Revolutionary Guard Issues Warning
Iran’s rhetoric intensified over the weekend, with the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warning that his forces are “more ready than ever,” adding that they remain on high alert as foreign military assets approach Iranian waters.
The mural follows a series of statements from Iranian officials cautioning against any U.S. strike, particularly after Washington publicly criticized Tehran’s response to recent nationwide protests.
Protests, Crackdown, and Conflicting Claims
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen sharply following a violent crackdown on protests that erupted late last year after Iran’s currency sharply devalued. The demonstrations spread rapidly across the country and were met with a heavy security response.
U.S. officials have accused Iran of killing peaceful demonstrators and carrying out mass arrests. Trump has warned that military action remains an option if executions or further violence continue.
Iranian authorities deny those claims. Tehran has rejected U.S. assertions that hundreds of planned executions were halted, calling the allegations false and politically motivated.
Human rights organizations outside Iran report a sharply higher death toll than the government’s figures. A U.S.-based monitoring group said Sunday that at least 5,800 people have been killed since the unrest began, with more than 41,000 arrested. Iran’s government has acknowledged a significantly lower number of deaths, describing many of the victims as militants or “terrorists.”
Independent verification remains difficult due to prolonged internet restrictions, which activists say represent the most extensive blackout in the country’s history.
