran-and-usa"},{"urlSafeValue":"iran","titleRaw":"Iran","id":153,"title":"Iran","slug":"iran"},{"urlSafeValue":"protestas","titleRaw":"Protests","id":27110,"title":"Protests","slug":"protestas"},{"urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump","id":11900,"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump"},{"urlSafeValue":"ali-khamenei","titleRaw":"Ali Khamenei","id":9899,"title":"Ali Khamenei","slug":"ali-khamenei"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2862075},{"id":2862051}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":153,"urlSafeValue":"iran","title":"Iran","url":"\/news\/asia\/iran"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/15\/iran-closes-airspace-to-commercial-flights-for-hours-as-tensions-with-us-remain-high-over-","lastModified":1768465043}]">

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How has Iran’s environmental crisis fuelled nationwide protests?

Iran’s protests are often framed as economic, political or ideological. Yet a deeper ecological crisis is eroding the fabric of society.

15/01/2026

Iran

Footballers die in protests as ex-Iran team captain slams FIFA silence

Media and human rights reports indicate that several footballers have been killed during Iran’s recent protests, developments that have once again raised serious concerns about the widespread use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.

15/01/2026

Iran

Tehran denies death sentence for protester despite executions threat

Earlier reports said Erfan Soltani's case proceeded over just a few days without a fair trial. He was denied access to a lawyer of his choice and other legal rights from arrest until sentencing.

15/01/2026

Iran

Iran closes airspace for hours as Trump claims executions halted

The airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to "temporarily halt" going to multiple military bases in the Gulf nation.

15/01/2026