Iran Protests Lead to 116 Deaths Amid Rising Tensions and International Concerns

Iran is experiencing a significant escalation in protests that have persisted for nearly two weeks, marked by a rising death toll and increasing regional and international tensions. Below is a professional rewrite of the news suitable for electronic publication and search engines:

116 Fatalities Reported in Ongoing Protests

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), based in the United States, has reported that the death toll from the protests in Iran has reached 116 individuals. The majority of those killed are protesters, with 37 security personnel also among the deceased, reflecting the severity of the clashes and the expanding nature of the unrest.

Funeral Services for Security Personnel in Western Iran

State television in Iran has aired footage of funeral processions for security forces who died during the protests, taking place in cities such as Jasht Saran and Yasuj in the western region, highlighting the losses among security personnel.

Official Claims of Protest Exploitation

Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, have claimed that certain groups are exploiting the protests to carry out what they term "terrorist acts," asserting that the government will not tolerate actions they perceive as threats to security and stability.

Trump Signals Possible U.S. Intervention

On the international stage, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of potential U.S. intervention should violence against protesters persist. In a social media post, he stated that "Iran is seeking freedom perhaps like never before," and emphasized that the U.S. is "ready to help."
U.S.-Israeli Discussions on Iran Situation
In this context, Reuters reported a phone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed the situation in Iran amid speculation regarding possible U.S. involvement. An American official confirmed the call but did not provide specific details about the conversation.

U.S. Intelligence: A Prolonged Contest of Will

A senior U.S. intelligence official characterized the situation in Iran as a "long game of wills," indicating that the opposition aims to maintain pressure until divisions emerge within the government, while authorities seek to instill fear to deter protests and prevent any justification for external intervention.

Israel Observes and Issues Warnings

Despite ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, Tel Aviv appears hesitant to pursue direct intervention at this time. In an interview with The Economist, Netanyahu cautioned of "severe consequences" if Israel is attacked, noting that developments within Iran could influence future actions.

Historical Context of Protest Suppression

It is important to note that Iranian authorities have previously managed to suppress similar protest movements, notably those in 2022 that erupted following the death of a young woman while in custody of the morality police for alleged dress code violations.