Two weeks into one of the most significant waves of unrest in Iran in recent years, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei–led regime has reportedly warned of an even more severe crackdown on demonstrators.
The country’s Attorney General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, has issued a stark warning, stating that all those participating in the protests would be treated as an “enemy of God” — a charge that carries the death penalty under Iran’s Islamic law, according to a Bloomberg report.
🚨BREAKING🇮🇷:
— 🏛 🌹PeriklestheGREAT 🌹 🏛 "Vox Populi, Vox Dei" (@PeriklesGREAT) January 2, 2026
Ayatollah Khamenei’s grip on power is collapsing
Iran is on the verge of revolution.
90% of Iranians oppose the Clerical Regime
Trump is threatening to intervene (no boots on the ground) if Iran kills peaceful protestors
Good Idea? pic.twitter.com/9VdKntESD9
Assessing the situation on the ground remains difficult due to a continuing internet blackout that has largely cut Iranians off from international online platforms. However, the Associated Press reported on Sunday, citing human rights sources, that at least 116 people have been killed and more than 2,600 detained since the protests began.
Protests Spread Across Iranian Cities
The demonstrations are no longer confined to isolated pockets and have intensified across multiple provinces. Bloomberg reported fatalities in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Ilam, Kermanshah and Fars, in addition to deaths in Tehran, where protests initially erupted last month over Iran’s deepening currency crisis and worsening economic conditions.
Death Penalty Threat for Detainees
With thousands detained, the attorney general’s warning has raised serious concerns internationally. Authorities have indicated that detainees could be charged collectively as “enemies of God,” a designation that could expose them to capital punishment, escalating fears of mass executions.
Death Toll Remains Unclear
Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures. The ongoing internet shutdown has further obscured independent verification. Nevertheless, a US-based human rights organisation cited by AP estimates that at least 116 people have been killed since protests began on December 28.
Trump Signals Support
US President Donald Trump weighed in on the unfolding crisis, suggesting possible American support for protesters. “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. His comments followed accusations by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who alleged that Trump’s “hands are stained with the blood” of Iranians. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump also suggested that Khamenei might be considering fleeing the country.
Internet Blackout Continues
Iran has maintained near-total internet restrictions for nearly three days, severely limiting communication and access to information. While some state-owned and semi-official media outlets remain operational, the blackout has made it difficult to gauge the full scale of the unrest and the government’s response.
What Triggered the Latest Surge?
The protests intensified on Friday after a call by Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled crown prince, urging citizens to occupy and hold key urban spaces. Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, said the movement’s objective had evolved. “Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centres,” he said in a video message shared on social media.
As tensions escalate, international attention remains fixed on Iran, amid growing concerns over human rights violations and the regime’s threatened response to dissent.
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