Iranian security forces have now killed over 600 anti-government protesters in recent weeks, according to activists on the ground in Tehran. The death toll continues rising despite President Trump’s warning of “strong options” towards the Iranian regime and the potential use of military force if the killing does not end.
On Tuesday, the U.S. President posted on social media that he has “canceled all meetings with Iranian officials” after a request by the government in Tehran to begin talks with officials in Washington.
“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!”, read the president’s message to demonstrators on social media.
The ghastly images emerging from Iran, which have leaked the regime’s stranglehold on the signals apparatus, preventing communications between protesters and the outside world, have disturbed top U.N. officials, like Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, who says he is “horrified” by the violence in Iran amid reports of pro-government death squads being unleashed onto the public.
Reports of hundreds of deaths of protesters continue unabated for more than one week after pro-government forces reportedly killed 36 demonstrators at the Grand Bazaar in the nation’s capital.
Iranian state media, on the other hand, have also claimed that over 100 Iranian security personnel have been killed by “agitators” with deadly weapons that include firearms, recently sharing images of confiscated arms with the press, and even inviting delegates from European nations to watch CCTV footage of alleged “agitators” firing weapons at government forces.
🚨🇮🇷 | URGENTE/BREAKING/IRAN: The death toll of anti-government protesters in Iran has risen to 646, according to local activists and the AP.
— Sociedad Media (@sociedadmedia) January 13, 2026
The Trump administration is still considering “strong options” and the use of military force to target the regime in Tehran for crossing… pic.twitter.com/d0kPDTq2U7
U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), a fervent Iran-hawk, says that Trump’s military option will deal the “death blow” to the Iranian regime, which has been scrambling since worsening economic conditions in the country sparked demonstrations nearly three weeks ago.
“The tipping point of this long journey will be President Trump’s resolve. No boots on the ground, but unleashing holy hell – as he promised – on the regime that has trampled every red line. A massive wave of military, cyber and psychological attacks is the meat and bones of ‘help is on the way’,” Graham wrote on social media.
