Overview
- Protests that began on December 28 over economic collapse have spread across major cities into a third week despite a sustained internet shutdown reported by NetBlocks to exceed 60 hours.
- Rights monitors cite about 116 deaths and more than 2,500 detentions, while activist groups warn the toll could be higher but stress that verification is constrained by the blackout.
- Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Israel and U.S. bases would be "legitimate targets" if Washington attacks and suggested preemptive action could be taken based on perceived threats.
- President Donald Trump posted that the United States is "ready to help" protesters, and U.S. media reports say he has been briefed on possible strike options, though no decision has been announced; Israeli officials are reported to be on high alert.
- Iranian authorities have labeled demonstrators as rioters or terrorists, the attorney general has invoked charges carrying the death penalty, and state outlets report dozens of security personnel killed, with Tasnim citing 109.