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What are the latest developments in Iran's protests and U.S. response?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Leaders in Iran are warning of a harsh response of the U.S. and Israel attack Iran over the protests that have engulfed the country over the past two weeks. Iranian security forces are cracking down. Human rights groups say that more than 100 people have been killed, thousands others detained. NPR's Jackie Northam reports.
Iran's parliament speaker said Tehran would consider U.S. military facilities and Israel legitimate targets for preemptive strikes if there are signs by either country of an imminent attack. Iran's military was badly weakened after the 12-day war with Israel last June. President Trump has warned the U.S. will hit hard if Iran kills protesters.
He reiterated that in a social media post Saturday evening, saying the U.S. stands ready to help. The protests that began at the end of December over the economy have quickly spread to all corners of Iran, with people shouting death to the dictator, meaning Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Jackie Northam, NPR News.
Minnesota officials are urging protesters to remain peaceful as more demonstrations are expected to protest the deadly shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent. The protesters are also following the shooting of two people in Portland by federal officials. NPR immigration correspondent Sergio Martinez Beltran explains.
The federal investigation into the shooting of Renee Good is ongoing. The FBI took over the case, keeping state investigators from accessing evidence. State and local authorities are not happy about that, and they're now asking the public for help collecting their own evidence. Meanwhile, allies are in Minneapolis.
The Trump administration has promised to continue its immigration crackdown in the state. More federal agents could arrive in Minnesota in the next few days. This probably means more protests. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has also said he's ready to deploy the state's National Guard if needed. All of this as the community continues to mourn the killing of Renee Goode.
The Trump administration says it's freezing all USDA funding to Minnesota, including SNAP food aid. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports on the reasons why.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the funding freeze in a letter posted on X claiming the Trump administration has uncovered massive fraud in Minnesota. It's not clear what she meant by that, but the letter noted the years-long benefits fraud scandal there that's already seen more than 60 people convicted.
USDA is demanding justification before it restarts payments, $129 million in all. The move comes as a judge has temporarily blocked a much larger funding freeze, $10 billion in cash aid, child care, and other social services to Minnesota and four other Democratic-led states. The Trump administration has alleged rampant fraud in all those states without providing evidence.
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