By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
The White House says talks between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials are still planned after a Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. U.S. Central Command said Tuesday the drone "aggressively approached" the aircraft carrier and kept flying toward it "despite de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces." The U.S. military says the shootdown occurred within hours of another incident in which Iranian forces harassed a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's president says he's instructed his foreign minister to pursue fair negotiations with the U.S. The White House says President Donald Trump wants to "pursue diplomacy first."
Iran says it has had summoned all of the European Union ambassadors in the country to protest the bloc's listing of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terror group. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told journalists on Monday that the ambassadors had been summoned the previous day. The EU listed the Guard as a terror group last week over its part in the crackdown on nationwide protests in January. The move is largely symbolic. But it does add to the economic pressure squeezing Iran.
Iran's top prosecutor has called U.S. President Donald Trump's about halting the hangings of 800 detained protesters "completely false." Activists say Iran's crackdown has already killed at least 5,032 people. The internet blackout in Iran has lasted over two weeks, making it hard to confirm information. Meanwhile, tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East. Analysts say this could give Trump the option to carry out strikes, though he has avoided that so far despite warnings to Tehran.
Iran has warned Donald Trump not to take any action against the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, days after the U.S. president called for an end to Khamenei's near 40-year reign. "Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world," Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesman for Iran's armed forces, said Tuesday. Trump has drawn two red lines for the Islamic Republic — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations. Activists say at least 4,484 people were killed during the protests.
By JON GAMBRELL and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
A Iran returns to an uneasy calm after protests led to a violent crackdown, a senior cleric is calling for the death penalty for detained demonstrators. Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami's sermon Friday also threatened U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Trump struck a conciliatory tone, thanking Iran's leaders for not executing hundreds of protesters so far, signaling he may be backing away from military action. Executions and the killing of peaceful protesters are two of the red lines laid down by Trump for possible action against Iran. The protests began over economic issues, and have challenged Iran's theocracy. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports a death toll of 2,797.
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has outlined his vision for a democratic Iran on social media. His plan includes ending a pursuit of nuclear weapons, confronting drug trafficking, and recognizing Israel. Experts say his proposals, which were expressed in English and not Farsi, seem more aimed at impressing U.S. President Donald Trump than resonating with Iranians. Pahlavi's influence is unclear, as nearly 50 years of theocratic rule have stifled the opposition. While some Iranians chant his name, experts believe it's due to a lack of alternatives. Pahlavi's appeal is limited by his family's long exile, as well as by bitter memories among Iranians of his father's rule.
By JON GAMBRELL and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
Iranian officials signaled that fast trials and executions lay ahead for suspects detained in nationwide protests while the Islamic Republic promised a "decisive response" if the U.S. or Israel intervene in the domestic unrest. The threats emerged Wednesday as some personnel at a key U.S. military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate following President Donald Trump's escalated warnings of potential military action over the killing of peaceful demonstrators. Mohammad Pakpour is the commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. He reiterated Iranian claims that the U.S. and Israel have instigated the protests but did not provide evidence. That's according to Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency.
Activists say the death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 2,000 people. This level of violence around protests hasn't been seen in Iran in decades. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest toll. It says most of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad is difficult. The agency warns that the death toll will rise: "We're horrified but we still think the number is conservative."
By JON GAMBRELL and JULIA NIKHINSON Associated Press
President Donald Trump says Iran wants to negotiate with the U.S. after his threat to strike the country over its crackdown on protesters. Activists said Monday the death toll in the demonstrations has risen to at least 599. Iran hasn't yet responded to Trump's comments. Oman's foreign minister traveled to Iran this weekend in a possible bid to mediate. Trump and his team are considering responses including cyberattacks and direct strikes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke to to foreign diplomats in Tehran. He insisted that "the situation has come under total control" in remarks that blamed Israel and the U.S. for the violence without offering evidence. Tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators rallied Monday.
