Iran news: Massive military build-up reported as protests intensify, US strikes imminent after Trump threat?—key updates | Today News

Protests intensified in Iran on Saturday night, with anti-government chants filling the streets of the national capital Tehran despite an internet shutdown and a brutal crackdown by the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led government.

Reports on Sunday indicated that the US was drawing up plans for potential military action after President Donald Trump's threats of an intervention, with a former US army colonel and military analyst claiming that there are signs of a massive military build-up in the Middle-East.

News agency AFP, citing verified videos, reported that crowds had gathered in the northern parts of Tehran on Saturday, hours after exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for large numbers of people to rise up in protest against the Khamenei-led government and cease city centres.

The protests, which have stretched for two weeks now, erupted on 28 December 2025, triggered by the currency's collapse and rising economic hardships.

As protests continue in Iran, here are the key updates, as of Sunday, 11 January, morning: - The current protests in Iran are the biggest anti-government demonstrations the country has seen in more than three years.

-The protests, which began in Tehran in late December last year, have since spread to 180 cities, as per The Wall Street Journal.

- While Iranian authorities had called for "restraint" when the protests broke out and had announced measures to try and address grievances, the Khamenei-led government hardened its stance later and cracked down on protesters as demonstrations continued to intensify.

- At least 65 people have been killed by Iranian security forces since the protests erupted, according to rights group Human Rights Activists in Iran.

- The Iranian government's crackdown on protesters has also seen thousands of people getting arrested, with Human Rights Activists in Iran reporting more than 2,300 arrests till date.

- With protesters refusing to lay low, the Khamenei government on Friday imposed an internet blackout across the country, and the shutdown remained in effect at the time of writing this.

- Iran has also warned that protesters could face the death penalty, with prosecutor Ali Salehi saying that demonstrators were waging a war against God and that they would face execution for their actions.

- The Khamenei-led government, however, has remained defiant and has claimed that Trump and the US are behind the agitation. Alleging that Trump's hands were stained with the blood of Iranians, Khamenei said on Friday that like tyrants throughout history, the US President too would soon face a downfall.

- At the time of writing this, reports indicated that the US was mulling airstrikes against military and non-military targets in Tehran, in the event Trump decides to follow-up on his threat.

- Meanwhile, retired US military colonel and TV analyst Douglas McGregor, claimed that there was massive military build up in the Middle-East, saying, “US strikes on Iran look to be imminent.”

- Protests, it is understood, are expected to take place on Sunday as well, with protesters seemingly responding to Pahlavi's call for demonstrations.