The U.S. State Department updated a travel warning this Monday, urging U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately amid ongoing unrest in the Middle Eastern country. "Protests in Iran are intensifying and could turn violent, with the consequent risk of arrests and injuries," the U.S. stated in a communiqué. According to the Argentine News Agency, the economic situation of the Iranian population was the trigger for the protests that began on December 28 in the Grand Bazaar of the capital due to high inflation or the fall of the national currency (rial), and have since spread to more than 100 provinces in the country. For over 96 hours, there has been no internet or coverage. According to the U.S.-based civil organization Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 544 people have died in this popular uprising, while the Oslo-based Iranian Human Rights Organization counted 648 dead protesters, including nine minors. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Tehran, with the aim of pressuring the ayatollahs' regime to stop the repression of the protests. "This order is immediate and final," Trump warned in a post on his official Truth Social account. The president emphasized that any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will have to pay a 25% tariff on all commercial transactions they carry out with the United States. The warning comes after, according to the U.S. digital media Axios, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted Trump's special envoy for the Middle East and Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, this past weekend with the apparent intention of easing tensions with Washington. The contacts were made after Trump threatened to attack the Asian nation in response to the repression activated by the authorities against the massive demonstrations shaking the country and leaving a high number of dead and detainees. In this regard, Trump warned that his country's armed forces are seriously considering invading the Persian nation.
