Iran Acknowledges 2,000 Deaths as Protests Enter Third Week

Iran faces deepening crisis after official admits thousands killed in crackdown

An Iranian official said around 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed during two weeks of nationwide unrest, marking the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll from the crackdown. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials blamed what authorities describe as “terrorists” for the deaths of both protesters and security forces, though no breakdown of casualties was provided.

The protests began on December 28 and were initially triggered by the collapse of Iran’s currency but have since expanded into broader demonstrations against severe economic hardship and the clerical establishment. The crisis has unfolded amid rising international pressure following U.S. and Israeli strikes last year. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on imports from countries doing business with Iran, warning that further action was possible and stating earlier this month, “we are locked and loaded.”

Iranian authorities said they were pursuing a dual strategy, acknowledging economic grievances while enforcing a harsh security response. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said, “The government sees security forces and protesters as its children,” adding that officials would continue to listen despite attempts to “hijack” the protests. Severe internet disruptions have limited information flows, while rights groups report thousands of arrests and warn the true death toll may be higher. 

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Further reading: Iran official says 2,000 people have been killed in unrest

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran risks reopening trade tensions with China, Tehran’s largest commercial partner, analysts say. Reports say that such a move could push effective tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States to more than 70%, well above the levels in place before Washington and Beijing reached a truce last year.

China’s ties with Iran have long been a sensitive issue in the U.S. – China relations. During Trump’s first term, Iran became “a major flashpoint” as Washington tightened sanctions and targeted Chinese firms accused of doing business with Tehran. While Trump has not explicitly named China, analysts warn Beijing could still be caught in the crossfire.

“China is just an excuse, a kind of disguise for the Trump administration, to impose new pressure toward Iran,” said Wang Jin of the Beijing Club for International Dialogue, adding that China’s Iran trade is smaller than often assumed. Official data shows Chinese imports from Iran fell to $2.9 billion last year, down from $21 billion in 2018.

Still, China moves roughly 80% of Iran’s oil exports, often via independent refiners operating outside official channels. China’s foreign ministry said there were “no winners in a tariff war” and pledged to “resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” as uncertainty grows over whether Trump’s threat will be enforced.  

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Further reading: Trump’s Iran tariff threat risks reopening China rift

EU signals flexibility in electric vehicle trade dispute with China

The European Union has offered China an alternative to punitive tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, offering manufacturers the option to submit price undertakings that set minimum import prices. According to the European Commission, these measures would “neutralise the impact of state subsidies” and deliver results equivalent to tariffs.

Last year, the EU imposed duties of up to 35.3% following an anti-subsidy investigation that found Chinese state support gave manufacturers an unfair advantage. China’s Ministry of Commerce welcomed the proposal as evidence of “constructive dialogue,” while the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU said talks had enabled a “soft landing” in the dispute.

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Further reading: EU Offers China Tariff Alternative on Electric Vehicles

Scientists find vast quantities of microplastics floating in urban air

Scientists have discovered that urban air contains “far more microplastics and nanoplastics than previously believed,” identifying the atmosphere as a major and overlooked reservoir of plastic pollution. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a semi-automated microanalytical method to overcome longstanding challenges in detecting tiny plastic particles in air samples.

Applying the technique in Guangzhou and Xi’an, the team found plastic concentrations in airborne particles and dust fall were “two–six orders of magnitude higher” than earlier estimates based on manual identification methods. The study showed that road dust resuspension and rainfall play a key role in transporting plastics through the atmosphere. The results raise concerns about potential impacts on climate, ecosystems, and human health.

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Further reading: A shocking amount of plastic is floating in city air

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: Death toll in Iran may be higher than 2,000 as a result of protests. Cover Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Sarallah Ankooti