– Iranian Leader, Trump Trade Threats Amid Rising Protest Deaths
- They called," Trump said when asked if he thinks Iran wants to engage diplomatically.
- At least 10,681 people have been arrested, according to HRANA.
- The HRANA data relies on the work of activists inside and outside the country.
LONDON — Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday hit back against U.S.president Donald Trump‘s threats of military action in Iran in support of anti-government protests there, shortly before Trump told reporters that Tehran wants “to negotiate” with the U.S.
In a message on his official Farsi-language X account on Sunday, Khamenei posted an image of a crumbling statue with Trump’s likeness.
“That father figure who sits there with arrogance and pride, passing judgment on the entire world, he too should know that usually the tyrants and oppressors of the world, such as Pharaoh and Nimrod and Reza Khan and Mohammad Reza and the likes of them, when they were at the peak of their pride, were overthrown,” Khamenei wrote.
“this one too will be overthrown,” the ayatollah added.
“They do. They called,” Trump said when asked if he thinks Iran wants to engage diplomatically.
“Iran called to negotiate yesterday – the le
At least 10,681 people have been arrested, according to HRANA. Protests have taken place at 585 locations across the country,in 186 cities,spanning all 31 provinces,according to activists.
The HRANA data relies on the work of activists inside and outside the country. ABC News cannot independently verify the figures provided by the group.
The Iranian government has not provided any casualty figures for protesters related to the ongoing protests. State television has broadcast images of people attending morgues to identify bodies of friends and relatives.
The state-aligned Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that 109 security personnel had been killed in the protests.
Widespread and sustained internet outages have been reported across the country amid the deepening protests and r
reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown prince of Iran, stated on social media that international support is forthcoming, amidst ongoing political and social unrest within Iran. This statement, posted on his official account, suggests potential external assistance related to the current situation in the country.
Reza Pahlavi and the Iranian Opposition
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Reza Pahlavi is the son of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza pahlavi, who was overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Britannica details his lineage and current role as a prominent figure in the Iranian opposition movement.
Detail: pahlavi has been a vocal critic of the current Iranian government and has called for democratic reforms. He resides outside of Iran and actively engages with international audiences to raise awareness about the situation within the country. His statements frequently enough focus on the need for external support to facilitate change.
Example: In December 2023, Pahlavi called for a national referendum on the future of the Islamic Republic, as reported by Reuters, signaling a desire for a shift in the country’s political system.
Current Political Climate in Iran
Iran has experienced widespread protests and unrest in recent years, driven by economic hardship, social restrictions, and political grievances.
Detail: These protests have been met with varying degrees of government suppression, leading to concerns about human rights and political freedoms. The economic situation, exacerbated by international sanctions and internal mismanagement, continues to fuel discontent among the population.
Example: According to a Human Rights watch report published in January 2024,Iranian authorities continue to arbitrarily arrest and detain protesters,and suppress freedom of expression.
International Response to the Situation in Iran
The international community has responded to the situation in Iran with a mix of condemnation of human rights abuses and diplomatic efforts to address the nuclear programme.
Detail: several countries and international organizations have imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and entities accused of human rights violations.There have also been ongoing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, with the aim of preventing the advancement of nuclear weapons.
Example: The United States department of State,in its Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2023, details important human rights issues in Iran, including restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.
Verification of Pahlavi’s Claim (as of January 12, 2026)
As of January 12, 2026, there has been no official confirmation from any international government or organization regarding imminent ”international support” arriving in Iran, as stated by Pahlavi.
Detail: While numerous countries have expressed concern over the situation in Iran and continue to engage in diplomatic efforts, there have been no publicly announced plans for direct intervention or material support to opposition groups. Reports indicate continued sanctions and diplomatic pressure, but no concrete evidence of the support pahlavi referenced.
example: A Al Jazeera report published on January 12, 2026, confirms that international responses remain largely limited to statements of concern and continued sanctions, with no indication of imminent military or ample material support.
ABC news’ Somayeh Malekian, Isabella Murray and Will Gretsky contributed to this report.