Iran’s Pezeshkian says republic won’t bow to external demands as domestic unrest resurfaces
Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and minority groups has intensified as the regime faces increasing pressure both at home and abroad.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that his country will not bow to pressure from global powers during ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States.
“World powers are trying to force us to surrender… but despite the difficulties they impose on us, we will not surrender,” Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast live on state television.
Trump’s comments come amid growing speculation about a possible U.S. attack on Iranian territory, fueled by the increasing deployment of naval and air forces to the region.
The US military moved dozens of fighter jets to a Jordanian air force base, according to analyzed satellite images and flight tracking data. New York Times on Friday.
According to the Times, more than 60 jets were parked at the Muwaffaq Salti base in central Jordan; this is three times more than the normal number of US attack aircraft based.
On Thursday, US Senator Lindsey Graham said a possible joint US-Israeli attack on Iran was being planned. US President Donald Trump later added that the US was considering an initial limited strike on Iran to force Tehran to accept its demands regarding the deal.
Jerusalem Post He stated on Wednesday that the United States would eventually attack Iran, but that it would not happen in the coming days.
Protests against the Islamic regime take place again on campuses
Meanwhile, protests re-emerged on the streets of Iran as students from various universities across the country marched against the Islamic regime, according to Iranian media reports on Saturday.
At Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, students gathered on campus and chanted “freedom” and the UK-based “Death to Khamenei” slogans. Iran International the channel reported.
Reuters He reported that the students also called for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the ousted shah of Iran, to become the new ruler.
Later reports revealed that protests at the university turned violent, resulting in many students being injured.
Sharif University Rector Masoud Tajrishi was recorded as saying, “The enemy wants the university to become virtual, but we will not allow it.”
Meanwhile, students of Amir Kabir University of Technology in Tehran blocked a street near the campus and shouted, “Don’t be afraid, we are all together.”
Clashes reportedly broke out at the university, with protesters chanting “Death to the three corrupt: Islamists, leftists and Mujahideen,” according to Tousi TV.
Videos circulating online show protesters clashing with security forces on Valiasr Street in Tehran.
Reports also pointed to a growing protest at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in northern Iran.
Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. Nationwide protests against failed economic policies began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar in late December and spread to universities and other cities (Source: MAHSA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Death penalty for protesters
An Iranian court earlier this month sentenced seven protesters to death for their alleged role in setting fire to a military base during nationwide protests in January, Iran International reported on Friday.
The defendants stated that they were trapped inside the building when it was set on fire, but the court rejected these claims. Seven men, including a 19-year-old, face charges of arson, collusion against national security, “corruption on earth” and “enmity against God”.
Last month, amid ongoing unrest across Iran, Trump issued several statements: Warning to Tehran Following the killings of anti-government protesters, he vowed to “take very strong action” to prevent such executions.
In his later statement, he said, “The killings have stopped. The executions have stopped. There are no executions or execution plans. They told me this from a reliable source. We will find out. If it happens, I’m sure I will be very upset.”
US President Donald Trump and his cabinet members in the situation room during US attacks on Iran, June 22, 2025. (Source: WHITE HOUSE)
‘Sharp increase’ in arrests of Christians after 12 days of war with Israel
Meanwhile, Tehran’s crackdown on minority groups has intensified as it faces increasing pressure both domestically and internationally.
A comprehensive report released Thursday by four human rights groups found twice as many Christians were arrested in 2025 on charges related to their religious beliefs than the previous year: 254 people compared to 139.
The report, titled “Scapegoating: 2026 annual report on Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran,” was published by Middle East Concern, Article18, Open Doors and CSW.
The report also noted a “sharp increase” in arrests of Christians. 12 day war with Israel. The report cited the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence’s statement that 53 “trained elements”, referring to Evangelical Christians, have been “neutralised” since the recent conflict with Israel.
Additionally, Iranian courts give harsher sentences to Christians. The report stated that a total of 96 Christians arrested in 2024 were sentenced to a total of 263 years in prison. In 2025, this number increased suddenly; A total of 73 Christians arrested were sentenced to 280 years in prison, heralding a trend towards harsher sentences.
The report called on the international community to hold Iran accountable for its failure to fulfill international obligations regarding religious freedoms and to ensure fair and informed asylum procedures for Iranian Christians seeking refuge abroad.
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters contributed to this report.
