13.01.2026 06:50
In the protests that have been ongoing in Iran for 16 days, the death toll has recently been announced as 538, while U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham made a call that could escalate tensions. Graham stated that he believes Trump's decision on a 25% tariff will have an impact, saying, "I believe the Iranian regime has crossed red lines, they are mocking your leadership. It is time to take military action, we must pursue those who are killing."
Thousands of people took to the streets in Iran, citing economic problems as their reason, continuing their protests on the 16th day, while the number of those who lost their lives in the demonstrations was last reported to be 538.
MORE THAN 10,000 ARRESTS HRANA reported that at least 538 people have died in nationwide protests over the past two weeks, including 490 protesters and 48 security personnel. The statement also indicated that more than 10,600 people have been detained.
THE TOLL IS HEAVY Meanwhile, while no official statement has been made by Iranian officials regarding the death toll, the Associated Press (AP) reported that it could not independently verify the casualty figures. HRANA had announced that the latest death toll had risen to 116.
CALL FOR MILITARY STRIKE FROM SENATOR As protests continue in Iran, US Senator Lindsey Graham made another call that would escalate tensions. Graham stated that he found the 25% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on countries doing business with Iran to be impactful, and called for targeted military strikes against the Islamic Republic.
"YOUR DETERMINED LEADERSHIP IS EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE" Republican Senator X from South Carolina made the following statement: "Mr. President: Your determined leadership in isolating this regime economically with your actions today is extremely impressive. Your promise to stand behind the protesters and to inform the regime that you will not tolerate murders has led to the largest influx of demonstrators since the establishment of this fanatic regime."
"Mr. President: I believe the Iranian regime has crossed red lines. They are killing their people in large numbers and mocking your leadership. It is now time for decisive military action - without ground troops - we must pursue those who are killing," Graham added. "Let's Make Iran Great Again."
PROTESTS IN IRAN The protests that began on December 28, 2025, initiated by shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran due to the high depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies and economic problems, spread to many cities across the country.
While no official statement has been made regarding those who died or were injured in the protests, HRANA reported in a report published on January 10 (on the 14th day of the protests) that 116 people, including 37 security personnel and 4 healthcare workers, had lost their lives, over 2,600 people were injured, and 2,638 people had been detained.