The number of people killed in protests in Iran has tripled in just a few hours, from 65 to at least 192 , according to the latest update from the US-based NGO Human Rights Activists News Agency. Sky News reports, adding that seven of the victims are minors . The toll could be much higher as the days-long internet shutdown is hampering verification.

Most of the people were killed by live ammunition or pellet gunfire, mostly at close range, the NGO claims. Thirty-seven of the victims were members of the armed forces or security forces, including one prosecutor. A total of 2,638 people have been arrested .

Meanwhile, the possibility of a US attack is growing: Israel, Reuters reports, is on high alert over the possibility of US intervention in Iran . Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran, according to an Israeli source present at the conversation.

Yesterday, Donald Trump first reiterated his call "not to start shooting" civilians, "otherwise, we will start shooting too." Then, in the evening, he assured that the United States is "ready to help the protesters fighting for freedom."

Tehran's response came from the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf: "Any US attack would lead Tehran to react against Israel and US military bases" in the region, which would then become "legitimate targets" .

According to sources told the Wall Street Journal, US administration officials have held "preliminary" discussions about a possible attack on Iran, should the president's threats be followed, and possible targets have already been identified. One option would be a large-scale air strike against several Iranian military targets , but sources say there is still no consensus on a course of action, and neither military equipment nor personnel have yet been mobilized.

(Unioneonline)

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