At least 7,005 people have been killed in Iran during security forces’ operations to suppress anti-government protests, according to a report released Thursday by the US-based human rights organization HRANA. The group said the dead include 214 members of government forces. HRANA stated that it verifies information through a network of activists inside Iran and that limited communication has slowed data collection and verification, leading to gradual updates of the death toll.

In contrast, the Iranian government’s only official figure, released on January 21, reported 3,117 deaths related to the protests. Tehran has previously faced accusations of underreporting or withholding casualty figures during unrest, though the Associated Press could not obtain further details on the current figures.

The report emerged amid heightened tensions surrounding ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance on Iran. Trump said he prioritizes resolving the issue through negotiations but warned that failure to reach an agreement could bring harsher consequences for Iran.

Iran has reaffirmed that its missile program is non-negotiable, a stance that could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts with the United States. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, made the declaration on Wednesday during an event marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. His comments came after mediated talks between Iranian and US officials in Oman last week failed to produce a breakthrough. Tehran insists discussions should focus solely on nuclear issues, while Washington seeks to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional alliances.

US President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages about the negotiations, describing the first round as “very good” but also warning of possible military action if Iran does not meet US demands. Trump has also suggested deploying a second aircraft carrier toward Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that the country will not yield to “excessive demands.”

Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, have continued regional consultations, meeting Qatar’s emir to discuss the talks. Both sides remain in contact about a potential second round, though no date has been set.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has approved a proposal to pardon or reduce the sentences of more than 2,000 convicted offenders. The decision, announced on Tuesday, followed a recommendation from Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni. A total of 2,108 individuals convicted in general and revolutionary courts, military judicial bodies, and government penal institutions will benefit from pardons, sentence reductions, or commutations.

The proposal was made in a letter from the judiciary chief to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Such clemency measures are traditionally announced during major religious and national occasions, when the judiciary chief seeks the leader’s approval for leniency toward eligible prisoners under Iranian law.

The move aligns with Iran’s customary practice of granting pardons during significant national celebrations, reflecting both symbolic and administrative aspects of the country’s judicial system.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani arrived in Oman on Tuesday, just days after a new round of nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States took place in Muscat. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Larijani is scheduled to meet with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi during his visit.

Reports indicate that the meetings will focus on recent regional and international developments, as well as efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Iran and Oman. The visit follows renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, which held direct talks in Oman last Friday.

The Muscat discussions marked the first direct dialogue between the two countries since the 12-day Iran–Israel conflict in June of the previous year, highlighting Oman’s continued role as a mediator in regional diplomacy.

Iran’s government tightened its stance on Monday, launching a nationwide wave of arrests following recent protests. At the same time, Tehran indicated that it remains open to diplomatic engagement with the United States over its nuclear program, according to AFP. Among those detained was Javad Emam, spokesperson for the main reformist coalition, as authorities moved against several political figures and activists.

The arrests coincided with ongoing discussions between Iranian and U.S. officials in Oman, which both sides described as positive. Days earlier, a court extended the prison term of Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist Narges Mohammadi, and on Monday, authorities detained Hossein Karubi, son of opposition leader Mehdi Karubi. The government has labeled the protests as “riots,” alleging foreign provocation by Israel and the United States.

Observers view the current unrest as one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tehran appears to be pursuing a dual strategy—cracking down on dissent while exploring potential diplomatic openings with Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday in Tehran that Iran will never abandon uranium enrichment in talks with the United States. He emphasized that Tehran is not afraid of US war threats, even with the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Araghchi said Iran has little trust in Washington’s intentions and doubts whether the US is serious about negotiations.

He added that Iran is maintaining regular consultations with China and Russia, describing them as strategic partners in nuclear matters. The minister reiterated that no one has the right to dictate Iran’s behavior and that enrichment will continue even under the threat of war. Following a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel last June, the US and Iran resumed talks in Oman last Friday, with Tehran seeking the lifting of US economic sanctions.

Western countries and Israel have accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim repeatedly denied by Tehran. Araghchi said Iran’s nuclear program is meant to assert independence from major powers, not to build bombs. He also rejected expanding the talks to include Iran’s missile program or regional activities.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the United States to show respect as both countries prepare for another round of nuclear negotiations next week following mediated discussions in Oman. Pezeshkian described the indirect talks as a step forward and reaffirmed that Iran’s stance is rooted in rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tehran’s leadership emphasized sovereignty and independence, rejecting US military buildup in the region while expressing willingness for nuclear-only dialogue.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran will not abandon nuclear enrichment for civilian purposes, even under threat of military action, and said he informed US envoys, as well as China and Russia, of the Muscat discussions. Iran’s top military commander warned that any attack on the country could ignite a regional conflict, though he stressed that Tehran does not seek war. The statements come ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, when nationwide demonstrations are planned.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to face domestic unrest, with protests over economic hardship and alleged state violence. Conflicting casualty figures persist, and human rights groups accuse security forces of mass killings, while authorities blame foreign interference and deny widespread arrests of medical workers.

Iranian human rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to a total of seven and a half years in prison, according to her lawyer and a supporting organization. Lawyer Mostafa Nili told AFP that Mohammadi received six years for 'assembly and collusion to commit crimes' and another one and a half years for 'spreading anti-state propaganda.' The ruling also includes two years of exile in Khosf, South Khorasan Province, and a two-year travel ban. Nili said the verdict is not final and can be appealed, expressing hope that Mohammadi might be temporarily released on medical grounds due to serious health issues.

Mohammadi began a hunger strike on February 2 to protest restrictions on contacting her lawyer and family. The Narges Foundation stated she ended the strike on its sixth day, though her health remains in critical condition. She was arrested on December 12 after protesting the mysterious death of lawyer Khosro Alikordi. Prosecutor Hassan Hematifar accused her of making provocative remarks at a memorial event in Mashhad.

Mohammadi, deputy director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, is Iran’s second female Nobel Peace Prize winner after Shirin Ebadi in 2003.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sharply criticized the recent US military presence in the region, declaring that Iran is not intimidated by the deployment of American naval forces. Speaking at a forum in Tehran on Sunday, Araghchi said the country would continue its uranium enrichment and broader nuclear program despite mounting US military and diplomatic pressure.

According to TRT World, Araghchi’s remarks came two days after an indirect meeting in Oman with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Following that meeting, Witkoff visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, currently stationed in the region as part of a US show of force. Araghchi dismissed the deployment as insignificant, emphasizing that Iran’s nuclear program is a matter of national sovereignty and not a bargaining tool.

He added that Tehran is prepared to face the risk of armed conflict to protect its nuclear infrastructure. The statement follows years of escalating tension since the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and subsequent regional clashes, including US and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities in 2025.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that dialogue remains the key to peacefully resolving disputes, following recent indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Oman. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, he said the discussions, supported by regional countries, signaled a step forward in reducing tensions. Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran has always prioritized dialogue for peaceful solutions and reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is its legitimate right.

The talks came after heightened tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s threats of military action against Iran. Following the first round of discussions in Oman on Friday, Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi described the meeting as a good start but warned that if Washington targets Iranian territory, Tehran would strike US bases in the region. He also confirmed that a second round of talks with the United States would take place soon.

The renewed diplomatic engagement suggests cautious optimism for de-escalation, though both sides remain firm on national security and sovereignty issues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has announced that a second round of talks with the United States will take place soon. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he reaffirmed that uranium enrichment is Tehran’s legitimate right and said that building mutual trust will take time. Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s nuclear enrichment program would continue and could not be destroyed even by bombings.

Following the first round of talks held in Oman on Friday, Araghchi described the discussions as a good start but warned that if Washington targets Iranian territory, Tehran would retaliate against U.S. bases in the region. The renewed dialogue comes after last year’s collapse of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington following Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

The United States has deployed an aircraft carrier toward Iran after suppressing anti-government protests in the country. Araghchi stated that Iran is ready to reach an agreement on uranium enrichment and that the nuclear issue can only be resolved through dialogue.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply, with Washington deploying major military assets to the Middle East following President Donald Trump’s call for the removal of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. has demanded that Tehran dismantle its nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile programs and curb its regional influence, warning of a more severe attack if Iran refuses to negotiate. Iran’s parliament has declared its nuclear and missile capabilities as a national red line, viewing U.S. pressure as a threat of regime change.

Analysts cited in the report warn that any U.S. military strike could destabilize not only Iran but the entire region. Such action might consolidate Iran’s ruling power, empower the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or trigger internal conflict. Tehran has vowed retaliation through regional allies, potentially drawing Israel and Gulf states into a wider confrontation.

The article concludes that a U.S. attack could ignite regional war, disrupt global energy markets, drive up inflation, and increase refugee flows toward Europe, amplifying global instability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran is prepared for both peace and war, as the date for the second round of indirect talks with the United States remains undecided. In an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera, Araghchi confirmed that both sides have agreed to hold the next round of discussions but have yet to finalize the schedule. He emphasized that Tehran and Washington view the talks as urgent.

Araghchi highlighted that the word “urgent” is crucial, warning that any delay could allow hardline factions in Iran or the influence of the Israel lobby in Washington to derail the process. Addressing questions about the risk of war, he acknowledged that the possibility always exists but reiterated Iran’s readiness for either outcome.

He also reassured regional countries that if the United States attacks Iran, Tehran would target American forces stationed in the region, not neighboring states. Araghchi further noted that trust between the two nations remains fragile following last year’s war and that rebuilding confidence will take time.

The United States has announced new sanctions against Iran aimed at curbing the country’s oil exports. According to the report, Washington imposed restrictions on 14 ships, 15 Iranian companies, and two individuals. The U.S. State Department stated that President Donald Trump remains committed to halting Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports. The sanctions also prohibit any transactions involving the 14 vessels, which include ships from Turkey, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

The State Department explained that these measures are part of broader efforts to prevent other countries from purchasing Iranian oil, a policy that has continued since Trump’s first administration. The sanctions are intended to tighten pressure on Tehran’s energy sector and limit its international trade.

In a related development, representatives from the United States and Iran met in Muscat, Oman, on Friday to discuss ways to ease ongoing tensions. The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the U.S. side included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and U.S. Central Command chief Brad Cooper.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described recent indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Muscat, Oman, as a 'good start.' The discussions, mediated by Oman, took place on Friday and lasted about six hours. The U.S. delegation included special envoy Steve Witkoff, presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper. Araghchi said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere and indicated a possible consensus to continue dialogue, though no roadmap was set to ease fears of potential U.S. attacks.

Araghchi emphasized that the discussions focused solely on nuclear issues and were conducted in a calm, threat-free environment. He stated that Iran clearly presented its positions and concerns, while also listening to the U.S. side. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi played an active mediating role, facilitating message exchanges between the two sides.

According to Araghchi, the next round of talks will be determined after further consultations through Oman. He noted that overcoming the deep mistrust that developed over the past eight months following the war with Israel remains the first challenge to building a new dialogue framework.