Iran warns US of war as protest deaths near 4,000

Tehran issues warning amid escalating rhetoric with Washington

Iran has warned the United States that any move against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be treated as an act of war, as the country faces its deadliest wave of internal unrest in decades. The warning comes amid heightened tensions with Washington and growing international scrutiny over Iran’s handling of nationwide protests.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Tehran would respond firmly to any military action by the United States. In a post on X, he stated that any “unjust aggression” would draw a harsh and regrettable response, adding that targeting the supreme leader would amount to an all-out war against the nation.

Supreme Leader accuses the US and allies

Earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly criticized US President Donald Trump, calling him a criminal and accusing the United States and Israel of backing what he described as “terrorists and rioters.” Khamenei acknowledged that several thousand people had died during the unrest but placed responsibility on external actors and armed groups operating from abroad.

The remarks reflect an increasingly confrontational tone from Iran’s leadership as pressure mounts over the scale of casualties and detentions.

Death toll revised upward, mass arrests reported

A US-based monitoring group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), said it had verified at least 3,919 deaths linked to the protests, revising its earlier figure of 3,308. The agency said the toll surpasses fatalities recorded during any previous protest movement in Iran in recent decades, drawing comparisons to the upheaval surrounding the 1979 revolution.

HRANA also reported that more than 24,000 people have been detained by Iranian authorities. An Iranian official told Reuters that the verified death count was unlikely to rise sharply, while again alleging foreign involvement in organizing and equipping protesters.

Judiciary signals possible executions

Iran’s judiciary has indicated that executions could proceed in cases linked to the unrest. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said certain actions had been classified as “Mohareb,” an Islamic legal term referring to waging war against God, which carries the death penalty under Iranian law.

The developments have drawn sharp reactions from Washington. Trump has repeatedly warned of possible intervention if protesters continue to be killed or executed. In recent remarks, he said it was time for “new leadership” in Iran, while also noting that Iranian authorities had delayed planned executions, a move he described as worthy of respect.