Iran Protests Live Updates: Trump 'thanks' Tehran for not hanging protesters

Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran is grappling with one of its most volatile periods of unrest in decades, as protests that erupted over a worsening economic crisis have morphed into a broad-based anti-government movement challenging the ruling theocracy. Demonstrations spread across major cities despite a sweeping internet shutdown imposed by authorities, severely limiting independent verification and cutting millions off from the outside world.Human rights groups say the crackdown has been brutal. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has reported that more than 2,500 people have been killed and over tens of thousands have been arrested, with hospitals overwhelmed by gunshot victims, including hundreds suffering serious eye injuries. Fears of executions intensified after reports that a young protester arrested in Karaj was scheduled to be put to death, raising alarm over the regime’s use of capital punishment to quell dissent, according to reports by The Guardian.The unrest has sharply escalated tensions with Washington. US President Donald Trump has alternated between threatening action and signalling restraint, warning Iran against killing or executing protesters while urging demonstrators — whom he called “Iranian patriots” — to keep up the protests, saying “help is on its way.” On Wednesday, Trump said he had been told the killing had stopped and that there were no plans for executions, though he declined to name his sources and said the US would “watch and see,” keeping military options on the table.International concern continues to mount amid uncertainty on the ground. Iran has accused the US of inciting violence and threatening its sovereignty, while Russia warned against external interference and European powers summoned Iranian ambassadors over the crackdown. Iran’s decision to close its airspace to commercial flights has added to fears of further escalation, as questions persist over the true scale of violence and the country’s political future.Iran signalled a hardening stance on Wednesday, with senior officials indicating that fast-track trials and executions could soon be carried out against those detained during nationwide protests. At the same time, the Islamic Republic warned that it would retaliate forcefully if the United States or Israel intervened in what Tehran described as its internal affairs. However, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday there would not be any "hanging today or tomorrow," despite earlier vows from Tehran to fast-track trials for protesters. Iran also briefly closed its airspace on Wednesday, allowing only international flights with official permission, citing security concerns, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration.