
Washington, 14 January (H.S.): United States President Donald Trump delivered a stern ultimatum to Iran on Tuesday, vowing unspecified but forceful measures should authorities execute demonstrators facing capital charges during an ongoing brutal crackdown that has reportedly claimed thousands of lives since late December.
Presidential Rebuke and Cryptic Pledge
In a Tuesday interview, Trump denounced prospective hangings under charges of moharebeh—waging war against God—against arrested protesters, stating unequivocally, If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing.
He echoed prior social media appeals urging Iranians to persist in demonstrations, suspended all official engagements until the killings halt, and hinted enigmatically that help is on its way.
This comes as Tuesday marked heightened global scrutiny on Tehran's response to unrest, the most severe since 1979.
Escalating Casualties and Verified Atrocities
Human rights monitors authenticated at least 734 deaths—including nine children—across fewer than half of Iran's provinces by Tuesday, based on data from just 10 percent of hospitals, suggesting the actual toll likely reaches into the thousands.
Verified footage from social media on Tuesday revealed black-bagged corpses stacked at Tehran's Kahrizak morgue, with grieving families navigating a five-day internet blackout that obscured broader carnage.
Eyewitness accounts detailed Thursday's rubber bullet assaults in Sarsabz and looming Wednesday execution threats against individuals like 26-year-old Erfan Soltani from Karaj.
Regime Response and International Outcry
Tehran asserted restored control on Tuesday following nationwide turmoil, staging pro-government rallies and declaring three days of mourning for security personnel slain in clashes.
France, Germany, Britain, and the European Union summoned Iranian ambassadors that day, with leaders decrying horrifying casualties and pledging sanctions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz forecasted the end of the Khamenei era's last days, referencing recent military losses to Israel, though experts caution the Revolutionary Guard Corps retains formidable repressive capacity.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar