Iran Protests LIVE: Trump calls on Tehran to show protesters humanity amid reports of rising death toll

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Iran’s government accused the United States of seeking to manufacture a pretext for military intervention

Updated – January 14, 2026 08:30 am IST

People wave flags during a demonstration in support of the national protests in Iran, in Barcelona, Spain on January 13, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump was consulting with his national security team about next steps with Iran as he looked to get a better understanding of the number of Iranian citizens who have been killed and arrested in more than two weeks of unrest throughout the country.

Mr. Trump said he believes that the killing is “significant” and that his administration would “act accordingly.” Since the protests began on December 28, 16,700 people have been arrested, and more than 2,000 have been killed, the vast majority of protesters, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRAI). The organization relies on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities.

Also Read:Trump announces 25% tariff on ‘any country’ trading with Iran, move could impact India, China, UAE

Meanwhile, Iran’s government accused the United States of seeking to manufacture a pretext for military intervention, after Mr. Trump threatened “strong action” over the deadly crackdown on mass protests. The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years — protests spurred by the collapse of Iranian currency that have morphed into a larger test of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule.

Read live updates here:

January 14, 2026 08:30

Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran hangs protesters

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tuesday (January 13) of unspecified “very strong action” if Iranian authorities go ahead with threatened hangings of some protesters, with Tehran calling American warnings a “pretext for military intervention”.

-AFP
January 14, 2026 08:14

Death toll from crackdown on protests in Iran jumps to at least 2,571, activists say

The death toll from a crackdown on protests in Iran jumps to at least 2,571, activists said early Wednesday (January 14, 2026).

The figure came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran in recent years.

The activist group said 2,403 of the dead were protesters and 147 were government-affiliated. Twelve children were killed, along with nine civilians, it said, who were not taking part in protests. More than 18,100 people have been detained, the group said.

– AP