Iran’s Prosecutor General Threatens Detained Protesters With Severe Punishment

Abbas Araghchi said, “Overall, the situation in Iran is good,” while acknowledging that sanctions have created economic difficulties.

Araghchi claimed the United States and Israel had attempted to replicate in Iran what he said they carried out in Venezuela during a recent 12-day conflict, but were unsuccessful.

He was referring to a US operation early Saturday in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, during which President Nicolás Maduro was arrested and transferred to New York.

Araghchi’s comments also touched on the brief but intense 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel, which eruptedk in June 2025. During the conflict, Israel carried out major airstrikes on Iranian nuclear, military and defence facilities, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel.

The United States provided military and intelligence support to Israel and participated in some strikes against Iranian targets, though the confrontation stopped short of escalating into a wider regional war.

Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Washington and its allies of seeking to destabilise the country, while Western governments cite Iran’s nuclear programme and regional activities as grounds for continued sanctions.

In a video message addressed to protesters, Pahlavi praised the nationwide demonstrations held across Iran over the past two nights and urged demonstrators to prepare to “seize and hold” city centres.

He said the objective at this stage was not simply taking to the streets, but moving through multiple routes towards central areas of cities and acting in a more coordinated manner.

Pahlavi said the courage and resilience shown by Iranian protesters have drawn admiration around the world. Over the past two nights, Thursday and Friday, large crowds took to the streets in several Iranian cities following his call, chanting slogans against the Islamic Republic, according to reports.

He described the strong turnout on Friday night as a “crushing response” to threats issued by Iran’s supreme leader. Pahlavi said he believes the leader saw images of the protests from his place of seclusion and was shaken by the scale of the demonstrations.

Iranian authorities have not commented on Pahlavi’s remarks.

In a statement, Türk said all reported deaths must be “promptly, independently and transparently investigated”, adding that those responsible for any violations should be held accountable in line with international norms and standards.

He also expressed alarm over the nationwide internet shutdown imposed during the unrest, warning that such measures undermine fundamental freedoms.

“Internet shutdowns undermine freedom of expression and access to information,” Türk said. He added that they also negatively affect the ability of human rights defenders to document violations and restrict people’s access to essential and emergency services.

The UN rights chief called on Iranian authorities to respect human rights while addressing the protests and to ensure that security measures comply with international law.

In a statement issued on Thursday, January 8, the 12th day of the protests, the organisation said hundreds of protesters have also been injured during nationwide demonstrations. It said 13 people were killed on Wednesday alone.

According to the report, Iranian security forces have used live ammunition against protesters and carried out widespread and mass arrests in several cities as part of an intensifying crackdown.

Iran Human Rights strongly condemned the violence, describing the use of live ammunition against demonstrators as an international crime. The group called for an immediate and decisive response from the international community.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, said: “The evidence shows that the scope of the crackdown is becoming more violent and more extensive every day. The United Nations and the international community have a responsibility to act decisively, within the framework of international law, to prevent the mass killing of protesters.”

The organisation said it has received additional reports of fatalities from multiple cities across Iran and is in the process of verifying the information, warning that the death toll could rise if the reports are confirmed.

Demonstrators gathered in cities across the country chanting “Death to the dictator,” as protests and strikes continued in multiple locations, including Kermanshah, Shiraz, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Kerman, Sabzevar, Shahrekord, Neyshabur, Qom and Gonabad.

Reports say at least 34 protesters have been killed since the unrest began, while 2,076 people have been detained by Iranian security forces.

The HRANA news agency said protests and labour strikes had spread to 285 locations across 92 cities in 27 provinces by the 10th day of demonstrations.

The unrest, fuelled by economic pressure, soaring inflation and deepening social discontent, marks one of the largest waves of protests in Iran in recent years.

Meanwhile, the British newspaper The Times previously reported, citing an intelligence assessment, that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has considered an emergency plan to leave the country and relocate to Russia should domestic unrest escalate further and security forces fail to contain the protests.

Iranian authorities have not commented publicly on that report and continue to blame foreign actors for inciting unrest.