12.01.2026 07:40
As the death toll in the protests that have been ongoing in Iran for 15 days rises to 538, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham made a chilling call to President Trump. Graham said, "Mr. President, if I were you, I would eliminate the leadership that is killing the people. You must put an end to this. If things turn out well, peace will be achieved. All state-sponsored terrorism activities will cease. Hezbollah and Hamas will go. Israel and Saudi Arabia will reconcile. A new day will dawn in the Middle East."
The Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the USA, announced that the number of people who have lost their lives in the protests that have been ongoing in Iran for 15 days has risen to 538.
490 OF THE DEAD ARE PROTESTERS
HRANA reported that at least 538 people have died in protests across the country in the last two weeks, including 490 protesters and 48 security personnel. The statement also mentioned that more than 10,600 people have been detained.
THE TOLL IS HORRIFIC
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 FROM SENATOR TO TRUMP
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called on President Donald Trump to target the Iranian leadership, arguing that such an action would encourage the protesters and lead to peace in the Middle East.
"KILL THE LEADERS WHO KILL THE PEOPLE"
In an interview with Fox News, Graham said, "Mr. President, any measures we take will encourage the protesters and frighten the regime." He added, "If I were you, I would kill the leadership that kills the people. You must put an end to this."
"If things go well, peace will be achieved. All state-sponsored terrorism activities will cease. Hezbollah and Hamas will go. Israel and Saudi Arabia will reconcile. A new day will dawn in the Middle East," he added.
PROTESTS IN IRAN
The protests that began on December 28, 2025, 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 (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 had been injured, and 2,638 people had been detained.