Iran says scores of security forces killed in protests

New Delhi, Jan 11: Iran’s state media has reported that dozens of security personnel have been killed during widespread protests over the country’s deepening economic crisis, as senior Iranian leaders warned the United States and Israel against any military action, Al Jazeera reported.

State television said 30 police and security force members were killed in Isfahan province, while Iran’s Law Enforcement Command said eight personnel died on January 8 and 9 during operations to quell unrest in several cities.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency put the nationwide death toll among security forces at 109.

The Iranian Red Crescent also confirmed that one of its members was killed in an attack on a relief building in Gorgan, in Golestan province.

The reports come amid what authorities describe as the country’s largest protests in years, driven by soaring inflation and living costs.

While the Interior Ministry said the unrest was gradually subsiding, the attorney general warned that those involved could face the death penalty.

Addressing parliament, Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against “a miscalculation,” saying that if Iran were attacked, Israel and all US bases and ships would become “legitimate targets,” Al Jazeera reported.

The remarks followed renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump, who said the US was “ready to help” protesters and again raised the possibility of strikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, a nationwide internet shutdown has continued for more than 60 hours.