Iran’s chief prosecutor dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that he stopped the execution of 800 detained protesters in Iran as “completely untrue.” The death toll from the violent crackdown on nationwide protests has surged to over 5,000, according to activists, with concerns that the actual number could be higher due to the prolonged internet blackout in the country.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, with an American aircraft carrier group moving closer to the Middle East. Trump referred to this deployment as an “armada,” hinting at potential military action. Despite warnings to Tehran, Trump has refrained from launching strikes, stating that the mass execution of prisoners was a red line for military intervention.
While Trump appears to have reversed his stance under pressure, military assets continue to be deployed in the region, indicating the possibility of kinetic action, according to the Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank.
Iran’s top prosecutor, Mohammad Movahedi, refuted Trump’s claims about halting executions, stating that no such decision had been made by the judiciary. Some detainees have been labeled “enemies of God,” facing the death penalty, echoing past mass executions in 1988.
At a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, concerns were raised about contradictory statements from Iranian authorities regarding the possible execution of protest-related detainees. The UN high commissioner for human rights highlighted Iran’s high execution rate, with at least 1,500 reported executions last year.
In Tehran, the Friday prayer leader, Mohammad Javad Haji Ali Akbari, criticized Trump, calling him a “disgraced man,” and warned of potential retaliation against U.S. interests in the region. The death toll from the recent unrest, reported by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, includes demonstrators, government affiliates, children, and civilians, with thousands also detained by authorities.
The U.S. has deployed additional military assets to the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, with Trump indicating a precautionary move. He mentioned previous talks on Iran’s nuclear program and hinted at possible military action if necessary.
The situation remains volatile as both countries navigate escalating tensions, with the threat of military action looming amid a backdrop of widespread protests and international scrutiny.