Iran’s chief prosecutor dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that he prevented the hanging of 800 detained protestors in Iran as “completely untrue.” At the same time, activists reported that the death toll from the widespread protests had climbed to at least 5,032. Concerns persist over the actual number of casualties due to the prolonged internet blackout in Iran, which has now exceeded two weeks.
As tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, an American aircraft carrier group is moving closer to the Middle East, a move Trump likened to an “armada.” While there is speculation that a military buildup could lead to strikes, Trump has refrained from such actions despite warnings to Tehran. The potential mass execution of prisoners and killing of peaceful demonstrators were considered red lines for military intervention by the U.S.
Iran’s top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi refuted Trump’s claims of stopping the execution of 800 protestors, stating that no such decision had been made by the judiciary. The use of the term “mohareb” by judiciary officials to label detainees as “enemies of God” raises concerns about the possibility of executions.
At a UN Human Rights Council session, concerns were raised over contradictory statements from Iranian authorities regarding the fate of detainees linked to the protests. The death toll figures provided by the Human Rights Activists News Agency revealed a grim situation, with thousands of deaths and a significant number of detentions.
As both the U.S. and Iran escalate their military presence in the region, the situation remains volatile. Trump’s comments on potential military actions against Iran and the history of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program add further complexity to the ongoing tensions between the two nations.