Post by : Meena Ariff

Iran has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that six Indian nationals were arrested by Iranian police amid ongoing anti-government protests that have disrupted daily life in Tehran and several other cities.

Addressing the reports, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, dismissed the allegations as false and urged people to rely only on credible and verified sources for updates related to developments in the country. In a post shared on social media platform X, the envoy clarified that misinformation was being spread by foreign accounts regarding Iran’s internal situation. He said the reports circulating online about recent developments in Iran were completely false and appealed to the public to follow information only from reliable sources.

Iran has been witnessing widespread demonstrations sparked by a sharp rise in the cost of living, soaring inflation, and the rapid collapse of the national currency. The Iranian rial has fallen to historic lows, intensifying public anger over economic hardship, unemployment, and the impact of international sanctions. What began as protests over economic distress have gradually escalated into direct criticism of the country’s Islamic leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

Demonstrations have spread across multiple provinces, with major gatherings reported in Tehran, Mashhad, Kerman, and several other urban centres. Protesters have taken to the streets in large numbers, voicing frustration over inflation, governance, and declining living standards.

According to activist groups, at least 544 people have been killed during the government’s crackdown on protests, while more than 10,600 individuals have reportedly been detained over the past two weeks. The majority of those killed are said to be protesters, while several members of the security forces have also lost their lives. Iranian authorities have not released official nationwide casualty figures, though state media has aired funerals of fallen security personnel and footage showing violence in certain regions.

With internet services severely restricted and phone networks disrupted, confirming information from inside Iran has become increasingly difficult. Activists and rights groups fear that the communication blackout has emboldened hardline elements within the security forces to intensify their response against demonstrators.

The unrest has drawn international attention, with the United States closely monitoring the situation. US President Donald Trump has said his administration is considering a range of responses to Iran’s handling of the protests, including cyber measures and potential military options. He warned that strong action could follow if the situation worsens.

In response, senior Iranian leaders have warned that any foreign intervention would be met with retaliation. Iranian officials stated that American military bases and Israeli targets in the region would be considered legitimate targets if force is used against Iran. Hardline rhetoric has intensified within Iran’s parliament, with lawmakers openly condemning the US and Israel and issuing warnings of pre-emptive action.

Despite the tough stance from authorities, demonstrations continue to erupt sporadically. Videos circulating online show protesters gathering at night, waving mobile phone lights, chanting slogans, and confronting security forces in various neighbourhoods.

Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public grievances but stressed that while people have concerns that need to be addressed, the government would not allow what he described as “rioters” to destabilise the country.

As economic pressure mounts and political tensions escalate, Iran faces one of its most serious domestic challenges in recent years, with the situation remaining volatile and under close watch by the international community.