Tehran/Washington, 11 January (Agency). The protests that began in Iran on 28 December against inflation have intensified. The people's anger has flared up after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the protesters rioters. The entire country is gripped by violence. There has been significant loss of life and property in clashes between security forces and civilians. Government property has been set on fire in several places. Expressing concern over the killing of people in firing, US President Donald Trump has hinted at freeing Iran from Khamenei.
Iran International has detailed the current situation in Iran in a report based on various video footage. Sources said that Iran's security forces are using lethal force against protesters across the country. Initial estimates suggest that a large number of people have been killed. Internet services have been suspended in the country since 8 January. Video footage received from Kahrezak, south of Tehran, shows several bodies. Similar videos have been sent from Ferdows, Karaj, and the Al-Ghadir Hospital in eastern Tehran, which also show bodies. Iran International's report estimates that at least 2,000 people have been killed in the last 48 hours. According to a doctor in the northern city of Rasht, at least 70 bodies were brought to a single hospital. The western provinces of Ilam and Kermanshah are also gripped by violence.
According to the report, instead of acknowledging public anger or talking to the people, Iran's leadership has taken a tough stance to deal with the protesters. State television says the situation is fully under control. On Friday, people were even threatened on state television. Parents were told, "If they care about the safety of their children, keep them away from the streets." Channel-3, one of Iran's most-watched channels, has described the unrest as a planned attack on the country. Protesters demanding basic civil rights have been condemned. Pictures show security forces firing tear gas and bullets at the crowd. Tehran Mayor Ali Reza Zakani said protesters in the capital set fire to dozens of buses and government buildings. "These are not protesters, they are terrorists."
Iran's state television aired a speech by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the previous day. Khamenei accused the protesters of working on behalf of foreign enemies and vowed to deal with them forcefully. Some channels only showed the violence by the protesters. People's anger has increased so much that they are ready to destroy even the government's revered symbols. For example, statues of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani have been toppled.
Iran is looking towards freedom, and the US is ready to help. This was stated by US President Donald Trump in a post on his Truth Social account on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, Trump had reposted a post by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on Truth Social, in which he praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for supporting the protesters and used the slogan "Make Iran Great Again." Graham had said, "Help is on the way. President Trump is ready to free Iran. The Iranian people's dream of freedom will soon come true." Additionally, US House Representative Claudia Tenney said, "Please pray with me for the brave men and women standing up against a violent government in Iran." The New York Republican representative said on her X account, "Families are losing their sons and daughters for peacefully protesting against a brutal dictator. This is not the time to be silent. Silence only empowers the killers."
According to a report by Fox News, several airlines, including Lufthansa, Fly Dubai, Turkish Airlines, Aegean, Pegasus, Qatar Airways, and Austrian Airlines, have canceled and suspended their flights to Iran.
