Washington, Jan. 13 (SANA) Several countries have urged their citizens to leave Iran as protests enter their seventeenth day. According to human rights sources, over 645 people have died, including 512 protesters and 133 security personnel, with more than 10,720 arrests reported across 31 provinces.
The U.S. “virtual embassy” has advised Americans to leave immediately without relying on government assistance. Australia, Sweden, Poland, and India have issued similar warnings, while France has evacuated nonessential diplomatic staff.
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering military action in response to the killings. However, senior officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have urged giving diplomacy a chance before taking action. The White House stated that all options remain under consideration.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is “prepared for all options,” while talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff are ongoing. The Iranian Armed Forces have accused the U.S. and Israel of sending operatives to target both security personnel and civilians. Iran has also summoned the ambassadors of Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom over what it described as their support for the protesters.
The protests began on December 28 with a strike by merchants in Tehran‘s Grand Bazaar over the collapsing Rial and worsening economic crisis. The protests have spread to nearly 200 cities. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has blamed foreign actors, while President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public dissatisfaction and the government’s responsibility for the economic situation.
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