The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran spiked Tuesday to at least 2,000 people killed, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said, even as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications during a crackdown.
The activist group said 1,847 of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Another nine children were killed, and nine civilians who were not taking part in the protests were also killed. It said over 16,700 people had been detained.
President Trump urging the Iranian
regime leaders to show humanity while
encouraging protesters to take over
their country's institutions. This as he
takes his economic message on the road
addressing the Detroit Economic Club.
And today's Washington correspondent
Mariosu brings us more from Detroit. To
all Iranian patriots,
keep protesting.
Take over your institutions if possible
and save the name of the killers and the
abusers that are abusing you.
>> President Trump escalating his threats
to Iran. Uh telling anti-Iranian regime
protesters to keep protesting and that
help is on its way.
>> Then I've canled all meetings with the
Iranian officials until the senseless
killing of protesters stops.
And all I say to them is help is on its
way. You saw that I put tariffs on
anybody doing business with Iran. Just
went into effect today.
>> This coming as the Iranian regime is
cracking down on the biggest protests in
years. A US-based human rights agency
now reports 2,000 have been killed.
However, other reports say that medical
officials across Iran believe the toll
to be at least 12,000 and possibly even
20,000.
>> Now, I hear five different sets of
numbers. I hear numbers. Look, one death
is too much. But I hear much lower
numbers and then I hear much higher
numbers, but I say save their names
because they'll pay a very big price.
>> The death toll ultimately unknown as
authorities have blocked the internet
off since Thursday with billionaire Elon
Musk now offering free Starlink in Iran
as blackouts there persist. Meanwhile,
President Trump strongly defending his
tariff strategy here in Motor City,
warning of a crisis if the Supreme Court
rules against his tariffs.
>> Now, an anti- tariff person is a
pro-Chinese person. Can you believe
this?
Brought a case brought about by people
that are Chinaentric,
foreign, but China. I wouldn't want it
if I was China either. You know, China's
our one of our biggest taxpayers right
now. China.
>> This coming as the White House touts the
lowest gas prices and mortgage rates in
years with President Trump last week
announcing he's calling on Congress to
codify banning Wall Street from buying
single family homes.
>> As you know, you saw the $200 billion
buy in on bonds and mortgages. And just
last week, the average 30-year mortgage
drop below 6% for the first time in many
years. That gives me hope for all of
these young people and it gives me hope
for all of those young votes that we're
going to need in the midterm election.
And I believe that all of the 20, 30,
and 40 year olds that are actually
starting to enjoy prosperity, they have
hope for the future. The economy is
looking bright.
>> I think those are excellent catalyst
because you know what I notice is that
for a first-time home buyer, it's very
difficult. I think uh you know the
American dream is about owning a home,
right? And the president says that he'll
have more housing related announcements
to make next week at the World Economic
Forum where he'll be speaking in Davos,
Switzerland. Reporting from Detroit,
Mario, NT News.
