Protests Spread Across Iran Amid Warnings and Threats Between U.S. and Iranian Regime
Protests have spread to at least 44 cities across 19 provinces in Iran, marking six days of unrest with escalating violence, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). At least eight people have died in the past two days; the youngest victim was reportedly 15 years old, though independent verification is not available.
Violence has been reported in western Iran, with fires and gunfire occurring at night. Protesters in cities including Marvdasht, Semirom, Darreh-Shahr, Ramhormoz, and Azna have participated in demonstrations, with some burning a statue of Qassem Soleimani in Lali. In Zahedan, following Friday prayers, demonstrators chanted anti-regime slogans such as 'Death to the dictator' and 'Death to Khamenei.'
The unrest is described by some as Iran's most significant since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests; however, officials have indicated that the current unrest is not on the same scale.
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the U.S. have heightened. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that U.S. forces and regional bases would be considered legitimate targets if Washington intervenes.
On his part, former President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. would act if Iran violently suppresses demonstrators and affirmed the U.S. is prepared for action. There are approximately 40,000 active-duty U.S. troops and civilian personnel stationed across the Middle East in locations such as Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria.
Maryam Rajavi, NCRI president-elect, has urged protesters to continue their movement and warned clerics and security forces that the opposition seeks to overthrow the regime and refuses to be silenced.
