Iran threatens to strike US air bases as Trump vows ‘strong action’ if protesters are hanged: Live updates

Speaking to Euronews, European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola said the Ayatollah regime is ‘on its last legs’, adding that the days of ‘dictators will end in 2026’.

In one of the continent’s strongest condemnations of Iran, she said: ‘We are horrified by what is happening in Iran and we cannot remain idle when we see the regime using violence, repression and abuse against what we believe to be fundamental freedoms’.

It comes after the EU parliament banned Iranian diplomats from entering its properties, amid the crackdown on protesters.

Tens of thousands of mourners thronged the streets near Tehran University for the funeral of more than 300 security forces and civilians on Wednesday.

Many held Iranian flags and identical photos of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and their relatives.

The caskets, covered in Iranian flags, were stacked at least three high in the backs of trucks and covered with red and white roses and framed photographs of people who were killed.

The crowd chanted and beat their chests in response to an emcee speaking from a stage.

One man in the crowd held up a photo of US President Donald Trump during the Pennsylvania assassination attempt, emblazoned with: ‘The arrow doesn’t always miss!’

The latest polling data from Reuters and Ipsos shows that 43% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the Iran crisis.

Just 33% of those surveyed said they approved of what the Republican president is doing.

Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned the US’ latest sanctions, calling them illegal and motivated by ‘deep-rooted hatred’ towards the regime.

The ministry said the US’ sanctions violate the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

A spokesperson warned that the latest sanctions will have serious consequences, as they undermine the global system of trade.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has said a third party cannot change the nature of ties between the Kremlin and Tehran.

It comes after the US earlier announced a massive 25% tariff on countries with economic ties to Iran.

Iran’s internet is likely to remain disconnected for the next ‘one to two weeks’, reports Fars News Agency.

The internet blackout has made it difficult for the extent of the protests to be analysed.