How Many People Have Been Killed in Iran’s Brutal Protest Crackdown? |
A savage crackdown is underway in Iran following mass demonstrations against the Iranian regime. The ongoing wave of protests began on December 28, triggered by currency and inflation crises, and later expanded into nationwide anti-regime demonstrations, with protests confirmed in nearly 200 cities. Late last week, Iran’s government shut down the country’s internet and unleashed its security forces on protesters. With Iran largely cut off from the rest of the world, it’s been difficult for foreign journalists, activists, and human-rights organizations to confirm the full extent of the crackdown, but the estimated death tolls are already without precedent. The bloodshed may yet provoke a military response from the U.S., as President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to retaliate against the regime. Below is what we know so far.
Despite the communications blackout, a number of disturbing videos, firsthand accounts, and other reports have emerged from Iran. Taken together, they appear to confirm that at least a few thousand people have been killed. And though there are no verifiable estimates of the death toll thus far, even that lowest estimate would be extraordinary in modern Iran’s history.
Reuters reported Tuesday that according to Iranian government officials, about 2,000 people were killed in the protests, including civilians and security personnel.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has confirmed that at least 2,403 protesters have been killed in the 17 days since protests began.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that according to senior Iranian government officials, the death toll was at least 3,000, but it’s currently impossible to independently verify that:
Human rights groups are struggling to reach their contacts inside Iran and follow the methodology they normally use to verify information but say they have counted more than 500 dead. Multiple American officials say that U.S. intelligence agencies have conservatively estimated that more than 600 protesters have been killed so far. The agencies have noted that both the current protests and the crackdown are far more violent than those in 2022 or other recent uprisings against the government.
A senior Iranian health ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said about 3,000 people had been killed across the country but sought to shift the blame to “terrorists” fomenting unrest. The figure included hundreds of security officers, he said. Another government official, also speaking on........