Iran Protests Enter Second Week; Renewed Clashes with Security Forces Trump: Iran will face a "very strong hit" if more protesters are killed

New clashes between protesters and Iranian security forces have resulted in fatalities, according to human rights organizations and media reports, following a week of protests ignited by anger over deteriorating living conditions. At least 16 people, including security personnel, have been killed since the protests began with a shopkeepers' strike in Tehran on December 28, according to official reports.

Trump’s Warning: President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that it would face a "very strong hit" from the United States if more protesters are killed. These remarks come as the U.S. demonstrates its readiness to act, following the recent operation to arrest Iran’s ally, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Protest Map and Escalation: The Iranian "HRANA" rights group reported overnight protests in Tehran, Shiraz, and western Iran, where slogans criticized the authorities. These demonstrations are the most significant since September 2022. While they have not yet reached the scale of the 2022 movement or the 2009 Green Movement, they pose a new challenge to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, especially following the 12-day military conflict with Israel in June that damaged Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure.

Government Response: Under pressure, President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration announced through spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani that citizens would receive a monthly allowance of approximately $7 USD for the next four months. Despite this, protests have erupted in 23 out of 31 provinces, affecting at least 40 cities.

Current Situation: Human rights groups released footage showing bloodied bodies on the ground. State media reported that "rioters" attempted to storm police stations, leading to further deaths. In Tehran, riot police are deployed at major intersections, and tear gas has been used to disperse crowds. UN Special Rapporteur Mai Sato warned that the violent response seen in 2022-2023 must not be repeated. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s threats as "reckless," stating that the armed forces are on high alert for any intervention.