Iran has seen a temporary return to calm after a series of protests that resulted in a violent crackdown by authorities. A senior hard-line cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, called on Friday for the death penalty for detained demonstrators, highlighting the government’s ongoing anger towards dissent. This development coincided with a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed gratitude that Iran had not proceeded with the execution of hundreds of protestors. Trump’s remarks suggest a potential shift in U.S. policy, moving away from military intervention.
The protests, which began on December 28, 2022, in response to Iran’s struggling economy, evolved into a broader challenge against the nation’s theocratic regime. Despite the apparent suppression, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported a death toll of 3,090 from the unrest, the highest in decades and reminiscent of the chaos surrounding the 1979 revolution. This figure has not been independently verified, as Iran’s government has not released its own casualty counts.
Cleric’s Speech Ignites Calls for Action
In a sermon broadcast by Iranian state radio, Khatami referred to the protestors as “butlers” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “Trump’s soldiers.” He urged for severe repercussions against those involved in the demonstrations, declaring, “Armed hypocrites should be put to death.” His inflammatory comments came amidst efforts by global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, to ease tensions in the region.
Trump’s earlier comments about assisting the protestors have fueled speculation about a potential U.S. military response. Diplomats from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have raised concerns that military action could disrupt the global economy and exacerbate instability in the Middle East. As protests seem to diminish within Iran, exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for continued resistance and urged protestors to take to the streets again from Saturday to Monday.
Pahlavi, whose family was overthrown during the 1979 revolution, remains optimistic about U.S. support, stating, “I believe the president is a man of his word.” He has struggled to gain traction among Iranians, despite his calls for unity against the current regime.
Damage Reports and Ongoing Unrest
Khatami’s sermon also included the first official estimates of the damage caused by the protests, claiming that 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls, and numerous vehicles belonging to emergency services were impacted. These figures underscore the extent of the unrest and the anger directed toward symbols of the Iranian government.
Despite the apparent quiet in Tehran, thousands of exiled Iranians and their supporters have demonstrated in cities across Europe, voicing their discontent with the Iranian authorities. Many Iranians have sought to bypass the ongoing internet blackout by crossing borders to communicate with the outside world. One traveler, identified only as Mehdi, expressed his intention to return to Iran once internet access is restored.
Additionally, reports from a Kurdish separatist group in Iraq indicate that they have launched attacks against Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for the government’s crackdown on protestors. This development highlights the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring countries.
In a tense and evolving situation, the Iranian government is grappling with the aftermath of widespread unrest, while calls for accountability and justice continue from various factions, both within and outside the country.
