International
Iran Unrest: Two Policemen Killed as Protests Spread to 111 Cities
Iran Unrest: Two Policemen Killed as Protests Spread to 111 Cities
Violent clashes erupted across Iran on Wednesday as anti-government protests driven by a deepening economic crisis entered their 11th day, leaving multiple casualties and hundreds arrested amid a heavy security crackdown.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported that two police officers were shot dead by armed individuals during unrest in Lordegan, a town in the country’s south-west. The officers were identified as Hadi Azarsalim and Moslem Mahdavinasab.
Videos circulating on social media and verified by BBC Persian showed tense confrontations between protesters and security forces in several cities, with gunfire and tear gas heard and seen as crowds chanted slogans and hurled stones.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), protests have spread to 111 cities and towns across all 31 provinces. HRANA said at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have been killed, while more than 2,200 protesters have been arrested. BBC Persian has independently confirmed the deaths and identities of 21 people, while Iranian authorities acknowledge the deaths of five security personnel.
The protests began on December 28 in Tehran, after shopkeepers demonstrated against another sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. The currency has hit a record low, with inflation rising to about 40%, as sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, coupled with government mismanagement and corruption, continue to strain the economy.
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Demonstrations quickly spread to universities and other cities, with protesters chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and, in some cases, expressing support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah.
On Wednesday, verified footage showed crowds in Qazvin chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Long live the shah.” In Bandar Abbas, protesters briefly called on police to support them before being dispersed. In Mashhad, clashes forced security forces to retreat, while in Abadan, demonstrators chanted slogans rejecting Iran’s clerical leadership.
As night fell, security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Aligudarz, while additional footage appeared to show officers opening fire as they retreated from advancing crowds in other locations.
Following a cabinet meeting, Vice-President Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah said President Masoud Pezeshkian had ordered that peaceful protesters should not face security measures, while warning that armed individuals attacking police or military sites would be treated as rioters.
State media reported that the government had begun paying 71 million citizens a new monthly allowance of about $7 to ease the impact of the rising cost of living. Meanwhile, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said those involved in violence would face swift prosecution to deter further unrest.
Ayatollah Khamenei said authorities should engage with protesters but insisted that “rioters should be put in their place,” comments that followed warnings from US President Donald Trump, who threatened intervention if peaceful protesters were killed.
Analysts say the unrest reflects widespread frustration. Dr Sanam Vakil of Chatham House said the protests had become political, driven by public anger over worsening living conditions. Another analyst, Sadegh Zibakalam of the University of Tehran, suggested Iranian authorities may be acting cautiously to avoid provoking foreign intervention.
The demonstrations are the most widespread since the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, which ended in a deadly crackdown that killed hundreds, according to human rights groups.
Iran Unrest: Two Policemen Killed as Protests Spread to 111 Cities
BBC
International
Two Women Killed in Georgia Shootings as Nigerian-Born Suspect Faces Murder Charges
Two Women Killed in Georgia Shootings as Nigerian-Born Suspect Faces Murder Charges
A 26-year-old United States citizen of Nigerian origin, Olaolukitan Adon Abel, has been arrested in connection with a series of shootings that claimed the lives of two women and left a man critically injured in the state of Georgia.
The incidents occurred across multiple locations, including DeKalb County and Brookhaven, sparking widespread concern among residents. Authorities have described the attacks as seemingly random, with no confirmed motive at this stage.
According to law enforcement officials, the shootings took place at a Checkers outlet on Wesley Chapel Road, a Kroger store at Cherokee Plaza in Brookhaven, and along Battle Forest Drive in DeKalb County.
Investigators were able to trace Abel through rental vehicle records, leading to his eventual arrest in Troup County. He is currently facing two counts of murder, along with charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, a DeKalb County magistrate judge transferred the case to a superior court after the suspect’s legal team waived a formal reading of the charges. Details regarding his next court appearance have not yet been disclosed.
Authorities also revealed that this is not Abel’s first encounter with the law. He was previously convicted of a felony in California in 2024. In a separate case last year, he was arrested in Savannah and later pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. He was subsequently sentenced to 48 months’ probation, banned from the city for four years, and ordered to undergo a psychosexual evaluation.
Court records from Chatham County confirm that Abel is a United States citizen.
Police officials have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat, emphasizing that the suspect is now in custody. Investigations remain ongoing as detectives continue to analyze evidence to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attacks.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time,” a police spokesperson said, adding that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice and public safety.
Two Women Killed in Georgia Shootings as Nigerian-Born Suspect Faces Murder Charges
International
US Senate Rejects Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Powers
US Senate Rejects Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Powers
The United States Senate has voted against a resolution that sought to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to carry out further military strikes on Iran without prior approval from Congress, in a move that underscores deep divisions in Washington over war powers and executive authority.
In a closely watched vote, senators rejected the measure by 52 votes to 47, effectively allowing the president to continue ongoing military operations against Iran without needing immediate congressional authorization.
The proposed resolution, introduced under the framework of the War Powers Act, was aimed at reasserting Congress’s constitutional role in decisions involving armed conflict. Lawmakers backing the measure argued that the escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran required clear legislative approval to prevent a broader and potentially prolonged war.
However, the effort fell short, with most Republican senators voting against the proposal, aligning with the president’s position that the executive branch retains the authority to act swiftly in matters of national security. The vote largely followed party lines, although there were notable exceptions. Republican Senator Rand Paul broke ranks to support the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it.
Supporters of the failed measure warned that allowing continued military engagement without congressional oversight risks setting a dangerous precedent and undermines the balance of powers enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. They maintained that Congress must play a decisive role in authorizing acts of war, particularly in a volatile region like the Middle East.
Opponents, however, contended that imposing restrictions on the president at this stage could weaken the United States’ strategic position and limit its ability to respond effectively to emerging threats. They argued that the commander-in-chief must retain flexibility to protect American interests and personnel.
This marks the latest in a series of unsuccessful attempts by lawmakers to curb presidential war-making powers in relation to Iran. Analysts note that the repeated failure of such measures reflects enduring political divisions and the challenges Congress faces in reclaiming authority over military engagements.
The vote comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with concerns growing internationally over the risk of further escalation. While the Senate’s decision preserves the president’s current latitude to act, it also signals that the debate over war powers is far from settled, with the possibility of renewed legislative efforts in the coming weeks.
As the situation continues to evolve, attention is expected to remain focused on both the White House and Capitol Hill, where questions over the scope of executive power and the role of Congress in matters of war and peace persist.
US Senate Rejects Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Powers
International
Trump Claims China Agrees to Halt Arms Supply to Iran
Trump Claims China Agrees to Halt Arms Supply to Iran
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
In a statement shared via his verified account on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said he had secured an understanding with Chinese President Xi Jinping to prevent arms transfers to Tehran.
“They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting???” Trump wrote.
He added a warning note on U.S. military strength, stating that while diplomacy remains preferable, the United States is “very good at fighting, if we have to — far better than anyone else.”
The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Iran and ongoing military developments in the region, which Trump referred to as “Operation Epic Fury.” However, no official confirmation has been provided by the U.S. government or international bodies regarding the existence or scope of such an operation.
Chinese authorities have not publicly confirmed any agreement to halt weapons transfers to Iran as of the time of filing this report. Analysts note that Beijing has historically maintained strategic and economic ties with Tehran, making any sudden policy shift significant if verified. Foreign policy experts have also urged caution in interpreting Trump’s statement, stressing that it reflects his personal account rather than a confirmed diplomatic agreement.
If substantiated, such an arrangement could mark a major development in international efforts to contain military escalation in the Middle East. China remains a key global player with influence over Iran, and any restriction on arms supply could affect the balance of power in the region. However, in the absence of independent verification, observers say the claim should be treated as part of ongoing political messaging rather than established fact.
Trump has remained an influential voice in U.S. and global politics, frequently using his social media platforms to comment on international affairs and ongoing conflicts.
Trump Claims China Agrees to Halt Arms Supply to Iran
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