13.01.2026 16:54
Protests that began in Iran for economic reasons have turned into anti-government demonstrations. With the restriction of the internet, accurate information about the events in the country is also not accessible. Most recently, the U.S.-based civil society organization Iran Human Rights Activists announced the death toll in the country to be 646. An Iranian official stated that approximately 2,000 people have died in the protests in Iran, and that "terrorists" are being held responsible for the deaths of civilians and security personnel.
Protests that began on December 28 in Iran in response to rising living costs have quickly turned into anti-government demonstrations and violent incidents.
"THERE ARE TERRORISTS BEHIND THE DEATHS" An unnamed Iranian official speaking to the British news agency Reuters stated that 2,000 people, including security personnel, have lost their lives in the protests across the country. The Iranian official said that "terrorists" are behind the deaths of both protesters and security personnel.
"THIS HORRIFIC CYCLE OF VIOLENCE CANNOT CONTINUE" The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed in a written statement that he is horrified by the increasing violence of security forces against protesters across Iran, with reports of hundreds being killed and thousands detained. Türk called on Iranian authorities to immediately stop all forms of violence and repression against peaceful protesters and to restore full access to the internet and telecommunications services. He also emphasized that those responsible for serious violations must be held accountable, stating, "The killing of peaceful protesters must stop. It is unacceptable for protesters to be labeled as 'terrorists' and subjected to violence. As we saw most recently in 2022, large segments of the Iranian population took to the streets demanding fundamental changes in the governance of their country. The authorities' response has once again been to use brutal force to suppress legitimate demands for change. This horrific cycle of violence cannot continue. The voices of the Iranian people and their demands for justice, equality, and fairness must be heard."
THE NUMBER OF DETAINEES REACHED 10,721 It was reported that the number of people detained during the protests has reached 10,721, stating, "Protests spreading to 606 points in 187 cities of Iran continue despite complete communication breakdown."
HRA HAD ANNOUNCED THE DEATH TOLL AS 646 The U.S.-based civil society organization Iran Human Rights Activists (HRA) had stated that at least 646 people have lost their lives in the ongoing protests in Iran since December 28.