A human rights group claims that the death toll from large-scale protests in Iran has risen to over 500, while Donald Trump prepares to hold a meeting to consider various options regarding Iran.
On Sunday, 11 Jan 2026, the US-based human rights group HRANA reported that violent protests in Iran have resulted in 490 deaths among protesters and 48 among security forces, with more than 10,600 arrests over the past two weeks.
The Iranian government has yet to release official death figures, while US President Donald Trump previously threatened to strike Iran “hard” if they “start killing people,” posting on Saturday that “Iran is seeking freedom like never before. The US is ready to help!!!”
A US official told Reuters on Sunday that Trump is scheduled to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss various options regarding Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reported that these options include military strikes, use of cyber weapons, expanded sanctions, and online support for anti-government groups.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, has warned Washington not to “miscalculate.”
“Let us be clear: if Iran is attacked, the occupied territories (Israel), as well as all US military bases and naval vessels, will be legitimate targets,” said Ghalibaf, a former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The protests in Iran erupted on 28 Dec 2025 over dissatisfaction with the falling currency value, escalating into broader anti-government demonstrations against the regime established since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
However, the Iranian government blames the US and Israel for orchestrating the protests to destabilize Iran, labeling some protesters who set fire to mosques, attacked banks, and damaged public property as “terrorists.”
“Families, I urge you not to let your children join rioters and terrorists who behead and kill people,” Iranian President Masoud Pashikian said in a televised interview, adding that the government is ready to listen to the people and address economic issues.
Additionally, on Sunday, Iran summoned the British ambassador to the Foreign Ministry to protest what it called the UK Foreign Secretary’s “interventionist remarks” concerning protesters removing the Iranian flag from the embassy in London and replacing it with the pre-Islamic Revolution flag.
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Source:cna