Iran Protests Turn Deadly as U.S. Carrier Arrives in Gulf

Activists say Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests has killed at least 6,159 people, including thousands of protesters, with over 41,800 arrests; Tehran disputes the toll. The U.S. dispatched the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying ships to the Gulf, signaling potential military options amid rising regional tensions. Iran’s economy is strained by sanctions and a plunging rial, while militias in the region warn of actions. Independent verification is hampered by internet outages and government restrictions.