The United Nations Security Council has called for an urgent session to address the violent protests in Iran following a request from the United States. President Donald Trump has not specified his course of action against Iran, which has pledged to retaliate against any aggression. On Thursday, Trump mentioned that reports indicated a decrease in casualties from Iran’s crackdown on demonstrations, adding that there were no immediate plans for widespread executions, despite prior hints of intervention.
Both Iran and its Western adversaries have characterized the recent unrest as the most severe since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that established Iran’s Shia clerical regime. The Iranian government claims that what began as legitimate economic protests escalated into orchestrated violence by foreign elements, labeling them as terrorists targeting security forces and public assets.
Trump has consistently expressed support for Iranian protesters but has been cautious about the nature of potential intervention. The U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, affirmed American solidarity with the Iranian people at the Security Council meeting, emphasizing that all options were under consideration to halt the violence.
Iran’s Deputy UN Ambassador, Gholamhossein Darzi, refuted accusations of foreign involvement in the protests, denouncing what he perceived as misinformation aimed at concealing the true nature of Iran’s internal situation. He warned against any form of aggression, promising a resolute and lawful response from Iran.
In a positive development, Iran’s state media reported that a 26-year-old protester detained in Karaj would not face the death penalty, contradicting earlier reports. The demonstrations in Iran have reportedly subsided since Monday, partly due to a week-long internet blackout hindering communication.
The U.S. escalated pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions on Iranian officials linked to the crackdown, as well as targeting financial transactions of Iranian leaders globally. The Group of Seven nations also signaled readiness to implement additional sanctions if Iran continues its repressive actions.
President Trump indicated that sources informed him of a reduction in casualties from the protests in Iran. While not ruling out military action, Trump mentioned a positive communication received from Iran. Notably, a Canadian citizen was reported among the casualties, prompting Canada to condemn Iran’s crackdown and advocate for the rights of Iranian demonstrators.
The situation remains tense, with Iran warning neighboring countries of retaliation against U.S. strikes and the U.S. adjusting its military presence in the region. Amid this uncertainty, the international community closely monitors the developments in Iran.