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Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in Iran as authorities crack down on protests against inflation and the government’s handling of the economic crisis, with thousands more arrested amid a nationwide communications blackout. The protests started in late December and quickly spread across the country, marking the strongest internal challenge to the Iranian government in years. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran in support of the protesters.

“Many civil and political activists in Iran have warned against any kind of foreign intervention, because it actually increases repression inside of the country,” says Narges Bajoghli, associate professor of Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University.

We also speak with Iranian dissident Hamidreza Mohammadi, brother of the imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi. Speaking from Oslo, he says he has been unable to reach his family inside Iran since the start of the protests. “In the lack of internet and telephone communication, the regime has been able to kill a lot of people,” Mohammadi says. “People in Iran simply want [a] different system, and they don’t want to be enslaved by this regime for its ideological purposes.”

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: President Trump has repeated his threat to attack Iran over Iranian security forces using violence to crush anti-government protests. Speaking to reporters Sunday night, President Trump claimed Iranian leaders called him to negotiate, but Trump said the U.S. may take military action before a possible meeting.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Iran called to negotiate.

REPORTER: Yesterday?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Yesterday. The leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States.

REPORTER: Can you share any details about that call?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Iran wants to negotiate, yes.

REPORTER: Negotiate what?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We may meet with them. I mean, a meeting is being set up. But we may have to act, because of what’s happening, before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called. They want to negotiate.

AMY GOODMAN: According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, over 500 Iranian protesters and 48 security officials have died in demonstrations that began over two weeks ago over Iran’s economic crisis. The death toll has not been confirmed, in part because Iranian officials have shut off the internet and have limited phone calls inside Iran.

Earlier today, tens of thousands of people took part in a pro-government rally in Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the U.S. and Israel for the anti-government protests, insisting the situation inside Iran is under control. On Sunday, Iran’s parliament speaker warned the U.S. and Israel, any military intervention will be met with retaliation.

MOHAMMAD BAGHER GHALIBAF: [translated] Know that in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied lands, as well as the U.S. military bases in the region, will be our legitimate targets. And with all those clear confessions that you made about invading Iran, we will not limit ourselves to a reaction. We will act based on signs of threats. It was necessary to say this to you and all your allies in the region to avoid miscalculation; otherwise, it will be too late to regret.

AMY GOODMAN: We’re joined now by two guests. Hamidreza Mohammadi is the youngest brother of the Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was detained in Iran once again last month. He works closely with the Narges Foundation. He’s joining us from Oslo, Norway. And in Washington, D.C., we’re joined by Narges Bajoghli, associate professor of anthropology and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University. She’s the co-author of How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare, also the author of Iran Reframed: Anxieties of Power in the Islamic Republic.

I want to begin with Hamidreza Mohammadi, the brother of the Nobel Peace laureate who’s in jail. Can you describe what’s happening on the ground?

HAMIDREZA MOHAMMADI: Hi. As you know, there’s a complete blackout, information blackout, in Iran, so we don’t get a lot of news. But via Starlink, some people have been able to post videos of demonstrations and,........

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