IN PICTURES: LA protests wave Iranian flags, hold up signs in favor of regime change
Ex-U.S. official predicts targeted Trump operation in Iran
Former U.S. State Department official Mark Kimmitt said there is a “strong likelihood” President Donald Trump will launch some form of operation in Iran, though its scope will be decisive. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Kimmitt ruled out a land invasion or a repeat of last year’s 12-day war, suggesting instead a narrower, unexpected strike.
He argued Trump is unlikely to pursue regime change, comparing the approach to U.S. policy in Venezuela. Kimmitt said the strategy may aim to weaken Iran’s security services — “lop the top of the food chain off” — while leaving the government intact.
WATCH: Trump says ‘one death is too much’ in Iran protests
WATCH: A look at protests on Iran streets yesterday
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WATCH: Air strikes against Iran are ‘one of many’ options for Trump—Leavitt
Ireland delays ceremony for Iran envoy over protest crackdown
The Republic of Ireland has postponed a formal ceremony to present credentials to Iran’s new ambassador, citing Tehran’s violent suppression of protests. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the decision followed reports of significant casualties among demonstrators in recent days.
In a statement Tuesday, the government confirmed the event at Aras an Uachtarain, the Irish president’s official residence, would be delayed due to developments in Iran. A spokesperson said the move reflected concerns over the scale of violence and restrictions on access to information.
Prime Minister Micheal Martin had already urged Iranian authorities to end the repression, stressing that citizens have the right to protest and to freedom of expression.
Netherlands summons Iranian envoy over protest crackdown
The Netherlands has summoned Iran’s ambassador to formally protest what it described as the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations across the country. Foreign Minister David van Weel said he was “deeply shocked by the bloody repression” and condemned the excessive use of force, mass arrests, and ongoing internet shutdowns.
“Iran must respect fundamental rights and immediately restore internet access,” van Weel said, adding that those responsible for abuses must face accountability. He confirmed the Dutch response is being coordinated with European partners and backed EU sanctions targeting Iranian officials accused of human rights violations.
Iranian authorities, meanwhile, have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest and criticized European governments for alleged double standards, pointing to their stance on Gaza and pro-Palestine protests.
Trump faces high-stakes Iran decisions amid diplomatic signals and military risks
President Donald Trump is set to meet his senior national security team Tuesday to weigh options on Iran, facing a complex mix of diplomatic openings and military risks. The deliberations follow conciliatory messages from Iran’s foreign minister to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, which some officials view as a sign Tehran may be ready to talk. Others remain skeptical, warning the regime could be stalling to avoid an imminent strike.
Trump has signaled he may not wait for talks before acting. Military options under review include missile strikes on nuclear facilities, government buildings, or security infrastructure—though any action would likely take days to prepare. Short of direct strikes, alternatives range from cyberattacks and new sanctions to efforts aimed at restoring internet access inside Iran.
Officials caution that any military move could trigger retaliation against U.S. bases in the region, while a heavy-handed response might bolster domestic support for Iran’s leadership. Lesser measures carry more uncertainty, and inaction risks undermining Trump’s repeated threats.
Iran’s internet blackout raises human rights concerns
As Iran’s nationwide communications shutdown continues, questions are mounting over whether such blackouts breach international human rights law. Iran is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a UN treaty guaranteeing freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly.
Rights group Article 19 argues that “blanket internet shutdowns fail to meet the strict tests of legality, necessity, and proportionality required under international law.” The UN’s human rights office echoed that concern, with spokesperson Jeremy Laurence warning that Iran’s actions “undermine freedom of expression and access to information” and obstruct the work of those documenting abuses.
WATCH: Iran regime on the brink
Iran protests ease in Tehran as blackout passes 108 hours
Fresh accounts from Tehran suggest demonstrations in the capital have slowed, with residents reporting less protest activity on Monday compared to previous nights. Two people told CNN that daily life has largely continued in the city, though they described “intense” unrest unfolding mostly after dark.
The picture elsewhere in Iran remains unclear due to a nationwide internet shutdown. Cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks said Tuesday that connectivity has been cut for more than 108 hours, severely limiting information flow from other cities.
While some landline and mobile calls abroad have begun working again, the blackout continues to obscure the full scale of protests across the country.
UN rights chief warns Iran over death penalty threats against protesters
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned remarks from Iranian officials suggesting protesters could face execution, calling the statements “extremely worrying.” In a statement on Tuesday, Türk criticized judicial comments about expedited proceedings that could impose the death penalty on demonstrators.
His warning followed Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi’s declaration last week that some protesters may be charged with moharebeh—“waging war against God”—a crime punishable by death under Iranian law.
Türk also cited reports of hospitals overwhelmed with casualties, including children, amid the nationwide unrest. He said the killing of peaceful demonstrators and branding them as “terrorists” to justify violence is unacceptable.
Comparing the current crackdown to Iran’s response to protests in 2022, Türk accused authorities of using “brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change.” He urged Tehran to halt violence immediately and ensure accountability for what he described as “serious violations.”
Germany’s Merz predicts Iran regime’s end as Europe steps up pressure
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared Tuesday that “we are now witnessing the final days and weeks” of Iran’s regime, warning that a government sustained only through violence is nearing collapse. He said the population is “rising up against this regime” as protests continue despite a harsh crackdown.
European governments are intensifying diplomatic pressure. Spain’s foreign minister summoned Iran’s ambassador to Madrid to deliver a “strong repudiation and condemnation” of the repression, according to AFP. Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announced she would do the same, writing on X that Tehran had “shut down the internet to be able to kill and oppress in silence.” She added: “This will not be tolerated.”
EU’s von der Leyen condemns Iran crackdown, pledges swift sanctions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has denounced Iran’s violent suppression of protests, calling the rising death toll “horrifying.” She joined other Western leaders in condemning what she described as the “excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom” by Tehran.
Von der Leyen noted that the European Union has already sanctioned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under its human rights regime. Working with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, she said additional penalties targeting those responsible for the repression will be swiftly proposed.
“The European Union stands with the people of Iran who are bravely marching for their liberty,” she declared, underscoring the bloc’s support for demonstrators amid mounting international pressure on Tehran.
Iran warns of readiness as Trump reviews military options
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country is “prepared for any action” by the United States as President Donald Trump weighs possible intervention. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s readiness is “much greater” than during U.S. strikes in June 2025, while urging Washington to choose “the wise option.”
According to officials cited by CBS News, Trump’s national security team is set to meet at the White House to discuss potential responses. Defense sources said the president has been briefed on a range of covert and military tools, including long-range missile strikes and cyber operations.
Any U.S. action would likely rely heavily on air power, the officials noted, with planners also considering measures to disrupt Iran’s command structures and communications. The developments highlight escalating tensions as both sides signal preparation for confrontation while leaving open the possibility of restraint.
Iran protests resume as blackout eases, Trump tariffs escalate tensions
After more than four days of silence under a nationwide communications blackout, new details are emerging from inside Iran. Limited phone access abroad has allowed residents to share updates, though internet service remains largely unavailable.
In Washington, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all countries trading with Iran, a move that immediately drew sharp criticism from Beijing. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning warned that “there are no winners in a tariff war” and vowed to defend the country’s interests. India, another major partner, is already struggling under existing U.S. levies.
On the ground, Iranians described a temporary lull in demonstrations in Tehran, even as fresh footage showed crowds chanting in other cities. One widely circulated video captured Melli Bank, one of Iran’s largest state-owned institutions, burned and blackened after overnight protests.