• A senior cleric in Iran has called for the death penalty for detained protesters.
• U.S. President Trump has warned that executions of protesters would provoke military action.
• The death toll from recent protests in Iran may exceed 3,000 according to activist reports.
• Tensions remain high as both U.S. and Russian leaders seek to de-escalate the situation.
• Discontent continues to manifest with exiled Iranians asserting their demands overseas.

A senior hard-line cleric in Iran, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, has called for the death penalty for arrested demonstrators during a sermon that underscored the regime's hardline stance against dissent. His remarks, broadcast via state radio, included threats towards U.S. President Trump, stating that those protesting were “Trump’s soldiers” and calling for “hard revenge” against foreign leaders perceived as antagonistic to Iran. This sermon comes amidst a harsh crackdown that has reportedly left thousands dead and ongoing unrest following protests centered on Iran's declining economy and governmental authority, according to South China Morning Post, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.

The Iranian government has effectively quelled most visible expressions of dissent, as civic life slowly returns to a semblance of normalcy in the capital with business and social activities resuming. However, a week-long internet blackout remains in effect, limiting communication and data flow, which critics cite as a tool for further suppression. Reports indicate no new protests have erupted, yet the situation remains fluid amid continued repression, according to Los Angeles Times and NPR.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported that as many as 3,090 people have died as a result of the protests, marking the deadliest spate of unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This toll is higher than any previously recorded incidents of state violence against protesters, illustrating a potentially escalating crisis within the nation, according to South China Morning Post, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.

As tensions between Tehran and Washington escalate, Trump has signaled a possible shift away from immediate military intervention, expressing gratitude for the news that Iran is not currently carrying out executions against protesters. This apparent conciliatory stance contrasts sharply with statements coming from Iranian officials, further complicating international relations concerning the unrest, according to Los Angeles Times and NPR.

Adding to the complexity, thousands of exiled Iranians have marched in streets across Europe to express their discontent with the Iranian regime. Despite the lack of protests inside Iran, support for the reform movement continues among the diaspora, with leaders urging action against the Iranian government during these troubled times. This dynamic indicates that while dissent may be stifled within Iran, it finds expression in the international arena, according to South China Morning Post, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.