Iran-US tensions highlights: Protestors in hospitals being ‘handed over’ to regime, says exiled crown prince

Iran-US tensions highlights: Protestors hold Lion and Sun flags, a US and an Israeli flag as they take part in a demonstration held by members of the Iranian diaspora in solidarity with the protests

Iran-US tensions highlights: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reportedly relocated to a fortified underground shelter in Tehran amid fears of a potential US attack, sources told Iran International. The facility is said to include interconnected tunnels designed to withstand possible strikes. Sources indicated that Masoud Khamenei, the supreme leader’s third son, has taken over day-to-day management of his father’s office and serves as the main channel of communication with Iran’s executive branches.

When asked about Washington’s renewed threats, the Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, said Trump “talks a lot” but will receive his answers “on the ground,” according to Tehran Times.

The developments come after Iran and the United States exchanged sharp warnings this week, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US was moving naval warships closer to the region “just in case” he decides to act. He had earlier warned that an “armada is heading” toward Iran.

In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander Gen Mohammad Pakpour said, “The Islamic Revolutionary Guards and dear Iran stand more ready than ever, finger on the trigger, to execute the orders and directives of the Commander-in-Chief,” reported Nournews, a local news outlet.

A new mural unveiled in a central Tehran square on Sunday contained a direct warning by Iran. The painted image of several damaged planes on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier was seen along with the slogan: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind,” Associated Press reported.

Classified documents obtained by Iran International showed that over 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests.

Further, medical accounts and images seen by the platform pointed out to extrajudicial killings of detainees in Tehran by Iranian authorities.

‘Thank you’ note to India

Amid the standoff with Washington, Iran’s ambassador to India issued a rare public expression of gratitude to New Delhi over its vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Ambassador Mohammad Fathali said he was “sincerely grateful to the Government of India” for opposing what he described as an “unjust and politically motivated resolution” that sought increased scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record.

He called India’s vote a “principled and firm” stand, noting it came at a time of heightened Iran-US tensions and global focus on Iran’s handling of recent protests.

What's happening in Iran: Top points

1. Protests began spreading across Iran from late December as citizens took to the streets over economic hardship and the sharp fall of the national currency, the rial.

2. As demonstrations grew, authorities imposed what Iranians experienced as the longest and most comprehensive internet shutdown in the history of the Islamic Republic, severely limiting communication and the flow of images and videos. Some restrictions have since been partially lifted.

3. Activists allege that at least 5,000 people were killed in a bloody crackdown by Iranian forces — claims that have prompted repeated warnings of intervention from the United States. Iranian authorities have not confirmed these figures.

4. By the first week of January, protests appeared to subside, an assessment based largely on a sharp drop in footage emerging from the country amid the communications blackout.

5. The situation escalated again this week after Trump’s comments about a US aircraft carrier and naval forces moving towards Tehran “in case he wants to attack".