A wave of protests sparked by Iran's failing economy has entered its ninth day, as President Donald Trump renewed his threat of US intervention. Trump warned overnight that Iranian authorities would be "hit very hard" if more protesters died. Iran and Israel fought a 12-day war last June, during which Israeli and US jets bombed key Iranian nuclear facilities. Another video purportedly showed security forces storming a hospital in the western city of Ilam, where a human rights activist said wounded protesters were sheltering. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands detained in a violent crackdown by security forces.

Source: The Star January 05, 2026 15:12 UTC