Deaths linked to nationwide protests in Iran have risen to more than 500, according to a U.S.-based rights group HRANA, as Tehran warned it would retaliate against U.S. military targets if Washington intervenes.
HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel during two weeks of unrest, citing activists inside and outside Iran. More than 10,600 people have been arrested. Iranian authorities have not released an official toll, and the figures could not be independently confirmed.
The protests began on 28 December over rising prices and quickly turned into broader demonstrations against Iran’s clerical leadership, the biggest since 2022.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of possible U.S. action if force is used against protesters. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is due to be briefed this week on options that include military strikes, cyber operations, tougher sanctions and online support for opposition groups.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf cautioned Washington against what he called a ‘miscalculation’, saying any attack on Iran would make U.S. bases, ships and Israel legitimate targets.
Israel, which fought a 12-day war with Iran last year alongside limited U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, has raised its alert level. Israeli officials say they view the protests as an internal Iranian issue but are monitoring developments closely and are ready to respond if needed.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran’s enemies were behind the unrest, accusing them of bringing in ‘terrorists’ who attacked mosques, banks and public property. He urged families to keep young people away from violence, while saying the government was ready to listen to public grievances and address economic problems.
Opposition figures abroad have urged Iranians to keep protesting. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, praised what he called the courage of protesters, while Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran said demonstrators were reshaping the country’s political landscape.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' As...
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to ...
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 2...
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecu...
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (...
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to see if America is "truly serious about diplomacy". Israel's armed forces has launched a missle attack into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into north Israel.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war suffered a setback on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned envoy visit to Pakistan for talks, even as parallel regional diplomacy continued and military tensions escalated in Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (25 April), in an assault apparently involving jihadist and Tuareg-led groups.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment