Tehran: The leadership in Iran remained defiant on Friday, standing firm against threats from U.S. President Donald Trump while alleging a foreign conspiracy had been thwarted on its territory. The intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) accused the United States and Israel of attempting to undermine Iran's geographical unity through a command room they allegedly set up within Iran, following the 12-day war in June 2025. A statement distributed by the Iranian news agency Tasnim revealed that 735 individuals had been arrested or summoned, and several foreign intelligence networks had been dismantled, although no concrete evidence was provided to support these claims.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Trump announced on Thursday that a 'massive fleet' was en route to the waters near Iran, prompting a strong response from Major General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC, who declared that the Iranian armed forces were ready for any confrontation. This exchange follows past incidents where Israel and the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and other installations in a military campaign, fueling ongoing speculation about potential escalations.
In Tehran, the leadership blamed recent mass protests, which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths, on foreign influence. The Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) verified 5,002 deaths, including protesters, security personnel, minors, and bystanders, with additional deaths under investigation. The U.S.-based activist network reported approximately 26,800 arrests, contrasting with the government's claim of 3,117 fatalities, labeling the events as riots. The protests, initially sparked by an economic crisis, saw a brutal crackdown, marking an unprecedented level of violence against demonstrators in the Islamic Republic's history.
Iran's judiciary denied President Trump's assertion that 800 executions had been stopped due to U.S. military threats. Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad refuted this claim on state radio, emphasizing the government's stance amidst the unrest.
Meanwhile, internet connectivity in Iran showed signs of recovery after a two-week shutdown, allowing users to reconnect with the world through VPNs and messaging apps. The IT company Cloudflare reported data traffic reaching around 30% of pre-shutdown levels. However, the heavily censored network posed challenges for businesses and journalism, drawing criticism from both domestic media and international organizations like Amnesty International.
Amid these tensions, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to investigate the violence in Iran. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk urged an end to state violence against protesters and warned against military escalation, emphasizing that accountability for human rights abuses cannot be achieved through force.
In a related development, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned nine vessels involved in transporting Iranian oil, aiming to cut off financial support for terrorism and weaken Iran's leadership through these measures.