According to the White House, the president is thinking of using force to stop Iran’s crackdown on protests, but diplomatic channels are still open. According to a rights group, about 650 people have died.
Iran protests: Trump open to airstrikes, wants diplomacy
The White House says the president is considering military action against Iran to halt its clampdown on protests — but a channel for diplomacy remains open. A rights group say nearly 650 people have been killed.
In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 9, 2026
Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights says it had confirmed 648 people were killed during the protests, so far, but warned the death toll was likely much higher
US President Donald Trump considers range of options — including military action against Iran
Death toll rises to more than 600, rights group reports
European Parliament bans Iranian diplomats
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ‘ready for war but also for dialogue’
The White House says the president is considering military action against Iran to halt its clampdown on protests — but a channel for diplomacy remains open. A rights group say nearly 650 people have been killed.
despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 9, 2026
Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights says it has confirmed that 648 people have been killed during the protests so far, but warns that the death toll is likely much higher
US President Donald Trump considers range of options — including military action against Iran
Death toll rises to more than 600, rights group reports
European Parliament bans Iranian diplomats
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ‘ready for war but also for dialogue’
Follow DW’s live blog for the latest headlines, analysis and backgrounders on the Iranian protests on Monday, January 12:
Skip next section Khamenei praises pro-government protesters on X amid internet shutdown
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Khamenei praises pro-government protesters on X amid internet shutdown
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised counterprotesters, saying they “accomplished a great deed” in a post on X.
“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. The great Iranian nation, today you accomplished a great deed and made a historic day,” Khamenei wrote, along with a picture showing a large pro-government rally.
Earlier in the day, pro-government demonstrators marched in Tehran, according to AFP. Images from the state broadcaster showed people carrying banners with slogans in Persian reading “Death to Israel, Death to America.”
Crowds gathered at the Enghelab Square, or “Islamic Revolution” Square, where they listened to a speech delivered by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who railed against Western intervention.
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim agency posted footage of the rally on X.
