What we covered here
• Third week of protests: More than 500 protesters in Iran have been killed and almost 10,700 people have been arrested as anti-government protests continue, a US-based rights group said. An internet blackout, which also is impacting mobile phone calls, has lasted for four days.
• Funding pressure: The US administration is under pressure to step up its efforts to support internet freedom after it cut funding last year.
• US tariffs: President Donald Trump said countries that do business with Tehran will face a new 25% tariff. The announcement appears to mean goods from China, a major trading partner of both Iran and the US, would become significantly more expensive to import.
• Diplomacy: Iran earlier said it’s ready to talk with the US but is “prepared for war.” Iran’s foreign minister has communicated in recent days with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, a source said.
Our live coverage of the Iran protests has now switched here.
Protester death toll rises to 512 in Iran, rights group says
At least 512 protesters including nine children have been killed over more than two weeks of protests in Iran according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
CNN cannot independently verify these figures.
It remains unclear whether HRANA’s tally fully captures the scale of casualties, given the authorities’ shutdown of internet access and telephone lines.
Iranian diaspora in the US reflects on the anti-government protests in Iran
Iranian Americans are expressing a mix of pride and grief for the protesters who are demonstrating against the regime across Iran.
Michael Baradaran, who is studying dentistry in Utah, said he is “extremely proud” of the protesters for having the “courage to stand up against a regime that’s oppressive.”
Having spent his early teenage years in Iran, Baradaran said he participated in the 2009 Iranian Green Movement, which also focused on protesting election fraud and asked for reform.
Baradaran said Iran will be in better shape “if this regime is gone.”
Asghar “Ray” Ghahraman, owner of the famed “Ray’s Candy Store” in New York City who left Iran before the 1979 revolution, said he carries sorrow for the protesters who are demonstrating.
The 93-year-old does not think the protesters will succeed, saying the majority of the 90 million Iranians will still want the regime’s order.
“Iran is a great country. Great history,” he said, reminiscing about the life he left behind. “I miss animals. I used to be a gardener. I used to live with lamb in a big garden.”
More context: The anti-government demonstrations have reverberated beyond Iran’s borders. There was a large protest against in Los Angeles over the weekend. And a protester was also seen at the Iranian embassy in London, tearing down the Iranian flag.
US imposes 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran "effective immediately," Trump says
US President Donald Trump today announced a tariff on countries that do business with Iran.
Notably, China is one of Iran’s major trading partners.
CNN has reached out to the White House for additional information on the tariff and how the administration plans to implement it.
Iran will retaliate to any US attack, says parliament speaker
The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, reiterated a warning to the United States today, vowing that US military bases, ships, and personnel across the region would be targeted if Washington intervenes in the unrest-hit country.
Some background: Trump is weighing a series of potential military options in Iran following deadly protests in the country. “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination,” Trump told reporters Sunday on Air Force One.
Catch up on the latest developments as the Iranian crackdown on protesters enters its third week
The political unrest in Iran has entered its third week with the Trump administration weighing military intervention and the Iranian leadership warning it’s “prepared for war.”
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused US politicians of deception and warned them to not rely on what he called “treacherous mercenaries,” in a statement published by Iran’s state-run media.
At least 503 protesters have been killed in just over two weeks of anti-government demonstrations, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
If you’re just joining us, here’s a look at today’s top developments:
- US and Iran in communication: President Donald Trump said Tehran called to negotiate. This comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi communicated in recent days with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, according to a person familiar with the matter. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the private messages to the administration differ from the regime’s public statements.
- Internet blackout: Iran’s internet blackout has reached 96 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks. Iranian security forces are also clamping down on the use of Starlink, carrying out raids on homes and arresting those in apparent possession of satellite equipment, according to pro-reform activist outlet IranWire.
- Top regime officials join pro-government rallies: The country’s president and foreign minister participated in pro-regime rallies in Tehran, according to official Iranian media. President Masoud Pezeshkian was also seen in a video from IRIB, surrounded by several men and waving to participants.
- Iran summons ambassadors: Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France to present them with footage of what it described as violent acts by protesters during recent demonstrations.
- European parliament bans Iranian diplomats: The European Parliament will ban all Iranian diplomatic staff and representatives from its premises amid widespread anti-regime protests, according to the assembly’s president.
- Iran-backed militia in Iraq warns US: Kataib Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-backed militia in Iraq, issued a warning to the US, cautioning against a potential conflict with Iran.
Watch verified footage from protests taken from across Iran last night:
Iranians don't want US to strike or negotiate with the regime, journalist formerly imprisoned in Iran says
Iranians don’t want US strikes or negotiations with the regime to be the outcome of the anti-government protests, said Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American journalist who was arrested and wrongfully imprisoned in Iran for 544 days.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran if security forces respond with force against protesters, hundreds of whom are reported to have been killed. He also said over the weekend that Iranian officials has called to negotiate.
But Iranians have come to understand that they “don’t have a lot of friends out in the world” or within their government, the Washington Post journalist said.
“So far, the United States and other powers haven’t done much to support their demands for freedom,” explained Rezaian, a former Tehran bureau chief for the Post. “In the long run, the future of that country is in the hands of a very capable, very educated, very peace-loving society. And I would like to see United States of America, and the rest of the international community, help them get to that goal.”
Iran says internet blackout will remain until security is restored, state media reports
The internet will remain restricted in Iran until officials determine that full security has been restored, according to Iranian state-run Press TV, amid nationwide anti-government protests.
Aghamiri added that the internet shutdown, which began on January 9, “was necessary to counter cognitive warfare conducted by Iran’s enemies in cyberspace,” according to Press TV.
According to Aghamiri, people currently have normal access to online banking and shopping services through the National Information Network (NIN).
“The NIN is a platform through which we can guarantee stable services for the public,” he said, adding that domestic messaging apps, search engines, and artificial intelligence services will expand to minimize disruptions to daily life.
Iran’s internet blackout entered its fourth day on Monday, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, which added that “fixed-line internet, mobile data and calls are disabled, while other communication means are also increasingly being targeted.”
Iraqi militia warns US that “war against Iran is not a picnic”
Kataib Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-backed militia in Iraq, issued a warning to the United States today, cautioning against a potential conflict with Iran.
US President Donald Trump is weighing potential military options in Iran following deadly protests in the country as he considers following through on his recent threats to strike the regime should it use lethal force against civilians.
In a statement, the militia warned the US that “war against Iran is not a picnic, but a fire that, if ignited, will not be extinguished until your noses are rubbed in the dirt, and you will pay double what your greedy master aims to gain in profit.”
Kataib Hezbollah also urged fighters to stand in solidarity with the Iranian people, describing the defense of Iran as a defense of the sanctities of the broader Muslim nation. He also called on Iraqis and allied groups to remain vigilant and ignore “the voices of traitors and alarmists.”
Iraq, a Shia-majority country, has strong ties to Iran primarily due to deep-rooted shared religious and cultural connections.
White House says private messages from Iran are "quite" different from public messages
We’re hearing more from the White House now, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters today that the messages the Trump administration are receiving privately from Iran differ from what the regime is saying in public.
Pressed by CNN’s Kevin Liptak on President Donald Trump’s objective in Iran, Leavitt said he does not want to see people “being killed in the streets of Tehran.”
“He’s made it quite clear he certainly doesn’t want to see people being killed in the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, that’s something we’re seeing right now,” Leavitt said.
Remember: Trump has threatened to strike the Iranian regime should it use lethal force against civilians.
She also confirmed that the president’s top special envoy Steve Witkoff is and “will continue” to be a key player in diplomatic discussions with Iran.
Iran threatens possible evacuation of embassy in UK following flag incident
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday threatened to evacuate its embassy in London after a protester was seen at the embassy over the weekend tearing down the Iranian flag and holding up Iran’s pre-revolution flag.
Araghchi said he “urged the UK to avoid interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.”
Cooper confirmed they had spoken.
“The killing & brutal repression of peaceful protesters in Iran is horrific,” Cooper said in a post on X, adding that she told Aragchi “the Iranian government must immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure British nationals are safe.”
Two people were arrested after the Saturday incident, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. One person was taken in for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker while the other was arrested for aggravated trespass.
Here’s what happened over the weekend:
Demonstrations have started in response to Iran’s internet blackout, including in London, where a protester removed the Iranian flag at the country’s embassy and displayed the pre-revolution flag.
What Democrats are telling CNN as Trump weighs military options against Iran
As the Trump administration considers potential military intervention in Iran, most Democrats interviewed by CNN today have called for the issue to be brought before Congress before any action is taken.
When asked this morning by CNN’s Kate Bolduan if he would want the US to possibly get involved as the president outlined, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman said, “Sure, absolutely.”
New York Rep. Pat Ryan expressed concern over Fetterman’s statement, warning against “dismissively” talking about striking the country “with no consultation with the American people, no consultation with the Congress, no discussion of cost in blood and treasure.”
US military action, the congressman noted, would be unlikely to “actually perpetuate … a democratic Iran and it might actually be counterproductive.”
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal also called for any plans to be brought before Congress first. “This is a congressional authorization situation,” she told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, warning military action in Iran “could actually inflame tensions against the United States.”
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called for a “very careful and thoughtful” approach, telling CNN’s Pamela Brown:
Iran's supreme leader warns US politicians to "stop their deception"
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned US politicians to “stop their deception” and not rely on what he called “treacherous mercenaries,” in a statement published by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) today.
Khamenei also thanked Iranians who participated in Monday’s pro-government rallies, saying the demonstrations thwarted external plots against the country.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday blamed his country’s ongoing unrest on foreign-linked “terrorists,” who he accused of burning bazaars, mosques, and cultural sites.
Footage from protests across Iran last night show crowds chanting and marching together
Footage from protests across Iran last night that has been verified by CNN shows large crowds chanting and marching together, as well as several instances of fire.
Video from pro-reform activist outlet IranWire shows a demonstration in Punak, a neighborhood in the capital city of Tehran. Crowds chant various phrases, including “freedom, freedom, freedom, say it,” “long live the shah,” and “Iran, you’re shut down, you fight, you die, give Iran back.”
In two different videos from Punak, a fire can be seen in the middle of the road. Protesters march in a line, chanting together.
In Siahkal, a city in the northwest of Iran, multiple fires were seen on video. Another video shows large plumes of smoke in the middle of a street.
Video from Ekbatan in western Tehran shows another group marching in a line and chanting.
Iran internet blackout has now persisted for 4 days, according to watchdog
Iran’s internet blackout has reached 96 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks.
According to NetBlocks, “fixed-line internet, mobile data and calls are disabled, while other communication means are also increasingly being targeted.”
On Thursday, network connectivity dropped down to around 1% of the usual traffic, signaling a blackout as authorities cracked down on anti-government protesters.
The countrywide communications shutdown makes it difficult to assess what is happening on the ground. Estimates from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) have put the death toll at more than 500. CNN is unable to independently verify that number.
Iran summoned several European ambassadors, says state media
Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France today to present them with footage of what it described as violent acts by protesters during recent demonstrations.
According to Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the ambassadors were called in after their governments publicly expressed support for the protests.
During the meeting, Iranian officials showed footage of the unrest, claiming the actions went beyond peaceful protest and amounted to organized sabotage.
Tehran urged the ambassadors to relay the footage to their respective foreign ministers and “demanded the retraction of official statements expressing support for the protesters,” IRIB said.
International protests continue in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators
A number of international protests took place over the weekend in solidarity with those demonstrating in Iran. These rallies have continued into the week, taking place in London, Milan and Berlin today.
Take a look at some pictures from these protests below:
Top Iranian officials join pro-regime rallies in Tehran
Top Iranian government officials, including the country’s president and foreign minister, participated in pro-regime rallies in Tehran today, according to official Iranian media.
“Iranian people should remain strong and present. Their presence encourages us,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said while marching among thousands in the capital, as seen in video published by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
The country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian was also seen in a video from IRIB, surrounded by several men and waving to participants.
Pro-government rallies were held across Iran as the country entered a third week of nationwide anti-government protests.
Officials addressed supporters at the rallies, describing the anti-government demonstrations as “foreign-backed riots.”
Iranian security forces raiding homes as part of Starlink clampdown, activist outlet says
Iranian security forces are clamping down on the use of Starlink in the country, carrying out raids on homes and arresting those in apparent possession of satellite equipment, according to pro-reform activist outlet IranWire.
Starlink is a US-based service, owned by billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It delivers mobile broadband via a network of orbiting satellites.
On Saturday, an expert who studies internet disruptions told CNN Iranian authorities could be “jamming” Starlink terminals to further isolate the country amid widespread anti-regime protests.
Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at network intelligence platform Kentik, confirmed that some Starlink users are experiencing high degrees of “packet loss,” which indicates their signal could be “getting jammed.”
Even though the Iranian regime opposes the use of Starlink in the country, Madory said that people have managed to smuggle in terminals.
Iran's foreign minister reached out to US envoy Witkoff this weekend
Iran’s foreign minister has communicated in recent days with Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, as Trump weighs taking action in response to Tehran’s crackdown on protesters, according to a person familiar with the matter.
It wasn’t clear what, if anything, the outreach from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi might yield. But it appeared to some US officials like an effort to lower temperatures amid Trump’s threats.
Witkoff and Araghchi established a channel of communication early last year as the Trump administration worked to negotiate a nuclear agreement.
Those talks sputtered out after the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Trump said Sunday that Iran had called him a day earlier to negotiate.
“They called yesterday,” Trump said. “Iran called to negotiate.”
“The leaders of Iran, they want to negotiate,” he continued.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate with us.”
Today, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the communication channel between Araghchi and Witkoff “remains open” and “whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel.”
He added that “certain points and ideas have been presented by the other side,” referring to the US.
