Iran protests live updates: Iran plans mass funeral in Tehran for 300 dead

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say the country has expanded its missile stockpile since a 12-day war with Israel last year, with a senior commander claiming repairs are complete and production has risen above pre-war levels, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media.

Majid Mousavi, the Guards’ aerospace commander, was quoted as saying Iran was “at the peak” of its readiness, and that wartime damage had been repaired with output in multiple areas now higher than before June 2025.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would keep working with Iran to implement bilateral agreements and that no outside power could alter the nature of Russia-Iran ties, speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Reuters reported.

The remarks come as regional tensions climb around Iran’s unrest. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington follows through on threats to intervene in the protests.

Israel and Arab officials have urged the Trump administration to hold off, for now, on any military strike against Iran, arguing the Islamic Republic has not been sufficiently weakened for a US attack to trigger a collapse, NBC News reported on Tuesday.

The report comes as President Donald Trump told reporters he had yet to decide how to respond to Iran’s killing of protesters.

According to NBC News, Israeli officials told US counterparts they support regime change and US efforts to pursue it, but warned that foreign military action alone may not “finish the job.” Instead, they urged Washington to prioritise steps that could further weaken Tehran and strengthen protesters before any strike becomes decisive.

Iranian state television says a mass funeral planned for Wednesday in Tehran will include 300 bodies of security force members and civilians, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The ceremony is expected to be held at the University of Tehran under heavy security.

Separately, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which has been tracking casualties, said more than 2,550 people have been killed so far — including 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated individuals. HRANA said 12 children were among the dead, along with nine civilians it said were not participating in demonstrations. The group also reported more than 18,100 detentions.

AP noted that verifying the scale of the protests and the death toll from outside Iran has become harder as communications inside the country have been disrupted.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Tehran has warned several regional countries that US military bases on their soil could be targeted if the United States attacks Iran.

According to the official, Iran has conveyed messages to countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey that any US strike on Iran would put American bases in those countries in Iran’s crosshairs—and has urged them to prevent Washington from launching an attack.

The head of Iran’s judiciary has signalled that authorities intend to act swiftly against those detained in connection with the deadly unrest during recent protests.

Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei made the remarks in a video broadcast by state television, stressing the need for immediate action. “If we want to do a job, we should do it now,” he said, adding that delays would weaken the intended deterrent effect.

According to Mohseni-Ejei, postponing action by even a few months would diminish its impact. “If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,” he said.

China has rejected any outside interference in Iran’s internal affairs, following US President Donald Trump’s warning that Washington could take “very strong action” against Tehran.

“China supports and hopes that the Iranian government and people can overcome the current difficulties and safeguard national stability,” Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said at a press briefing.

She added, “At the same time, China opposes external forces interfering in a country’s internal affairs and does not support the use or threat of force in international relations.”

Around 3,000 Indian students in Iran, including 2,000 medical students, are reported safe amid ongoing protests, according to AIMSA and FAIMA. The organisations are in touch with the Indian government, while unrest in Iran has left over 2,000 people dead despite an internet blackout.

As many as 12,000 people may have been killed during protests in Iran, with a large number of deaths reported over January 8-9, according to an assessment by Iran International. The outlet said its conclusion was based on reviews of multiple sources and medical data, with much of the violence unfolding during a nationwide internet shutdown.

European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas praised the “courage of the Iranian people” and condemned the “brutal response” of security forces, saying the EU is discussing additional sanctions on Tehran. Finland and Denmark have summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires, demanding an end to violence, the release of detained protesters, and restoration of internet access. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the crackdown is “unacceptable” and warned of further steps if required.

Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani has accused US President Donald Trump of violating international law by urging Iranians to “keep protesting,” calling the remarks “reckless” and destabilising. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, Iravani urged the UN to condemn the US and Israel for interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.

He warned that such statements fuel political unrest, violence, and threaten Iran’s sovereignty and national security. The complaint follows Trump’s comments that Washington is closely monitoring the protests and weighing possible military options.

Iran is reportedly set to hang 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested during anti-regime protests in Karaj near Tehran, marking the first execution linked to the current unrest. Human rights groups say Soltani faces death without a fair trial as authorities intensify their crackdown on demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

As Iran’s government enforces a near‑total internet blackout amid mass protests, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service has emerged as a crucial tool for Iranians to bypass censorship and stay connected. President Donald Trump said he plans to speak with Musk to explore restoring internet access for the country’s population. Despite Tehran’s efforts to jam or block satellite signals, SpaceX has reportedly activated free Starlink service to help maintain communication during the unrest.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff held a secret meeting with Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah. This marks the first high-level contact between the US administration and the Iranian opposition since the nationwide unrest began. The outreach comes as protests intensify amid Iran’s economic crisis and public anger at the clerical leadership.

At least 2,571 people killed amid nationwide protests, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Iranian authorities held nationwide rallies and announced mass funeral ceremonies for security personnel killed during the unrest, while partially restoring international phone links amid a five-day internet blackout. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the pro-government gatherings as a warning to the US, while analysts warn the protests represent the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic in years, though the regime retains strong repressive control.

US President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations, writing on Truth Social, “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” amid reports of a violent crackdown that activists say has killed over 2,500 people. He also warned Iran that the US would take “very strong action” if authorities proceed with executing detainees, including 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, reportedly set to be hanged without a fair trial.