28.01.2026 09:30
Protests that began due to economic issues in Iran continue on their 31st day, with the death toll rising to 6,126. Following U.S. President Donald Trump's statement about a large "armada" heading towards Iran, Senator Ted Cruz made a scandalous call. Cruz shared the message, "We must arm the protesters in Iran, right now."
The US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) announced that the number of people who lost their lives in protests that began due to economic issues in Iran has risen to 6,126.
NUMBER OF ARRESTS EXCEEDS 41,000
According to HRANA's report, 41,880 people have been detained as a result of incidents in many parts of the country. In the events that erupted during the protests, 6,126 people, including 214 security personnel, lost their lives. HRANA had reported yesterday that the death toll had risen to 5,848.
THREATS CONTINUE UNABATED
As the protests in Iran continue on their 31st day, threats from the US are also ongoing. The latest statement came from US President Donald Trump.
"ANOTHER MAGNIFICENT NAVY IS HEADING TOWARDS IRAN"
After the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) aircraft carrier to the Middle East, US President Donald Trump stated that another part of the US naval forces is heading towards Iran, expressing hope that Tehran would 'make a deal.'
SCANDALOUS CALL FROM US SENATOR
Following Trump's statements, US Senator Ted Cruz made a scandalous call. In a post on his social media account, Cruz stated, "We must arm the protesters in Iran, right now."
The Republican senator from Texas added, "The Iranian people overthrowing a tyrant who constantly shouts 'death to America' will make America much safer."
PROTESTS IN IRAN
The protests that began on December 28, 2025, led by shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran due to the rapid devaluation of the local currency against foreign currencies and the deepening economic troubles, spread across the country. During the intensified protests in the capital Tehran on January 8, the government had blocked internet access due to the incidents that occurred.
In a statement on January 21, based on the Iranian Martyrs and Veterans Foundation's Forensic Medicine Institution, it was announced that 3,117 people, including security forces and civilians, lost their lives during the incidents that erupted during the protests. It was stated that 2,427 of these individuals were security forces and civilian citizens killed by "armed terrorist groups," while no information was provided about 690 individuals. Although the protests in Iran have ceased, HRANA, based in Virginia, USA, continues to update the death and arrest counts, claiming to have verified more cases.