Iran's top diplomat issues most direct threat yet to US as crackdown over protests squeezes nation

Iran's foreign minister has issued a direct threat against the United States, warning of retaliation if attacked. This comes after Tehran's crackdown on protesters and as a U.S. aircraft carrier group moves toward the Middle East. Abbas Araghchi made the threat in an opinion article, blaming armed demonstrators for the violence. Videos from Iran show security forces targeting unarmed protesters. The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519, according to U.S.-based activists. More than 26,300 people have been arrested, with fears of executions coming amid the ongoing tensions.