Iran cleric calls for executions of detained protesters as U.S. weighs possible action

A cleric leading prayers in Iran’s capital has demanded the death penalty for detained protesters, showing the hard-line rage gripping the Islamic Republic. Executions and the killing of peaceful protesters are red lines laid down by Trump for possible military action against Iran.

The demonstrations began on December 28th over the country’s ailing economy. Iran cut off access to the internet on January 8th and intensified a bloody crackdown on all dissent. The U.S.-based human rights activist news agency put the death toll from the crackdown at 2,797.