At a Friday briefing, U.S
By Sammy,
At a Friday briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that 32,000 people were killed during recent protests in Iran, a number far higher than previously reported. He gave no source but said, "the people of Iran are very different than the leaders of Iran" and called the situation "a very, very, very sad situation." Trump also said he warned Tehran that "if you hang one person, even one person, that you're going to be hit right then and there," referring to planned executions that were ultimately canceled.
The protests erupted nationwide in January, with January 8 and 9 reportedly the deadliest days. A sweeping internet blackout has made independent verification difficult, but two sources, including one inside Iran, told CBS News that at least 12,000, and possibly as many as 20,000 people were killed. One witness described what sounded like a massacre in a public square during the crackdown.
Iranian officials have offered a sharply lower estimate. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the government released a list of 3,117 people, which he called "victims of recent terrorist operation," including about 200 security personnel. Araghchi added, "If anyone disputes accuracy of our data, please share any evidence," claiming that hundreds of those killed were "terrorists armed and funded by the US and Israel."
Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, said that "more than 20,000 civilians may have been killed," but emphasized that the communications blackout imposed by Iranian authorities makes it difficult to verify the true scale of casualties. Her assessment aligns with other reports suggesting that many of those killed were ordinary citizens.
As the death toll remains disputed, the US has continued to pressure Iran on its nuclear program. Trump said Friday that Tehran must "better negotiate a fair deal," while the risk of broader conflict grows. Countries such as Serbia have advised their citizens to leave Iran immediately amid the ongoing unrest.
Topics: Iran, Diplomacy
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.