On the 9th (local time), a scene of protesters setting fires in the streets of Tehran, the capital of Iran, spread on social media. [Yonhap News] 

Protests against Iran's economic hardship have intensified for over two weeks, with the scale of casualties rapidly increasing.

Iranian authorities have pressured protesters by vowing to crack down on violent demonstrations, while the United States and Israel are closely monitoring the situation, considering possible intervention in Iran due to the current events.

On the 11th (local time), the fifth day of protests, Iran Human Rights (IHR), an Oslo-based organization, reported that at least 192 people had died as of that day. This is a fourfold increase from the 51 deaths reported by the organization on the 9th.

IHR pointed out that the Iranian authorities have blocked internet and communication for over 60 hours, stating, "According to unconfirmed reports, some sources suggest that more than 2,000 people may have died."

IHR mentioned that the deaths were concentrated on the 9th and 10th, and that hundreds of bodies of victims who participated in the protests were seen at a funeral home in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, speaking on Iranian state television on the 11th (local time) [IRIB/Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), AP reported that a total of 538 people have died, including 490 civilians and 48 members of the security forces, and more than 10,600 people have been arrested. This organization also noted a fivefold increase in fatalities compared to the previous day's tally of 116.

Earlier, the US weekly magazine Time reported, citing a doctor in Tehran, that at least 217 deaths were confirmed in six hospitals, and that most of them died from live ammunition.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHR, urged, "The massacre of protesters occurring over the past three days, especially after the nationwide internet shutdown, could be far more extensive than we imagine. The international community must use all possible means to prevent this."

Amiry-Moghaddam warned that the Iranian prosecutor's office's designation of the protests as 'Moharebeh' (an enemy of God), which refers to the crime of denying Islam, is "a threat to execute the protesters."

Since last week, Iranian authorities have been focusing on suppressing the protests by blocking internet and communication and deploying ground troops of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the vanguard of defending the theocratic regime, in some areas.

Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran [UPI Yonhap News]

Some Iranian citizens, cut off from outside communication, had been using Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, but it has recently become difficult to access.

Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian also announced his intention to crack down on protesters in a state television address today, stating, "Our security and defense agencies must firmly suppress them," as reported by state-run Press TV.

President Pezeshkian said, "The people's protests are legitimate, and we have a duty to meet with them and engage in dialogue," but added, "It is our more important duty not to allow a few rioters to throw the entire society into chaos."

He blamed the United States and Israel, saying, "Riots, attacks on public places, arson at mosques, and the burning of the 'Book of God' (Quran) are all plans and conspiracies by the United States and Israel."

Netanyahu and Trump [Reuters Yonhap News]

He also claimed, "They trained people inside and outside the country and brought in terrorists from abroad to commit arson at mosques, markets, and public places. Such crimes cannot be committed by our people."

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, warned Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who has hinted at intervening in the protests, calling him "delusional" and stating that "an attack on Iran will make all US military bases, military facilities, and ships in the region legitimate targets."

Meanwhile, the US daily Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump is scheduled to receive a briefing on specific responses to the Iranian protests on the 13th.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a cabinet meeting, "Israel is closely monitoring the situation in Iran," and expressed support for the protests, saying, "We hope the Persian people will be freed from the yoke of tyranny."

An Israeli military official stated today, "The protests are an internal matter for Iran," but added, "We are prepared to take strong action if necessary," not ruling out the possibility of military action.

'Restoration of the Pahlavi Monarchy' [AP Yonhap News]