Iran accuses US, Israel of interference as protests continue, 29 killed

In Iran, at least 29 protesters have been killed and more than 1,200 people arrested during nine days of nationwide protests, US-based human rights group HRANA reported on Monday. The Human Rights Activists News Agency said it had confirmed the deaths of seven protesters over the past 24 hours, including people killed in Azna, Marvdasht and Qorveh.Of the 29 confirmed fatalities, two were members of Iran’s security forces. At least 64 protesters were also reported wounded, mainly by pellet and plastic bullets.

Iran’s efforts to quell a wave of anti-government protests have been complicated by Donald Trump’s threat to intervene on their side.Tehran’s options have been limited by Trump’s threats and a long-running economic crisis that deepened after Israel, joined by the US, launched strikes on the Islamic Republic in June in a 12-day war that pummeled several of Iran’s nuclear sites.Iran’s economy has been hammered by years of US sanctions, but its rial has been in freefall since last year’s Israeli-US strikes that mainly targeted nuclear sites, where the West says Tehran has been working on nuclear arms. Iran denies this.

Protests and strikes continued nationwide for a ninth day despite an intensified security presence and the use of live ammunition in some areas. Verified data show that demonstrations, street rallies or labor strikes took place in at least 257 locations across 88 cities in 27 provinces. Protests were also reported at 17 universities, HRANA said. The report added that at least 1,203 protesters have been arrested so far, though the actual number is believed to be higher. Mass arrests were reported in cities including Bojnord, Qazvin, Isfahan, Tehran, and Babol, with students among those detained. HRANA said internet disruptions, security restrictions, and limited access to independent sources continue to hinder full verification of casualties and arrests.

#Iran | Sari, Mazandaran
Clashes are continuing in the streets of Sari, in Mazandaran Province, with reports indicating protesters confronting security forces amid ongoing unrest. pic.twitter.com/B5fnloIXh6

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Iranian foreign ministry on Monday accused the United States and Israel of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and encouraging violence through their public statements. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said statements by some American and Israeli officials amounted to interference in Iran’s internal affairs and incitement to violence under international norms and rejected what he described as foreign efforts to present themselves as supportive of the Iranian public. Baghaei said Iranians remained deeply distrustful of Washington and Israel, citing past actions by the two countries and arguing that the public would not be swayed by what he called “deceptive rhetoric.”