Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The death toll from Iran’s ongoing crackdown on nationwide protests has risen to at least 538 people, according to activists, amid growing fears of further violence as authorities intensify security measures and issue warnings to the United States and Israel.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said on Sunday that at least 490 protesters and 48 members of Iran’s security forces have been killed since demonstrations erupted two weeks ago. The group also reported that more than 10,600 people have been detained. The organization, which relies on a network of sources inside Iran to crosscheck information, has previously provided casualty figures that broadly aligned with later independent assessments during past unrest.
Independent verification remains difficult as Iranian authorities have imposed widespread internet shutdowns and disrupted phone services. The government has not released official nationwide casualty figures, raising concerns among rights groups and observers abroad that the information blackout is enabling an increasingly violent response by hardline elements within the security apparatus.
Despite the heavy security presence, protests continued on Sunday in Tehran and Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city. Demonstrations were also reported in other urban centers, including Kerman. Videos shared online, some believed to have been transmitted via satellite internet services, appeared to show scattered nighttime gatherings in northern Tehran, where protesters waved illuminated mobile phones, banged on metal objects, and set off fireworks as security forces restricted movement in surrounding streets.
According to activists, protest tactics have shifted toward brief, mobile demonstrations in response to heightened surveillance, including the reported use of drones to monitor crowds. In Mashhad, footage circulating online appeared to show confrontations between protesters and security forces, though the authenticity of the videos could not be independently confirmed.
The unrest has triggered sharp rhetoric from Iranian officials. During a parliamentary session, Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that U.S. military forces and Israel would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington were to use force to protect demonstrators. He said any perceived threat to Iran could prompt a preemptive response, prompting lawmakers to chant anti-American slogans inside the chamber.
The threats come as U.S. President Donald Trump publicly voiced support for Iranian protesters, posting on social media that the United States “stands ready to help.” According to people familiar with internal White House discussions, the administration has weighed a range of potential responses, including cyber operations and possible strikes by the U.S. or Israel, though no decisions have been announced.
The U.S. military has said its forces in the Middle East remain fully prepared to defend American personnel, partners, and interests. Iran previously targeted U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, while the U.S. Fifth Fleet remains stationed in Bahrain. Israeli officials said they are closely monitoring developments, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that included discussions on Iran.
International concern has continued to mount. Pope Leo XIV referenced Iran during remarks at the Vatican, expressing hope for dialogue and peace. The United Nations said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “shocked” by reports of widespread violence against protesters and urged Iranian authorities to exercise restraint and restore communications.
Inside Iran, state television has sought to project calm, airing reports from selected cities while excluding footage from Tehran and Mashhad. Officials have accused demonstrators of violence, with senior figures likening some actions to tactics used by the Islamic State group. State media has broadcast funerals for slain security personnel and reported additional deaths in provinces including Fars, Kermanshah, and North Khorasan.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who initially signaled openness to dialogue, adopted a firmer tone in remarks aired Sunday, saying that while public grievances should be addressed, authorities would not allow unrest to destabilize society.
The protests began on Dec. 28 following the sharp collapse of Iran’s currency, with the rial trading at more than 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar, reflecting deep economic strain exacerbated by international sanctions linked to Iran’s nuclear program. What started as economic demonstrations has since evolved into broader calls challenging Iran’s political and religious leadership, marking one of the most serious episodes of unrest in recent years.
