US President Donald Trump has once again threatened military action against Iran, as reports of a rising death toll from a brutal government crackdown on nationwide protests continue to emerge.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the United States was closely monitoring the situation and had deployed significant naval forces as a precaution.
“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction… maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said. “We’re watching Iran very closely. I’d rather not see anything happen.”
US fleet movements and tensions
While the Pentagon has not officially confirmed Trump’s remarks, US media reports said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group are currently in the Indian Ocean, moving towards the Middle East.
Trump has previously urged Iranian protesters to take over institutions, claiming that “help is on its way”. However, he had softened his tone last week after saying Tehran had conveyed that killings had stopped and no executions were planned for detained protesters.
Internet blackout clouds death toll
Iran has been rocked by anti-government protests since late December. Authorities imposed a nationwide internet and international phone blackout on January 8, severely limiting information flow. Internet monitor NetBlocks said the blackout has now entered its third week, while Cloudflare reported national data traffic at only about 30% of normal levels.
The communication shutdown has made it difficult to verify casualty figures. The Iranian government has claimed 3,117 deaths, including security personnel. In contrast, rights groups have reported far higher numbers.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said over 5,000 people have been killed and more than 26,800 arrested, while Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO, has verified at least 3,428 deaths.
UN and Iranian response
UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged Tehran to end what he called “brutal repression”, stating that women and children were among those killed. The UN Human Rights Council voted to launch a probe into alleged abuses.
Iran has accused the US and Israel of fuelling unrest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it had its “finger on the trigger” and threatened retaliation if attacked.
As tensions escalate, fears are growing that the crisis could spill beyond Iran’s borders.