Thousands of people are feared to have died in Iran following an intense crackdown on anti-government protests. Iranians who have managed to contact relatives abroad for the first time in several days describe devastating levels of death and destruction.
An Iranian security official told Reuters that the death toll could be around 2,000 people, a figure that reportedly includes members of the security forces.
According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, one detained protester, Efran Sultani, aged 26, was arrested last Thursday and is reportedly scheduled to be executed tomorrow. The group stated that it has “never witnessed a case move so quickly.”
Protests have been ongoing across Iran for more than two weeks. While state media claimed that demonstrations had subsided overnight, the BBC has received video footage from individuals who say protests continued in several locations.
In response to the crackdown, US President Donald Trump announced that countries doing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on trade with the United States.
According to CBS, the BBC’s US partner, Trump’s national security team is expected to meet at the White House to discuss possible actions regarding Iran. Officials say the president has already been briefed on a range of military and covert options.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister stated that the country is “ready for any action.” European nations have summoned Iranian ambassadors, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the world is “witnessing the final days and weeks” of the Iranian regime.
Although some international calls from Iran have resumed, the ongoing internet blackout continues to make independent verification of information from inside the country extremely difficult.
Sources: BBC News, Reuters, CBS News.