"62 dead in protests" Iran gripped by fear… Trump issues direct warning

Iran protest death toll rises by 20 in a day

Tehran Prosecutor’s Office: "Those who clash with authorities will be sentenced to death"

Protests in Iran over economic hardship are spreading, with the death toll surging.

According to the Associated Press and other outlets on the 9th (local time), the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said a total of 62 people—civilians as well as soldiers and police—have been killed since the protests began on the 28th of last month. The death toll rose by 20 in just one day.

Iran Human Rights (IHR), a Norway-based group, also said 51 people had been killed as of that day, adding that it is verifying reports of dozens more deaths.

Iran’s leadership says it will not shy away from a hard-line crackdown. In parts of Iran, pro-government forces were also seen staging counter-rallies. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a televised address on state media, referred to protesters as “rioters” and “vandals,” vowing, “We will never back down.”

In particular, the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office said it would impose the death penalty on those who clash with authorities or commit sabotage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is visiting Lebanon, claimed it was “started by the United States and Israel,” and that “they are directly intervening in Iran’s protests.” However, he said he saw little likelihood of U.S. or Israeli military intervention in Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at possible involvement in the Iran situation. Trump stressed, “If they start killing people like they did in the past, we will intervene.”

He made clear, however, that the involvement he referred to would not include deploying U.S. troops. Trump added, “I don’t mean sending in ground forces—I mean hitting the enemy very hard at the place where it hurts the most.”

Byoung-gi Jin, Hankyung.com reporter young71@hankyung.com