Tehran/Washington, 11 January (H.S.): Protests that erupted across Iran on December 28, 2025, against skyrocketing inflation have plunged the Islamic Republic into chaos, shattering the regime's complacency and igniting nationwide fury after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei branded demonstrators as rioters.

The entire country now simmers in violence, with clashes between security forces and civilians inflicting massive casualties and widespread destruction, including torched government properties. Expressing anguish over lives lost to gunfire, U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday hinted at American intervention to free Iran from Khamenei's clutches.

At Least 2,000 Dead in 48 Hours

Iran International's detailed report, drawing from various video footages, paints a grim picture of the crisis. Sources indicate Iran's security apparatus is unleashing lethal force on protesters nationwide, with initial estimates pointing to mass fatalities.

Internet services have been severed since January 8, while footage from Kahrizak south of Tehran reveals numerous corpses. Similar videos emerged earlier from Fardis, Karaj, and Alighadir Hospital in eastern Tehran, also showing bodies.

The report estimates at least 2,000 deaths in the past 48 hours alone. A doctor in the northern city of Rasht reported over 70 bodies arriving at a single hospital, with western provinces like Ilam and Kermanshah engulfed in bloodshed.

Warning to Parents: Keep Children Off Streets If You Care for Their Lives

Rather than acknowledging public outrage or engaging in dialogue, Iran's leadership has adopted a ruthless crackdown. State television claims the situation remains fully under control, escalating to overt threats on Friday: parents were warned, If you care for your children's safety, keep them off the streets.

Channel-3, among the most-watched networks, labeled the unrest a premeditated attack on the nation and condemned protesters demanding basic civil rights. Images depict security forces firing tear gas canisters and live rounds into crowds.

Tehran's Mayor Alireza Zakani stated that demonstrators—whom he called terrorists, not protesters—torched dozens of buses and government buildings.

Khamenei Vows Forceful Retaliation

Iranian state television broadcast Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's all-day speech on Saturday, accusing protesters of acting on behalf of foreign adversaries and pledging a forceful response. Some channels aired only footage of protester violence, omitting security force brutality.

Regime Symbols Targeted in Fury

Public rage has reached a fever pitch, with mobs demolishing emblems of the regime, including toppling statues of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani.

Iran Looks Toward Freedom: Trump

Iran is looking toward freedom. America stands ready to help, President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account Saturday night. Earlier that day, he reposted Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio's support for protesters and invoked Make Iran Great Again. Graham declared, Help is coming. President Trump is ready to liberate Iran.The Iranian people's dream of freedom will soon be realized.

AU.S. House Representative Claudia Tenney urged prayers for brave men and women standing against a violent regime, adding on X, Families are losing sons and daughters for peacefully protesting a brutal dictator. This is no time to stay silent. Silence only empowers killers.Airlines Suspend Flights to Iran

Fox News reports that major carriers including Lufthansa, Flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Aegean, Pegasus, Qatar Airways, and Austrian Airlines have canceled or suspended flights to Iran amid the turmoil.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar