12.01.2026 08:40
As the death toll in the protests in Iran rises to 538, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs has made a critical call to its citizens in the country. While advising Australians in Iran to leave the country, it also added the warning, "If you remain in Iran despite our advice, you are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared to stay in your location for an extended period. Ensure you have supplies of water, food, and medicine."
The US-based Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency announced that the number of people who have lost their lives in the protests that have been ongoing in Iran for 15 days has risen to 538.
490 OF THE DEAD ARE PROTESTERS
HRANA reported that at least 538 people have died in protests across the country in the last two weeks, including 490 protesters and 48 security personnel. The statement also mentioned that more than 10,600 people have been detained.
THE TOLL IS HORRIFIC
Meanwhile, while Iranian officials have not made an official statement regarding the death toll, the Associated Press (AP) reported that it could not independently verify the casualty figures. HRANA had announced that the latest death toll had risen to 116.
AUSTRALIA TO ITS CITIZENS: LEAVE IRAN
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs advised Australians to leave Iran, citing that the ongoing protests could later make leaving "impossible."
In the updated warning, it was stated, "Options for leaving by commercial flights are still available but are becoming increasingly limited. Airspace closures and flight cancellations may occur soon, which could make leaving impossible later."
"If you remain in Iran despite our recommendations, you are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared to stay in your location for an extended period. Ensure you have supplies of water, food, and medicine."
PROTESTS IN IRAN
Protests that began on December 28, 2025, initiated by shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran due to the significant devaluation of the local currency against foreign currencies and economic issues, spread to many cities across the country.
While there has been no official statement regarding the dead or injured in the protests, HRANA reported in a report published on January 10 (the 14th day of the protests) that 116 people had lost their lives, including 37 security personnel and 4 healthcare workers, over 2,600 people had been injured, and 2,638 people had been detained.