Iran has been witnessing 15 days of protests: Internet shutdown for 84 hours, 544 deaths reported; over 10,000 arrested.

Anti-government protests have been ongoing in Iran for more than two weeks. People have taken to the streets to oppose the government led by Supreme Leader Khamenei. The situation is so tense that even after more than 84 hours of the nationwide lockdown, internet services remain down, and in many areas, people are unable to communicate even by phone.

Meanwhile, reports from American media and rights groups have further escalated the situation. It has been claimed that 544 people have died in these protests so far. Earlier reports put the death toll at around 115 and the number of arrests at around 2,000, but these figures are now being reported to be many times higher.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a news service of the Human Rights Activists organization, at least 544 people, including eight children, have died during the protests over the past 15 days. The agency also says that more than 10,681 people have been arrested and jailed.

Meanwhile, a video has surfaced showing protesters throwing explosives at children. However, it has been reported that the children in the video narrowly escaped.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran has agreed to talks. According to Trump, the US is also considering potential military options, and under pressure from Iran, Iran has agreed to dialogue. Earlier, the Iranian parliament speaker had warned that if the US intervened, Iran could retaliate by targeting US military and commercial facilities.

Meanwhile, a video of Khamenei is also making the rounds, in which he is seen saying that despite the efforts of the opposition, Iran is “strong and powerful” and has not bowed to any pressure in the last 40 years.

Overall, the situation in Iran appears to be rapidly deteriorating—with public anger pouring into the streets, while international tensions and fears of intervention are also rising.