Iran Arrests Dozens of "Leaders" of Protests as America and Europe Support Demonstrators

SadaNews - On Saturday, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of dozens whom they described as leaders of the riots in the country after 14 days of extensive protests in Iran rejecting the deterioration of living conditions, while U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed their support for the demonstrators.

According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, a security source stated today that authorities have arrested 200 leaders of the riots in the country, seizing weapons and explosives from them.

The same agency added that authorities arrested 100 of the "armed rioters" in the city of Baharestan near the capital Tehran.

Deaths of Security Forces

An Iranian judicial official stated today that 6 members of the security forces and police were killed, with another 120 injured during the riots in Fars Province in the south of the country. The judicial official added that "individuals linked to enemies exploited legitimate demands of the citizens to target security and stability in the country."

The state television broadcast footage of the funerals of security force members who were said to have been killed in protests in the cities of Shiraz, Qom, and Hamadan.

In a statement aired by state television, the Revolutionary Guard accused those it referred to as terrorists of targeting military and security bases during the past two nights, resulting in the deaths of several civilians and security personnel, adding that property was set on fire.

The statement emphasized that preserving the achievements of the 1979 Revolution and maintaining security is a "red line".

The Iranian army, in a separate statement, declared that it "will protect and safeguard national interests, strategic infrastructure, and public property".

Iranian police have reported 270 injuries among their personnel since the protests began two weeks ago.

Widening Protests

Activists published clips showing gatherings in areas west of the capital Tehran as well as in the cities of Tabriz, Mashhad, Yazd, Kerman, and Karaj, where protesters chanted slogans against the authorities amidst a heavy security presence.

After large demonstrations took place last Thursday, the French Press Agency reported that new protests erupted on Friday evening.

The protests are spread across various provinces of Iran, with the most notable ones concentrated in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Hamadan, Qom, Ahvaz, and Kermanshah.

While no official statement has been issued regarding the death toll or injuries from the protests, NGOs report that dozens have been killed and injured in the demonstrations.

On the other hand, the non-governmental organization "NetBlocks", which monitors internet connectivity, reported that the total internet shutdown in Iran is still ongoing today, adding on its account on X platform that "data indicates that the internet outage has persisted for 48 hours".

Political Statements

Today, Iranian President Masoud Bezhaskian accused Washington of "inciting chaos within Iran" emphasizing that "the people support their country and the system is stronger than before".

President Bezhaskian acknowledged public discontent in Iran, affirming that the government is responsible for current economic problems, urging officials not to blame external entities like the United States.

In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump in a post today on "Truth Social" stated that "Iran is seeking freedom perhaps more than ever, and the United States stands ready to help".

In recent days, Trump warned Iran that the United States might intervene on behalf of the protesters, and yesterday Friday he said addressing Tehran, "it’s better not to start shooting because we will shoot back too".

In the same vein, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed Washington's support for the Iranian people in the ongoing protests today, describing them as a brave people.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stated today that Europe supports popular protests in Iran and condemned the "crackdown on demonstrators".

It is worth noting that protests in Iran erupted on December 28 last year due to rising prices and the poor living conditions, after the local currency rial dropped to low levels and inflation reached 43% according to official figures.