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Russia slams US strike threats, warns against interference in Iran

Russia has condemned what it described as "subversive external interference" in Iran's internal politics and said U.S. threats of new military strikes against the country were "categorically unacceptable," Reuters reports.

"Those who plan to use externally inspired unrest as a pretext for repeating the aggression against Iran committed in June 2025 must be aware of the disastrous consequences of such actions for the situation in the Middle East and global international security," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting, says 'help' on its way

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Iranians should continue nationwide protests, take over institutions and record names of "killers and abusers," as authorities there cracked down on mass demonstrations, AFP reports.

"Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY."

Belgium, 'concerned,' summons Iranian ambassador

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot summoned Iran’s ambassador to Brussels to express his “concern” and to demand that Tehran “listen to the peaceful demands” of Iranians taking to the streets, AFP reported.

“The current situation in Iran is more than worrying. I have today summoned Iran’s ambassador to Belgium,” Prevot said in a statement.

The move was meant to “convey our concerns, demand that Iranian authorities strictly refrain from any disproportionate use of force, and ensure they listen to the peaceful demands of Iranians,” the Belgian foreign minister added.

Last week, Belgium urged its nationals to leave Iran as soon as possible due to the “security situation and the risk of possible arbitrary detentions” in the country.

Non-essential staff leave French embassy in Tehran amid unrest

Non-essential diplomatic staff at the French embassy in Tehran have left Iran due to the unrest shaking the country, two sources said late Monday.

The employees departed in two waves, on Sunday and Monday, the sources said, without specifying their exact number. Under normal operations, the French embassy in Tehran has around 30 expatriate staff, in addition to several dozen locally hired employees.

Belgium, 'concerned,' summons Iranian ambassador

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot summoned Iran’s ambassador to Brussels to express his “concern” and to demand that Tehran “listen to the peaceful demands” of Iranians taking to the streets, AFP reported.

“The current situation in Iran is more than worrying. I have today summoned Iran’s ambassador to Belgium,” Prevot said in a statement.

The move was meant to “convey our concerns, demand that Iranian authorities strictly refrain from any disproportionate use of force, and ensure they listen to the peaceful demands of Iranians,” the Belgian foreign minister added.

Last week, Belgium urged its nationals to leave Iran as soon as possible due to the “security situation and the risk of possible arbitrary detentions” in the country.

Non-essential staff leave French embassy in Tehran amid unrest

Non-essential diplomatic staff at the French embassy in Tehran have left Iran due to the unrest shaking the country, two sources said late Monday.

The employees departed in two waves, on Sunday and Monday, the sources said, without specifying their exact number. Under normal operations, the French embassy in Tehran has around 30 expatriate staff, in addition to several dozen locally hired employees.

Iran: Khamenei says pro-government rallies have “foiled the plan of foreign enemies,” AFP reports

London condemns Iran’s 'horrible' crackdown, calls for an 'immediate end to the violence'

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the “horrible” repression of protesters in Iran, urging Tehran’s authorities to “immediately end the violence,” AFP reported.

“The killings and brutal repression of peaceful protesters in Iran are horrible,” the minister wrote in a post on X.

She added that she had spoken with her Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, urging him to “immediately end the violence, respect fundamental rights and freedoms, and guarantee the safety of British nationals.”

Iran: Macron condemns 'state violence' that 'indiscriminately targets' protesters

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “state violence” that “indiscriminately targets” protesters in Iran and said he stands “alongside” those defending “fundamental freedoms.”

“I condemn the state violence that indiscriminately strikes Iranian women and men who are courageously demanding respect for their rights,” he wrote on X.

“Respect for fundamental freedoms is a universal requirement, and we stand alongside those who defend them,” he added.

Iran protests: Moscow denounces 'attempts at foreign interference'

Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu denounced “attempts at foreign interference” during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, as a major protest movement grips Iran, AFP reported.

Shoigu “firmly condemned,” during the conversation with Ali Larijani, “new attempts by external forces to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs,” according to Russian news agencies.

Iran: At least 648 protesters killed since start of unrest

At least 648 protesters have been killed in Iran since Dec. 28, when the protest movement against the authorities began, the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said on Monday.

Those killed include nine minors, the organization said, also reporting thousands of injured. Some estimates that the NGO has not been able to verify put the death toll significantly higher, at more than 6,000, it added.

French, German, Italian, UK envoys summoned over support for protests

Iran on Monday summoned diplomats in Tehran representing France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. to object to what it described as support by those countries for the protests that have shaken the Islamic republic, its foreign ministry said.

The diplomats were shown a video of the damage caused by "rioters" and told their governments should "withdraw official statements supporting the protesters", the ministry said in a statement quoted by state television.

In Paris, the French foreign ministry confirmed that "European ambassadors" had been summoned by Iran.

European Parliament bans Iranian diplomats and officials from its premises

Iranian diplomats and official representatives are now barred from entering the European Parliament, its president Roberta Metsola announced on Monday, according to AFP.

“As the brave people of Iran continue to fight for their rights and freedom, I have decided today [Monday] to ban all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from accessing all European Parliament premises,” she said in a post on X.

Araghchi reached out to US envoy Steve Witkoff over the weekend

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reached out to White House envoy Steve Witkoff over the weekend amid U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of military force against the Iranian regime in support of the recent protests, American news website Axios reported two sources with knowledge.

The sources said the outreach seemed to be an effort by Iran to deescalate with the U.S., or at least buy more time before Trump orders any action to further weaken the regime.

One of the sources said that Araghchi and Witkoff have discussed potentially holding a meeting in the coming days.

Earlier today, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that communication lines between Tehran and Washington remain open through a U.S. special envoy or traditional intermediaries such as Switzerland.

Iran fighting 'war against terrorists,' parliament speaker tells Tehran rally

Iran's parliament speaker on Monday described the state's response to the protests as a "war against terrorists," as he addressed a vast pro-government rally in Tehran, according to Reuters.

Iran is fighting a "four-front war," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, listing economic , psychological and "military war" with the United States and Israel, and "today a war against terrorists."

"The great Iranian nation has never allowed the enemy to achieve its goals," he said, flanked by the slogans "Death to Israel, Death to America" in Persian, and vowing the Iranian military would teach U.S. President Donald Trump "an unforgettable lesson" in case of a new attack.

Thousands fill Tehran square in pro-government rally: Iran state TV images

Thousands of Iranians filled a major square in central Tehran on Monday to support the Islamic Republic and mourn security forces killed during protests, state television pictures showed, according to Reuters.

People brandishing the Islamic Republic's flag packed the capital's Enghelab (Revolution) Square as prayers were read for victims of what the government has termed "riots."

Similar rallies were also underway in other cities after a call by President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to images. Rights groups based abroad say that while dozens of security force members have been killed, hundreds or even thousands of protesters have been shot dead in a crackdown.

Trump says he will talk to Musk about restoring internet in Iran​

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he plans to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet in Iran, according to Reuters.

Iranian authorities have blacked out services for four days amid ongoing anti-government protests.

"He's very good at that kind of thing, he's got a very good company," Trump told reporters in response to a question about whether he would engage with Musk's SpaceX company, which offers a satellite internet service called Starlink that has been used in Iran.

Iran says communication lines with US are open

Communication lines between Tehran and Washington remain open, such as through a U.S. special envoy or traditional intermediaries such as Switzerland, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.

He was responding, via an English translation, to a question about contact with U.S. President Donald Trump as Tehran faces protests.

Trump said on Sunday that Iran had called to negotiate its nuclear program. Baghaei said that "contradictory messages" had been sent that caused ambiguity and that Iran remained committed to diplomacy.

Iran internet blackout hits 84 hour mark, NetBlocks says

The internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities on Jan. 8 has now lasted more than three and a half days, AFP reported, citing the internet monitoring group NetBlocks.

“As Iran wakes up to begin a new day, measurements show that the nationwide internet shutdown has exceeded 84 hours,” the group said, adding that the blackout can still be bypassed using shortwave radio, cellular connections near the country’s borders, Starlink, and satellite phones.

Merz condemns Tehran’s violence against its people as a “sign of weakness”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz “strongly condemned” the violence used by Iran’s leaders against their own people, calling it a “sign of weakness,” during a news conference in Ahmedabad, northern India.

“I call on Iran’s leaders to protect their population instead of threatening it. This violence is not a sign of strength but a sign of weakness. It must stop immediately,” Merz said during a two-day visit to India.

China calls for “peace,” opposes foreign “interference”

China urged all parties involved in the ongoing unrest in Iran to work toward a return to calm and said it opposes any foreign interference in Iranian affairs, including potential U.S. military intervention, AFP reported.

“We have always opposed interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing, when asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about the U.S. military studying “very strong options” regarding Iran.

“China hopes that the Iranian government and people can overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability,” she said, calling on “all parties to work more toward peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Pezeshkian accuses U.S. of exploiting unrest to destabilize Iran

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that the “enemy” — referring to the United States and Israel — which failed to “plunge the country into chaos” during the 12-day war in June 2025, is now seeking to “exploit economic difficulties to worsen the situation,” according to the Tasnim news agency.

In his first public remarks since the protests intensified in recent days, Pezeshkian said “rioters” should not be allowed to disrupt Iranian society. While describing protest as a “legal right of citizens,” he urged Iranians to “distance themselves from violent rioters,” whom he accused of being trained by the United States and the “Zionist regime” to stir unrest.

He also called on the public to take part in a nationwide “resistance march” on Monday to denounce what he described as violence committed by “urban terrorist criminals.” State television aired images of buildings on fire, including a mosque, as well as funeral processions for members of the security forces.

Hundreds reported killed in protests over past two weeks

According to figures based on information gathered from activists inside and outside Iran, the U.S.-based human rights group HRANA said it had confirmed 490 protesters killed and over 10,600 arrested over two weeks of unrest. Over 48 members of the security forces were also killed in clashes.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights said Sunday it had confirmed at least 192 protesters killed, warning that the real toll could be far higher. The group denounced a “massacre” and a “major crime against the Iranian people.”

Iran has not released an official death toll.

Son of former shah urges security forces to “join the people”

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former shah and a U.S.-based exiled opposition figure, called on Iranian security forces to “join the people,” AFP reported.

“Employees of state institutions, as well as members of the armed and security forces, have a choice: stand with the people and become allies of the nation, or choose complicity with the murderers of the people—and bear the nation’s lasting shame and condemnation,” Pahlavi wrote on X.

Addressing Iranians “outside Iran,” he said, “All Iranian embassies and consulates belong to the Iranian people. The time has come for them to be adorned with Iran’s national flag, in place of the disgraceful banner of the Islamic Republic," referring to the flag used under the monarchy overthrown by the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Trump says Iran wants to “negotiate”

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and was in contact with the opposition, as he weighed a range of responses, including military options, to Iran's mass protests and escalating unrest.

Trump said Iran called to negotiate its nuclear program, which Israel and the U.S. attacked in a 12-day war in June. Trump has warned Iran's leaders that the United States would attack if security forces open fire on protesters.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the military was studying “very strong options,” according to Reuters.

Trump was to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss options for Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters on Sunday. The Wall Street Journal had reported that options included military strikes, using secret cyber weapons, widening sanctions and providing online help to anti-government sources.

Iran says 'situation is now under total control' after weekend violence

The situation in Iran is "under total control" after violence linked to protests spiked over the weekend, the country's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said on Monday via English translation, as cited by AFP.

Aragchi added that U.S. President Donald Trump's threats against Tehran motivated "terrorists" to attack protesters and security forces with the goal of inviting foreign intervention.

Good morning, thank you for joining us for today's live coverage of the intensifying protests in Iran. As they enter their third week, Iranian security forces have killed over 490 protestors and arrested over 10,200 others, according to the U.S. organization HASNA.

Make sure to read today's Morning Brief to catch up on the weekend's key events.