The United Nations Security Council has convened an urgent session to address the recent violent demonstrations in Iran following a request from the United States. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has not specified any concrete actions against Iran, despite the Islamic Republic’s threat to retaliate against aggression.
Trump mentioned that there were reports of a decrease in fatalities resulting from Iran’s crackdown on protests and suggested that there were no immediate plans for widespread executions, despite his previous warnings of potential intervention. He expressed optimism upon hearing that an Iranian protester no longer faced a death sentence.
Both Iran and its Western adversaries have characterized the protests as the most severe since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that established Iran’s Shia clerical system. Iranian authorities have alleged that what started as legitimate economic protests escalated into unrest incited by foreign enemies, accusing individuals they labeled as terrorists of attacking security forces and public property.
The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, affirmed the U.S.’s support for the Iranian people during the Security Council meeting, emphasizing that President Trump is prepared to consider all options to halt the violence in Iran. Waltz dismissed Iran’s claims that the protests were orchestrated as a prelude to military action, asserting that the regime is spreading falsehoods due to fear of the Iranian populace.
In response, Iran’s Deputy UN Ambassador, Gholamhossein Darzi, stated that Iran seeks to avoid escalation but will respond decisively to any form of aggression, whether direct or indirect. The situation in Iran has seen a turn following reports that a protester arrested in Karaj will not face the death penalty, as previously anticipated.
The U.S. escalated pressure on Tehran by imposing sanctions on five Iranian officials allegedly involved in the crackdown, with a focus on tracking financial transactions of Iranian leaders worldwide. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department targeted the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security and commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement forces.
President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the economic grievances that triggered the protests and pledged to address corruption and currency issues to enhance the purchasing power of disadvantaged citizens. Despite these efforts, Washington took further action by imposing sanctions on Fardis Prison for its reported mistreatment of female inmates, with the Group of Seven countries prepared to implement more restrictions if Iran continues its crackdown.
As tensions escalated, Iran warned neighboring countries of potential strikes against American bases, prompting the U.S. to withdraw personnel from regional bases. Trump acknowledged reports of a decline in casualties from the crackdown and did not rule out military intervention, highlighting the receipt of a positive message from Iran.
The security alert at the U.S. Al Udeid airbase in Qatar was lowered after an increase triggered the day before. In the midst of the unrest, exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi emerged as a notable figure, although his leadership within Iran remains uncertain. Reports indicated the deaths of numerous protesters and government-affiliated individuals, with one of the casualties identified as a Canadian citizen, prompting Canada to condemn Iran’s actions and support Iranian demonstrators’ rights.