People in Iran Describe Security,Damage01/13 06:18

   

   DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iranians made phone calls abroad for the 
first time in days Tuesday after authorities severed communications during a 
crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say killed at least 646 people, 
giving a glimpse of life after being cut off from the outside world.

   Witnesses described a heavy security presence in central Tehran, burned-out 
government buildings, smashed ATMs and few passersby. Meanwhile, people remain 
concerned about what comes next, including the possibility of strikes after 
U.S. President Donald Trump said he could possibly use the military to defend 
peaceful protesters. Trump also has said Iran wants to negotiate with 
Washington.

   "My customers talk about Trump's reaction while wondering if he plans a 
military strike against the Islamic Republic," said shopkeeper Mahmoud, who 
gave only his first name out of concerns for his safety. "I don't expect Trump 
or any other foreign country cares about the interests of Iranians."

   Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests remain 
on many people's minds. "People -- particularly young ones -- are hopeless but 
they talk about continuing the protests," he said.

   Iranians reach out, but world can't reach in

   Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press on Tuesday 
morning and speak to a journalist there. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab 
Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back. The witnesses said text 
messaging still was down and that internet users in Iran could connect to 
government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad.

   Anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armor, carried batons, 
shields, shotguns and tear gas launchers, according to the witnesses. Police 
stood watch at major intersections. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the 
Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms 
and batons. Security officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces as 
well.

   Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, they 
said. Banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet, the 
witnesses added.

   However, shops were open, though there was little foot traffic in the 
capital. Tehran's Grand Bazaar, where the demonstrations began Dec. 28, was to 
open Tuesday. However, a witness described speaking to multiple shopkeepers who 
said the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iranian state 
media had not acknowledged that order.

   The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

   It also appeared that security service personnel were searching for Starlink 
terminals as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment 
buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, 
many in the capital have them in their homes and officials broadly had given up 
on enforcing the law in recent years.

   On the streets, people also could be seen challenging plainclothes security 
officials, who were stopping passersby at random.

   State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue services 
being free -- a signal some likely charged high fees for the release of bodies 
amid the crackdown.

   Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement carried by state TV, 
praised the tens of thousands who took part in pro-government demonstrations 
nationwide on Monday.

   "This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not 
rely on traitorous mercenaries," he said. "The Iranian nation is strong and 
powerful and aware of the enemy."

   State TV on Monday aired chants from the crowd, which appeared in the tens 
of thousands, of "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!" Others cried out, 
"Death to the enemies of God!" Iran's attorney general has warned that anyone 
taking part in protests will be considered an "enemy of God," a death-penalty 
charge.

   Iran says it communicated with Washington

   Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded 
satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired Monday night, said he 
continued to communicate with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

   The communication "continued before and after the protests and are still 
ongoing," Araghchi said. However, "Washington's proposed ideas and threats 
against our country are incompatible."

   White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran's public rhetoric 
diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran 
in recent days.

   "I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages," Leavitt 
said. "However, with that said, the president has shown he's unafraid to use 
military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better 
than Iran."

   Trump imposes tariffs on Iran trading partners

   Trump announced Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25% 
tariffs from the United States. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media 
posting, saying they would be "effective immediately."

   It was action against Iran for the protest crackdown from Trump, who 
believes exacting tariffs can be a useful tool in prodding friends and foes on 
the global stage to bend to his will.

   Brazil, China, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are among 
economies that do business with Tehran.

   Trump said Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting 
with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the 
death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.

   "I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States," Trump said. 
"Iran wants to negotiate."

   Iran, through the country's parliamentary speaker, warned Sunday that the 
U.S. military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if Washington uses force 
to protect demonstrators.

   More than 10,700 people also have been detained over the two weeks of 
protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has 
been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the latest death toll 
early Tuesday. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. It 
said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were security force members.

   With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has 
grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently 
assess the toll. Iran's government hasn't offered overall casualty figures.