Iran: "Two thousand died in the protests". But for the opposition there are 12 thousand

An Iranian official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said that approximately 2,000 people they were killed in protests that have hit Iran since December 28. Members of the security forces were also among the victims, the official added, accusing “terrorists” of being responsible for the deaths.

But for the Iranian opposition media based in London, Iran International, at least 12,000 people were killed “in the largest massacre in contemporary Iranian history”, which occurred largely over the span of two consecutive nights, January 8th and 9th. The media cites an analysis based on medical sources and data. The assessment, it said, is based on a multi-stage analysis of information from a source close to the Supreme National Security Council, two sources in the presidential office, reports from several sources within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Mashhad, Kermanshah and Isfahan, testimony from eyewitnesses and family members of victims, field reports, data linked to medical centers, and information provided by doctors and nurses in several cities.

One-way prioritydiplomaticbut without excluding amilitary action. This is the line dictated byDonald Trumpwhich in recent hours has been increasingly taking into consideration the idea ofattack Iranincreasingly in chaos.

I US mediathey let it be known that so far it has been several senior collaborators of the US administration, led by Vice President JD Vance, who have convinced Trump to attempt andiplomatic actionbefore amilitary attackin truth

Trump’s response: tariffs on those who do business with the regime

All this while theIranon the one hand it continues to shed blood on the streets and block (even the Starlink terminals), on the other it claims to keep thecommunication channelswith Washington. A declaration which, however, did not serve to ‘mitigate’ thepresident Onewhich in the afternoon announced “with immediate effect, a decree which will provide for a25% dutytowards any country it will entertaincommercial relationships con la Islamic Republic“.

The US State Department’s warning to citizens: “Leave Iran”

And to demonstrate that the situation can become increasingly moreexplosiveis the message that comes fromUS Department of Stateand from the virtual Embassy of Tehran, with the issuing of a “urgent notice a tutti i citizensto leave the country.”

Trump’s options and risks

Meanwhile, tomorrow – let us knowAmerican media – Trumpwill meet isenior advisorsto discuss the possibilitiesfield options. Il Wall Street Journalreported that among these there aremilitary attacksthe use ofsecret cyber weaponsthe expansion ofsanctionsand the supply ofonline help a fonti antigovernative. The former would be excluded for now. In fact, the US newspaper explains that imilitary officialsthey are explaining to thetycoonthat “hitmilitary installationscould be highlyriskyas some may be indensely populated areas“.

Reza Pahlavi’s appeal

And from the States – where he lives in exile –Reza Pahlavison of the lastIranian shahhe continues to urgeTrumpto intervene. “I think the president needs to make a decision pretty soon,” he said, prompting himIranians a protestand insists on presenting himself astransition leaderfor his country.

Iran’s response

On the other side, to a possibleAmerican attackthe president of the Iranian parliament responded insteadMays about the Mohammed.who warned Washington: “In case ofattacksia Israelbe allthen e le US shipsthey will be ourslegitimate objective“.

Death toll and arrests

Meanwhile, thehuman rights groupbased in the United States’FOOD‘ stated that ideaths verified in Iran sono 656of which at least505 demonstrators e 113 soldiersbut added that it was investigating others579 deaths. While always from the beginning ofprotestsbroke out on December 28th, are10.721 le persone arrested.

L’Iranhowever, for its part, continues to not provide aofficial death tollattributing the bloodshed toUS interferenceand to those he defines “terrorists supported by Israel and the United States“.