Here's the latest
• Protests across Iran continue despite a brutal crackdown that includes threats to execute demonstrators, according to the UN. Iran says it is “ready” should the US want to “test military action.” At least 500 protesters have been killed, according to a US-based rights group, with fears the true toll could be much higher.
• Some users of landline and mobile phones have been able to call abroad for the first time more than four days after the government shut down communications. But internet access remains cut off.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes the Iranian regime could be facing its “last days and weeks.” President Donald Trump said countries that do business with Iran will face a 25% tariff, coming after he floated the prospect of US military intervention to “rescue” protesters.
Trump to meet with national security team to discuss options in Iran
When President Donald Trump meets with his senior national security team later Tuesday to discuss his options in Iran, he’ll face a complex set of decisions for how to proceed – all balanced by an equally complex set of risks.
Trump must first decide whether to allow diplomacy time to proceed after his foreign envoy, Steve Witkoff, received conciliatory messages from Iran’s foreign minister over the weekend.
Some senior officials interpreted the outreach as a sign the regime was ready to talk and have encouraged the president to seize the opportunity to strike a deal (the contours of which remain unclear).
Other officials have been less sanguine, believing Tehran is simply looking to delay an attack, which Trump has been threatening for more than two weeks.
Trump has said he won’t necessarily wait for talks with Iran before moving ahead. If he decides to go that course, he will have to consider another set of decisions.
Should Trump decide on firing a missile into Iran, he will have to decide which targets to strike – remaining elements of Iran’s nuclear program, government buildings in Tehran or other facilities connected to the country’s security services. Any strike would likely be several days from happening, one official said.
If Trump elects to carry out something short of a strike, he has another set of options in front of him: cyberattacks, new sanctions or efforts to bolster internet connectivity.
Each cascading decision will be weighed against potential responses from Iran. US officials believe any strikes inside Iran could lead to retaliatory action on American facilities in the region, an outcome Iranian officials have already threatened. Officials have also voiced concern that a forceful response could strengthen support for the regime in a “rally behind the flag” effect.
It’s less clear how Iran might respond to lesser actions. And not taking any action at all could make Trump’s threats appear empty, officials said.
Pro-regime demonstrators point to “foreign interventions” behind unrest
Pro-regime demonstrators in the Iranian capital Tehran have acknowledged the economic plight gripping the country but backed authorities’ line that “foreign interventions” have amplified the unrest.
Protests over the government’s handling of the economy began more than two weeks ago in Tehran’s bazaars but spread to more than 180 cities and towns, morphing into general protests against the regime. In response, counter-rallies in support of the government took place across Iran on Monday.
Another pro-regime protester acknowledged that Iran was facing “excessive inflation,” but added: “All that said, I am here, participating, to defend my country.”
Iranian authorities have sought to differentiate between economic protesters and those calling for regime change, branding the latter as “rioters” and foreign-backed “mercenaries.”
A third pro-regime protester said, “the first step is to speak with determination about possible foreign interventions.”
Here's what Trump has said so far about the protests in Iran
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly issued warnings to Iranian leadership over the last few weeks, threatening that his country could intervene if authorities continue their violence against protesters.
Here’s a look at some of the exchanges between Trump and Iranian leadership since the start of this year:
- January 2: After several days of protests in Iran, and after a number of people have been killed in clashes, Trump warns that the US will intervene if protesters continue to be killed. Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani tells Trump on X that US interference would cause “disruption across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.”
- January 4: Trump again warns that if Iranian authorities “start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that his country “will not yield to the enemy” and that rioters should be “put in their place.”
- January 8: Trump repeats his claim that the US will “hit” Iran “very hard” should violence against protesters continue, telling radio host Hugh Hewitt: “I have let them know that if they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots … we’re going to hit them very hard.”
- January 9: Trump posts a video on social media claiming that the Iranian regime has lost control of its second largest city, without evidence of this actually happening. Khamenei calls on Trump to “focus on the problems of his own country” in a televised address. “There are some agitators who want to please the American president by destroying public property. A united Iranian people will defeat all enemies,” Khamenei says.
- January 10: Trump says that the US is “ready to help” the Iranian people in a post on Truth Social. “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” he writes.
- January 11: Iran’s parliamentary speaker warns that authorities will treat US military and commercial bases as targets for retaliation if it intervenes militarily in Iranian affairs. Trump says that “Iran called to negotiate” with the US the day prior.
- January 12: Khamenei’s official X account posts a cartoon depicting Trump as a crumbling sarcophagus, with a message saying “this one too will be overthrown.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that his country is ready to negotiate with the US based on “mutual respect and interests.” Later in the day, Trump announces a 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran.
CNN’s Mostafa Salem, Tim Lister, Billy Stockwell, Nadeen Ebrahim, Kit Maher, Chris Lau, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, Helen Regan, Banafsheh Keynoush and Elisabeth Buchwald contributed to this reporting.
Dutch foreign minister summons Iranian ambassador to the Hague
The Dutch foreign minister has summoned Iran’s ambassador to protest Iran’s brutal crackdown of anti-government protests, the first European government to announce such a move.
“I have summoned the Iranian ambassador to formally protest the excessive violence against peaceful protesters, large-scale arbitrary arrests and internet shutdowns,” David van Weel said on Tuesday in a statement posted on X.
Van Weel called on Tehran to “respect fundamental rights and immediately restore internet access,” after Iranians have been cut off for at least 108 hours, according to internet-monitoring group NetBlocks.
Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France yesterday to protest their governments’ public support for the protests, according to an Iranian state broadcaster.
At least 500 demonstrators, including nine minors, have been killed and more than 10,000 have been arrested since the protests began in late December, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. CNN cannot independently verify those figures. Iranian state-affiliated media say more than 100 members of the security forces have been killed.
CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq and Hira Humayun contributed to this report
Iranian foreign minister criticizes Germany's Merz after he suggested regime could collapse
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the German government to “have some shame” after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Iranian regime could be facing its “last days and weeks.”
Merz earlier criticized the Iranian government, saying that “when a regime can only stay in power through violence then it has de facto reached the end.”
Araghchi said Berlin should “end its unlawful interference in our region,” while condemning Merz’ support for Israel during its war in Gaza following Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel.
Some calls going through and reduced protest activity in Tehran. Here's the latest
After a communications blackout lasted for more than four days, we are slowly beginning to hear more from those on the ground in Iran.
Here are some of the key developments in the last 24 hours:
- US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran “effective immediately.” China is one of Iran’s major trading partners, as is India, which is already reeling from existing US levies.
- China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in that “there are no winners in a tariff war,” adding that the country “will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
- Some people inside Iran have been able to use their phones to call abroad for the first time in days amid a nationwide communications blackout on the country. Internet access remains cut off.
- Because of this, we’ve been able to get more information on what’s going on from people inside the country. Two residents CNN spoke to today said that demonstrations in Tehran appear to have quietened down, at least for now.
- Meanwhile, fresh footage from protests across the country last night shows crowds chanting in the streets. One video shows Melli Bank, one of Iran’s largest state-owned banks, burned and blackened from the protests.
CNN’s Elisabeth Buchwald, Rhea Mogul, Helen Regan, Billy Stockwell and Zahid Mahmood contributed to this reporting.
Iran "ready" should the US want to "test" military action, foreign minister says
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Islamic Republic is “ready” should the US want to “test military action” against the country.
US President Donald Trump is weighing a series of potential military options in Iran following deadly protests in the country, two US officials told CNN, as the US president considers following through on his recent threats to strike the Iranian regime should it use lethal force against civilians during recent protests.
Araghchi also said in the interview that “January 8 should be considered an extension of the 12-day war” with Israel, explaining much of the lethal crackdown employed by the regime against protesters, many of whom are accused of collaborating with Israel.
Araghchi said Iran is, however, willing to engage in diplomatic talks, and that Tehran hopes Washington will choose a “wise option.” Trump had said that Iran called him on Saturday to negotiate.
Iran's death penalty threat for protesters "extremely worrying," UN human rights chief says
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has described as “extremely worrying” statements from Iranian officials that protesters could face the death penalty.
On Friday, Tehran’s prosecutor Ali Salehi said that some protesters in Iran could face the death penalty for their actions, according to the semi-official news agency Tasnim.
Turk cited reports that several hospitals in Iran were “overwhelmed” by the number of casualties, including children, amid the anti-regime protests across the country.
As with Iranian protests in 2022, Türk said the reaction from Iran’s authorities has been to “inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change.”
The UN human rights chief urged the Iranian authorities to “halt immediately all forms of violence and repression” and called for accountability for “serious violations.”
Footage released by pro-activist group shows protests across Iran as anti-government anger builds
As protests stretched into Monday night across multiple Iranian cities, this footage shows crowds chanting in the streets — and by morning, images of a burned-out bank were a visual reminder of anger at the government and the country’s economic crisis.
Video from the central city of Karaj released overnight by pro-reform activist outlet IranWire appears to show demonstrators marching and chanting, “by the end of the week Seyyed Ali is gone!” This is a reference to the full name of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
In Ahvaz, southwestern Iran, multiple videos show crowds marching, clapping and chanting pro-reform slogans, including “this is the last battle – Pahlavi is coming back” and “this is the year of blood Seyyed Ali will be overthrown.”
In Tehran a separate video shows a group chanting anti-government slogans, fire was also seen around the demonstrators.
By morning, more footage from the capital shows Melli Bank, one of Iran’s largest state-owned banks, burned and blackened from the protests.
Protest activity in Tehran appears to have reduced, residents tell CNN
As some landline and mobile calls from inside Iran appear to be working, we’re now getting fresh details about the state of protests in the capital city Tehran.
Demonstrations in Tehran appear to have quietened down, at least for now, with less protest activity on Monday than on previous nights, according to two residents who spoke to CNN on Tuesday.
The situation in other cities across the country is less clear amid the ongoing internet shutdown. Cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks said Tuesday that Iranians have been without internet access now for more than 108 hours.
Over the past few days, ordinary life in Tehran has continued, the residents said, adding that “intense” protest activity has mostly played out at night.
Just outside Tehran, a morgue overflowing with more body bags than answers
Video of bodies lining the streets outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center earlier this week has emerged despite Iran’s internet blackout, providing a vivid view of the protests’ rapidly rising death toll. CNN’s Jomana Karadsheh reports.
Video making its way past Iran’s internet blackout reveals harrowing scenes from earlier in the week at the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center south of Tehran. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh reports.
Some landline and mobile calls from inside Iran appear to be working amid communications blackout
Users of some landline and mobile phones in Iran have been able to call abroad for the first time since authorities imposed a nationwide communications blackout on the country last week.
Calls in the reverse direction are still not connecting, however, according to journalists working for CNN.
It comes after Iranian authorities cut internet and telephone lines Thursday night local time as mass anti-government protests ramped up across the country.
Internet access remains cut off, however. Cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks said Tuesday that Iranians have been without internet access for more than 108 hours.
US tariff on Iran's trading partners could deal a major blow to India
President Donald Trump’s move to slap a 25% tariff on nations that do business with Iran could deal a major blow to India, one of Iran’s top trading partners.
The move could mean a 75% tariff on goods from India, which is already reeling from existing American levies.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, India’s exports to Iran amounted to $1.24 billion while its imports totaled approximately $440 million, according to India’s embassy in Tehran.
Major Indian exports to Iran include basmati rice and tea, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), which visualizes and distributes international trade data.
Among India’s top imports from Iran are fruit and petroleum products, the OEC said.
Some context: Trump’s announcement further strains relations between the US and India. Last year, Trump doubled duties on goods from India to a minimum 50% tariff, seeking, in part, to punish the country for buying Russian oil.
At an event on Monday, the US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, said “both sides continue to actively engage” in trade talks. “No partner is more essential than India,” he said.
But while talks continue, tariffs are difficult to navigate for businesses in India.
The owner of Orient Craft, a major garment factory on the outskirts of New Delhi that supplies global brands such as Gap, Ralph Lauren, and American Eagle, told CNN that “another 25 percent will be a fatal blow.”
German Chancellor says he believes Iran regime facing its "last days and weeks"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday he believes the Iranian regime could be facing its “last days and weeks.”
“I assume that we are now seeing the last days and weeks of this regime,” Merz told reporters in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru while on a two-day official visit to the country.
Why China will be hit hard by the US tariffs targeting Iran
President Donald Trump has said countries that do business with Iran 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.
The new tariff could mean a minimum 45% tariff rate on goods from China versus the current rate of 20%.
China’s foreign ministry decried the move on Tuesday.
In the first 11 months of 2025, China exported $6.2 billion worth of goods to Iran and imported $2.85 billion, according to Chinese customs data.
That’s before accounting for oil purchases, which China doesn’t publicly disclose. Analysts estimate that China has accounted for more than 90% of Iran’s oil trade in recent years, imported through intermediaries.
The trade war between the US and China last year rocked global markets, with Trump raising tariffs on Chinese goods to a peak of 145%. The current tariff rate came about after lengthy negotiations.
A sculptor and two students are among those that a rights group says were killed by security forces
We’re learning more about some of the people killed in recent days as protests rock Iran.
An internet blackout has extended into a fifth day, but some details have been emerging, often through human rights groups with connections inside the country.
The dead include a sculptor from the eastern city of Mashhad, according to Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization.
Mehdi Salahshur, a married father of two, was killed when security forces fired on protesters with live ammunition, Hengaw said, citing a report it had received.
In addition to his own artwork, Salahshur was a sculpture instructor and owned a stone-carving workshop, according to Hengaw.
In the capital, two female students at Tehran University were killed by government forces during public protests last week.
Aida Heydari, a 21-year-old medical student and Zahra Bahlolipour, a 19-year-old studying Italian, were killed by direct fire from government forces, Hengaw reported.
Protests have been reported in numerous cities across all of Iran’s 31 provinces.
In a sign of just how far they’ve spread, protesters have also been reportedly killed on the island of Qeshm in the far south of the country near the strait of Hormuz.
One of them, Ako Mohammadi, was a 22-year-old Kurdish man originally from Salas Babajani in the country’s northwest. He was shot and killed by government forces while protesting in the city of Qeshm on the east of the island, according to Hengaw.
Citing “an informed source,” the Norway-based human rights organization said Iranian authorities had demanded money in order to return his body.
Russian security official condemns "external interference" in call with Iranian counterpart
A top Russian security official has condemned “external interference” in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart.
Sergei Shoigu, Russian National Security Council Secretary, strongly condemned “external interference in Iranian domestic affairs” in a phone call with the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, according to state media.
Shoigu condemned “the latest foreign attempt to overthrow the Iranian government” during the phone call, Russia’s Sputnik News Agency reported Tuesday.
The two also discussed regional developments and “strategic and long-term cooperation,” according to a report from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) network.
Larijani considered the expansion of cooperation between the two countries “a factor in regional stability,” IRIB reported.
The two nations have long enjoyed warm relations and military cooperation with Iran supplying critical drone technology to Russia during its war in Ukraine.
Russia, however, did little to support Iran when Israel and the US attacked military and nuclear sites inside the country in June 2025.
Trump announces tariffs to pressure Iran as protester deaths soar. Here's the latest
President Donald Trump has said countries that do business with Tehran will face a new 25% tariff, piling further pressure on Iran after he floated US military intervention to “rescue” anti-government protesters.
Iran is cracking down on the nationwide, weeks-long protests under the cover of their prolonged internet blackout. But some emerging videos have revealed the horror of the rapidly mounting toll, including one morgue overflowing with bodies as families search for their loved ones.
Here’s the latest:
- US tariffs target Iran: Trump’s tariff announcement raises many questions, including what qualifies as “doing business” with Iran, how these tariffs could work, and which countries would be targeted. It appears that goods from China, a major trading partner of both Iran and the US, would become significantly more expensive to import.
- Iran’s warning: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned US politicians to “stop their deception.” And Iran’s parliament speaker vowed that US military bases, ships, and personnel across the region would be targeted if Washington intervenes. Iran has also summoned several European ambassadors to show them footage of what it described as violent acts by protesters.
- Diplomatic momentum: Iran said it is “prepared” for war but open to US talks. But the White House said private messages from Iran are “quite different” from public messages. Iran’s foreign minister has communicated with US envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days, a source said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff “will continue” to be a key player in diplomatic discussions with Iran.
- Internet blackout: Iranians have struggled without access to internet or telephone lines for more than 100 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks. Iranian security forces are also reportedly clamping down on the use of Starlink. But there is little relief in sight after the president of Iran’s cyberspace council said the internet will remain restricted until full security has been restored.
- More bodies than answers: At least 512 protesters, including nine children, have been killed over more than two weeks of protests, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). CNN cannot independently verify these figures.
Trump slaps 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran
President Donald Trump said Monday that countries that do business with Iran will face a new 25% tariff.
The announcement appears to mean goods from China, a major trading partner of both Iran and the United States, would become significantly more expensive to import.
Trump did not define what qualifies as “doing business” with Iran. The post raised a number of questions, including how these additional tariffs could work, which countries would be targeted and whether services and not just goods would face higher duties.
In addition to China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey are considered major trading partners with Iran.
