Iran Protests Highlights: Around 2,000 killed so far; phone and internet services partially restored

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Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on Tuesday expressed Doha’s support for “all efforts aiming to de-escalate and peaceful solutions” during a phone call with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. Qatar’s foreign ministry said the two leaders discussed the latest regional developments, without directly referring to the ongoing protests that have rocked Iran.

The US State Department on Tuesday said more than 10,600 Iranians have been arrested by the Islamic Republic regime for demanding basic rights, warning that executions of protesters may be beginning. In a statement, it said 26-year-old Erfaneh Soltani, whose execution has been scheduled for January 14, was sentenced to death without any legal process, trial, or access to a defence lawyer. The State Department described Soltani as the first protester to be sentenced to execution, warning that she would not be the last and that a wave of executions has “officially begun,” urging the international community not to remain silent.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iranians to continue protesting and said help was on the way, without elaborating on whether that implied possible US action. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!… HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He added that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” of protesters stopped. READ FULL STORY

Allaying fear and confusion prevailing among Indian exporters, the Centre has assured that the additional 25 per cent tariffs imposed by the United States on Iran’s major trade partners are expected to have a minimal impact, pointing to limited exposure and diversified trade linkages. READ FULL STORY

The European Union is discussing further sanctions against Iran, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday in Berlin. “The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran, and we are discussing putting additional sanctions,” Kallas said.

The United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani Al Zeyoudi, said on Tuesday that it is unclear how US President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs on countries trading with Iran will be implemented and whether it will affect food imports. Trump said on Monday that any country doing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on trade with the US, as Washington considers a response to Tehran’s crackdown on the country’s largest anti-government protests in years.

The European Union will “swiftly” propose additional sanctions on those responsible for repressing demonstrations in Iran, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. “The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying. I unequivocally condemn the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom,” von der Leyen said on social media platform X. “Further sanctions on those responsible for the repression will be swiftly proposed,” she added.

India’s basmati rice exports to Iran have slowed to a near standstill amid protests gripping the Gulf country, with suppliers wary of fresh deals due to risks of non-payment and the threat of additional US tariffs, trade officials said. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that any country trading with Iran would face a 25% tariff on its commerce with the United States, a move exporters say has made Indian suppliers even more reluctant to sign new contracts with Iranian buyers. India is Iran’s largest rice supplier, with basmati accounting for nearly two-thirds of all Iranian imports from the country.

The United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday said he was “horrified” by mounting violence by Iran’s security forces against peaceful protesters, warning that the situation could not be allowed to continue. “This cycle of horrific violence cannot continue. The Iranian people and their demands for fairness, equality and justice must be heard,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement read out by UN rights office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence. Responding to questions on the scale of the killings, Laurence said that according to the United Nations’ own sources in Iran, the number of people killed runs into the hundreds.

Iranian official tells news agency Reuters that around 2,000 people have died in protests, including security forces, and blames “terrorists” for the fatalities.

Basmati rice prices have fallen sharply in domestic markets over the past week as escalating civil unrest in Iran has disrupted trade, delayed payments, and heightened risk perception among Indian exporters, the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation said. Referring to US President Donald Trump's recent remarks of a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, the federation noted that Indian rice exports to the US already face 50% duty. Over the past week, prices of most key basmati varieties fell by INR 5 per kilogram. The current rates of 1121 basmati are INR 80 per kg and 1121 Sella INR 75 a kg. Prices of varieties such as 1509, 1718, and 1401 declined by INR 5-INR 7 per kg from a week ago, the federation said in a release. Prices could fall further in the coming weeks amid persisting uncertainties.

The White House comments highlight Washington’s flexible posture as pressure mounts over Iran’s violent response to demonstrations. US officials have signalled a range of possible responses, from renewed diplomatic engagement to stronger actions, as protests persist and international concern grows over rising casualties and ongoing communication blackouts.

Leavitt said diplomacy remains the first option for Trump in dealing with Iran. However, she added that the president has shown he does not shy away from using military options when he believes it is appropriate. The remarks come amid heightened US military activity in the region and escalating rhetoric over Iran’s handling of the protests.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said President Donald Trump is keeping all options on the table as unrest continues in Iran. Speaking on Tuesday, Leavitt said Trump’s approach prioritises diplomacy but does not rule out other measures, underscoring growing uncertainty over how Washington might respond to Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests.

The Associated Press said it received calls from multiple people in Tehran, though its bureau in Dubai was unable to call those numbers back. The partial restoration suggests Iranian authorities may be selectively easing restrictions, while still maintaining tight control over incoming communication and the overall flow of information from inside the country.

Mobile phones in Iran were able to place calls abroad on Tuesday, marking a limited easing of restrictions imposed during the nationwide protest crackdown. Several people in Tehran were able to call journalists at The Associated Press, indicating that outbound international calls had resumed after days of near-total communication isolation across the country.

The visible increase in US air activity near Iran has raised concerns about a possible escalation beyond the country’s borders. Analysts say the developments underline how Iran’s internal unrest is increasingly intersecting with regional security calculations, even as protests continue and the death toll inside the country keeps mounting.

Alongside the increased military activity, the US government has issued an emergency alert advising American citizens to leave Iran immediately. The warning cites rising security risks amid nationwide protests and escalating regional tensions, as Washington assesses potential responses to Tehran’s crackdown and its broader implications for regional stability.