Iranian authorities have issued a stark new threat to anti-government demonstrators, warning they will be charged as "enemies of god" and face the potential of execution. The warning comes as the death toll from what are considered the largest protests since the 1979 revolution continues to climb.
Prosecutor-General Issues Severe Warning
On Saturday, 10 January 2026, Iran's prosecutor-general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, reiterated that individuals involved in the ongoing unrest would face charges of moharebeh – a term meaning 'enmity against God'. This charge is punishable by the death penalty under Iranian law. He stated the charge would apply to those deemed "rioters and terrorists" who damaged property and undermined security, as well as anyone assisting them.
Azad instructed prosecutors to prepare trials swiftly and to avoid any "leniency, compassion, or indulgence". This threat was echoed by Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi on Friday, following accusations from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that protesters were acting on behalf of former US President Donald Trump.
Rising Casualties and Arrests
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the number of people killed in the protests has risen from 62 to 65. The demonstrations, which began on 28 December over economic grievances, have now spread across all 31 provinces of Iran, transforming into a significant challenge to the regime.
Authorities have imposed a communications blackout, while state media blames the unrest on "terrorist agents" from the US and Israel. In a reported crackdown, around 100 demonstrators have been arrested in Tehran Province's Baharestan county. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, cited local officials claiming detainees had "disrupted public order" and used weapons against people and security forces.
International Reaction and Solidarity Protests
The situation has drawn international condemnation and sparked solidarity demonstrations abroad. In a joint statement, the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany condemned the killing of protesters. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged Tehran to "exercise restraint".
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted support for the "brave people of Iran" on social media platform X, a day after former President Donald Trump praised the protesters. During a briefing, Trump stated, "if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved".
Protests in support of the Iranian demonstrators were also held outside the Iranian embassy in London. Social media footage showed a protester climbing onto the embassy balcony, removing the Iranian flag and replacing it with the former imperial 'lion and sun' flag, often used by opposition groups. The Metropolitan Police said officers were deployed to the scene to prevent disorder.
