BREAKING: Iran’s government has just announced a staggering official death toll of 3,117 from the nationwide protests that ignited in late December. These protests erupted amid crippling economic conditions and a historic depreciation of the national currency.
The Martyrs Foundation released a statement categorizing 2,427 of the deceased as “martyrs,” identifying them as security personnel or innocent bystanders, while the remainder are reported to be protesters. However, human rights groups are raising alarms, asserting that the actual death toll could be much higher.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), the death toll could be as high as 4,519, with 4,251 identified as protesters, alongside 197 security personnel, 35 children, and 38 bystanders. They also noted that investigations into an additional 9,049 deaths are currently ongoing. Reports indicate that at least 26,314 individuals have been arrested, and 5,811 others have sustained serious injuries during the unrest.
Amnesty for the wounded is scarce, with reports from rights activists, including Amiry-Moghaddam, co-founder of the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights NGO, alleging that police have been executing injured protesters. “They are taking the wounded people and shooting them in the head,” Amiry-Moghaddam stated in an interview with Middle East Eye earlier last week.
In stark contrast, Iranian leaders have vehemently denied allegations that security forces are responsible for killing protesters, shifting the blame towards foreign nations. Chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Abdolrahim Mousavi, accused the United States and Israel of infiltrating the nation with “Islamic-State-like mercenaries” to incite violence against civilians and security forces.
As tensions escalate, General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued a warning to Israel and the US against “miscalculations” regarding the ongoing protests. His statement follows a call for regime change in Iran made by Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to engage in talks with Iran, stating that the request for dialogue came from Tehran.
As these developments unfold, the situation in Iran remains volatile and continues to draw international attention. The world is watching closely as both protests and governmental responses evolve, with potential implications for regional stability and human rights.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent and developing story.
