Iran’s chief prosecutor dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of stopping the hangings of 800 detained protesters as untrue. The death toll from the nationwide demonstrations crackdown has now surpassed 5,032, according to activists, who fear the actual number could be higher due to Iran’s prolonged internet blackout.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East. Trump referred to this as an “armada,” hinting at potential military action. Despite warnings to Tehran, Trump has refrained from strikes so far, with mass prisoner executions being one of his red lines for military intervention.
While Trump seems to have retreated from his stance, the movement of military assets to the region suggests that kinetic action could still be on the table. Iran’s judiciary officials have labeled some detainees as “enemies of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty and has been used in past mass executions.
In response to Trump’s claims, Iran’s top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi firmly denied the alleged halt in executions, emphasizing that no such decision had been made by the judiciary. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over contradictory statements from Iranian authorities regarding the potential execution of detained protesters.
The death toll figures released by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency indicate that over 4,700 individuals have died in the unrest, with thousands more detained by authorities. Iran’s government provided a lower death toll figure, attributing the deaths to a mix of civilians, security forces, and what they termed as “terrorists.”
As the American military deploys additional assets to the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships, Trump has hinted at potential action against Iran. He referred to past negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and warned of severe military repercussions if Iran does not comply.
The situation remains volatile as both countries maintain a military presence in the region, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.