Death toll in Iran protests: Shocking statistics and US-European escalation
Recent human rights reports have revealed a horrific escalation in violence against protesters in Iran. The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights (IHR) reports that the death toll since the outbreak of anti-government protests has reached at least 734. Estimates suggest the actual number could be much higher, perhaps reaching into the thousands, given the media blackout and the difficulty of documenting all cases across Iran's various cities and provinces.
Shocking figures and a bloody context
The human rights organization stated that it continues to receive daily reports of new casualties, more than two weeks after the start of the popular uprising. This violent crackdown is part of a recurring pattern employed by Iranian authorities in response to popular protests, reminiscent of previous campaigns of repression in the country over the past years, which often resulted in large numbers of casualties and the arrest of thousands.
The historical background of the protests in Iran indicates that the use of excessive force is the regime’s first security option, which usually fuels popular anger rather than containing it, and pushes the international community to take a tougher stance towards Tehran.
European move and anticipated sanctions
On the diplomatic front, the European Union has begun taking practical steps to express its rejection of Iranian practices. A European official confirmed that the Iranian ambassador in Brussels had been summoned to receive a formal protest. Simultaneously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to submit urgent proposals for a new package of sanctions against Tehran, targeting those responsible for suppressing protesters, in a move aimed at further isolating the Iranian regime politically.
Trump: Aid is coming and options are open
In a notable shift in the US position, President Donald Trump addressed the protesters directly via his Truth Social platform, urging them to stand firm and take control of institutions, and assuring them that "help is on its way." Trump escalated his rhetoric by announcing the cancellation of all meetings with Iranian officials until what he termed "senseless killing" ceases.
The US president did not limit himself to verbal support; he also hinted at the possibility of military intervention. The White House confirmed that the option of airstrikes to end the repression remained on the table, despite its insistence that diplomacy remained the preferred option. Economically, Trump announced the immediate imposition of a 25% tariff on Iran's trading partners, a move that could deliver a devastating blow to the already struggling Iranian economy and further complicate the economic landscape in the region.
The combination of internal pressures in the form of ongoing protests, along with external pressures and economic sanctions, puts Iran at a dangerous crossroads that could have far-reaching consequences for the stability of the entire Middle East region.
