Overview
- Demonstrations that began over economic collapse have spread nationwide, with ISW-CTP tracking roughly 300 protests since December 28 across dozens of cities.
- Rights groups report at least 17 deaths over the past week, with additional injuries and arrests as clashes with security forces continue.
- President Trump said Iran would be “hit very hard” if forces kill protesters, as the State Department’s Persian X account warned, “Don’t mess with President Trump.”
- Iranian officials denounced U.S. statements as interference and vowed firm action against “rioters,” while the country conducted missile and air-defense exercises.
- Multiple outlets cite an intelligence report that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a contingency plan to flee to Moscow if security forces falter, as officials say the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro narrowed Tehran’s options.