12.01.2026 09:43
As Iran cut off internet and phone lines to prevent protests from escalating, which have raised the death toll to 538, U.S. President Trump stated today that he would discuss sending Starlink to the protesters in Iran with Elon Musk. In response to Trump's move, Iran quickly deployed military jamming devices to block Starlink access in the country.
Thousands of people took to the streets in Iran, citing economic problems as their reason, continuing their protests on the 15th day, while the number of those who lost their lives in the demonstrations rose to 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.
TRUMP: I WILL SEND STARLINK TO IRAN The Iranian government cut off internet and phone lines in the country to prevent the protests. U.S. President Trump, who made a statement today regarding the internet that has been closed for days, said he would discuss sending Starlink to the protesters in Iran with Elon Musk.
JET RESPONSE FROM TEHRAN ADMINISTRATION Minutes after Trump's remarks, a response came from the Tehran administration. Iran deployed military jamming devices to block Starlink access in the country.
"WE ARE CONSIDERING VERY STRONG OPTIONS REGARDING IRAN" On the other hand, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is considering very strong options regarding Iran and that a decision will be made as the Islamic Republic begins to cross its "red line." Trump told reporters on Sunday, "It seems they are starting to cross [my red line], and it appears that some people who should not be killed are being killed." He added, "These are violent, and if you call them leaders, I don't know if they are leaders or if they are just ruling through violence, but we take this very seriously. The military is also looking into this, and we are considering very strong options. We will make a decision."
Trump, who said he receives "hourly reports" about developments in the country, responded to a question about threats that Iran would target U.S. interests in the region in the event of an American attack, saying, "If they do that, we will hit them at a level they have never been hit before. They won't even believe it." Trump added, "I have very strong options. So, if they do that, they will face a very, very strong response."
PROTESTS IN IRAN Protests that began in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran by shopkeepers on December 28, 2025, due to the high depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies and economic problems, spread to many cities in 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, lost their lives, more than 2,600 people were injured, and 2,638 people were detained.