UN Horrified by Iran Crackdown: Hundreds Killed in Protests, Death Penalty Feared

• The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk, expressed horror over the escalating violence by Iran's security forces against peaceful protesters.
• U.N. sources indicate hundreds have been killed, while a rights group reported over 500 deaths, and an Iranian official suggested around 2,000.
• Turk emphasized that the cycle of violence must end and called for Iran's authorities to heed demands for fairness, equality, and justice.
• Concerns were raised about the potential use of the death penalty against thousands of arrested protesters.
• The U.N. also cautioned against the instrumentalization of the protests, following U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of military intervention.

Why It Matters: UN condemns Iran's violent crackdown on protests, reporting hundreds killed and fearing death penalty use.