Protests have erupted worldwide following reports that over 3,000 demonstrators have been killed in Iran’s severe crackdown on protesters.
Iran’s population of 90 million woke up to discover internet access blocked and phone lines severed after a series of protests provoked a harsh response from authorities.
Witnesses reported hospitals being overwhelmed with bodies as protesters filled the streets of Tehran and Mashhad, with additional demonstrations captured on video on Monday morning.
The main opposition MEK in Iran stated that the death toll from the 16-day protests has surpassed 3,000, with leader Maryam Rajavi condemning the government’s actions as a “major crime against humanity.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street downplayed the likelihood of labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Former MI6 head, Sir Richard Moore, cautioned against the move, suggesting it may not have a practical impact and could be more about self-gratification.
Parts of Tehran were heavily damaged during the protests and the government’s forceful response.
In Iran, supporters at a government-organized pro-regime rally displayed images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and chanted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
Anti-regime protesters in various locations expressed demands, such as the return of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s late ruler Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
While some reports estimate around 600 protesters killed, opposition groups within Iran claim the number could be as high as 3,000.
Efforts to restore control saw Iranian authorities conducting mass rallies nationwide, including the appearance of a dummy resembling Donald Trump.
Amid the demonstrations, anti-regime protesters in London and Los Angeles displayed images and messages opposing the Iranian government.
Authorities in Iran issued a warning via text message urging families to look after their youth and teenagers, as tensions and violence escalated.
A billboard in Tehran depicted coffins draped with American and Israeli flags, reflecting the ongoing political turmoil in the region.
