Overview
- Iran eased some security deployments in Tehran, partially restored communications and saw banks and businesses reopen after days of the heaviest protests in years, while state-organized rallies filled central squares.
- Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hailed the pro-government turnouts as a rebuke to foreign enemies, and officials said a communication channel remains open between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Death toll figures remain disputed, with rights groups reporting more than 500 to at least 648 killed and thousands detained, and NGOs warning of rapid trials and an imminent execution case; an Iranian source cited by Reuters put total deaths around 2,000 including security forces, which cannot be independently verified.
- President Donald Trump said he is weighing military options, urged demonstrators to continue and canceled meetings with Iranian officials, and he announced a 25% U.S. tariff on any country that does business with Iran.
- European governments intensified diplomatic steps, with Spain summoning Iran’s ambassador and the UK preparing additional sanctions, while China opposed unilateral U.S. measures and Qatar said it is engaged in de-escalation contacts.