At least 6,126 people killed in Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests, activists say

"Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests killed at least 6,126 people while many others still are feared dead, activists said Tuesday, as a U.S. aircraft carrier group arrived in the Mideast to lead any American military response to the crisis. The arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and guided missile destroyers accompanying it provide the U.S. the ability to strike Iran, particularly as Gulf Arab states have signaled they want to stay out of any attack despite hosting American military personnel."

"Two Iranian-backed militias in the Mideast have signaled their willingness to launch new attacks, likely trying to back Iran after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action over the killing of peaceful protesters or Tehran launching mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations. Iran has repeatedly threatened to drag the entire Mideast into a war, though its air defenses and military are still reeling after the June war launched by Israel against the country."

"The new figures Tuesday came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran. The group verifies each death with a network of activists on the ground in Iran. It identified the dead as including at least 5,777 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 86 children and 49 civilians who weren't demonstrating. The crackdown has seen over 41,800 arrests, it added."

Iran's security forces carried out a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests that killed at least 6,126 people and left many others feared dead. The U.S. deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and guided-missile destroyers to the region, providing strike capability while Gulf Arab states signaled reluctance to join any attack. Two Iranian-backed militias indicated willingness to launch attacks, appearing to support Iran after U.S. threats of military action over killings or potential mass executions. Iran warned of dragging the Mideast into war while its air defenses and military remain weakened after a June conflict with Israel. Human Rights Activists News Agency verified deaths and reported over 41,800 arrests.

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