dpa/rtr | Both Mass protests in Iran Significantly more people could have been killed than previously known. The human rights network HRANA, based in the USA, reported 5,137 confirmed deaths. In addition, HRANA is reviewing 12,904 additional cases. In addition, at least 7,402 people are said to have been seriously injured.
The activists point out that evaluating and verifying death numbers takes time. There have been internet shutdowns and disruptions for three weeks. The exact extent of the violence is therefore still unclear.
According to official figures, there were 3,117 deaths in the riots. More than 2,400 people have died in “terrorist activities,” the Iranian ambassador to Geneva claimed. The Iranian government blames its arch-enemies Israel and the USA for the many deaths. The Iranian authorities did not provide any independent evidence.
The protests broke out at the end of December. Triggered by the severe economic crisis in the country, traders initially took to the streets. A good two weeks ago there were mass protests in the major cities on January 8th and 9th, which were brutally suppressed.
Worry about war
According to state broadcaster PressTV, senior Iranian military officials have warned the USA of an attack. The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), General Mohammad Karami, said: “Iran’s reaction will make the enemies regret any adventurism.”
Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi, commander of the aerospace department of the Revolutionary Guards, threatened a “decisive response”. He explained: “Trump talks a lot, but he should be sure he will get his answer on the battlefield.”
The military responded to statements made by US President Donald Trump on Thursday. Trump had announced that a “huge fleet” was heading to the waters near Iran.
Iran’s President Massoud Peseschkian had already threatened the US with an “all-out war” last Sunday if it attacked the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, the Dutch airline KLM is avoiding large parts of the Middle East until further notice due to the growing tensions. Out of caution, the airspace over Iran, Iraq and Israel as well as over several Gulf states will no longer be used, the subsidiary of Air France-KLM announced. Destinations such as Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam and Tel Aviv will no longer be served for the time being.
Three rallies in the NRW state capital
Thousands of people want to take to the streets in Düsseldorf on Saturday against the Islamic regime in Iran. Around 20,000 participants are expected at a demonstration entitled “Freedom in Iran”. The demonstrators march from Friedrich-Ebert-Straße through the city center to the state parliament. The police will have hundreds of officers on duty and are expecting significant traffic disruptions.
According to the police, another demonstration with a connection to Iran begins at 2:30 p.m. at Schadowplatz and ends at Friedrich-Ebert-Straße. Around 1,700 participants are expected here. A third rally will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Schadowplatz with up to 1,500 people. The police ask visitors to the city center to use public transport.