For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, and the Cradle; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for IRAN 1-4-26, and up or down for MEDIA, WEST BANK, GAZA, VENEZUELA and UKRAINE.) — MCM
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NEWER Death toll in crackdown on protests in Iran spikes to at least 538, activists say, by Jon Gambrell | AP DUBAI — A crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed at least 538 people and even more are feared dead, activists said today, while Tehran warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE and HERE for a second AP report, and another from Middle East Eye.
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‘Rioters’ must not disrupt Iranian society: President Pezeshkian on state TV. From AFP. In his first remarks after three nights of protest against the authorities, President Masoud Pezeshkian told state broadcaster IRIB that “people should believe that we [the government] want to establish justice.” READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same brief AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.
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Son of Iran’s toppled Shah seeks a role as protests expand. From Reuters. TEHRAN — Reza Pahlavi, 65, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran has become a prominent voice spurring on protesters staging the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years. READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 10 Iranian police arrest 100, dismantle ‘terror cells’ amid riot crackdown. From the Cradle. Iranian police announced on 10 January the arrest of 100 people accused of “rioting and disrupting security” and the dismantling of two armed cells in western Iran, according to semi-official news agency Tasnim. READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 9 Khamenei slams ‘arrogant’ Trump, vows Iran ‘will not back down’ as violent riots spread. From the Cradle. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed in a speech on Friday that Tehran “will not back down” in the face of U.S. pressure and threats, while strongly condemning foreign-backed rioters causing unrest in the country. READ MORE . . .
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