Death Toll Surges in Iran Protests; Activists Report Over 2,500 Dead

The death toll from ongoing protests in Iran has exceeded 2,500, according to reports from activists. This significant escalation in fatalities comes as citizens attempt to reconnect with the outside world after authorities disrupted communications during an intense government crackdown. The figure now stands at 2,571, as noted by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency early on Wednesday.

This alarming count of casualties surpasses any previous unrest in Iran in recent decades and draws parallels to the tumult surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution. For the first time, Iranian state television has publicly acknowledged the deaths, citing an official who described the victims as “martyrs.”

Protests erupted in late December, initially ignited by frustrations over the struggling economy. However, they quickly expanded to challenge the theocratic regime, particularly targeting 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Visuals from demonstrations in Tehran showed graffiti and chants demanding Khamenei’s removal, an act that could carry severe repercussions under current laws.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed solidarity with the protesters via his Truth Social platform, urging them to “KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” He also announced a suspension of all meetings with Iranian officials until the violence against demonstrators ceased. Despite this, Trump later indicated that his administration was waiting for confirmed reports on the casualty figures before taking further steps.

In response to Trump’s statements, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, retorted by naming Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as instigators of violence against the Iranian people.

As the death toll continues to rise, the activist group reported that 2,403 of the deceased were protesters, along with 147 associated with the government. Among the victims were twelve children and nine civilians who were not participating in the demonstrations. The group also revealed that over 18,100 individuals have been detained throughout the protests.

Efforts to gauge the situation from outside Iran have become increasingly challenging, with the Associated Press unable to independently verify the reported figures. Skylar Thompson from the Human Rights Activists News Agency described the rising death toll as “shocking,” noting that it is already four times the number of deaths recorded during the months-long protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Thompson cautioned that the actual death toll could be even higher, stating, “We’re horrified, but we still think the number is conservative.”

Witnesses in Tehran described a heavy security presence, with police stationed at major intersections and plainclothes security officials visible in public areas. Many reported seeing anti-riot police equipped with helmets, shields, and tear gas launchers. While some shops opened for business, foot traffic remained sparse as people expressed concerns about potential military interventions by foreign powers.

Communication from inside Iran has been limited, with many citizens able to make outbound phone calls for the first time since the crackdown began. However, text messaging services remain down, and access to international websites is severely restricted. Individuals who managed to speak with the Associated Press provided insights into the dire situation, mentioning the presence of police and security personnel at key locations.

Amid these challenges, Iranian activists indicated that Starlink has begun offering free internet services within the country. Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist, confirmed the functionality of a newly activated Starlink terminal in Iran, although the company itself has yet to comment on this development.

As the conflict continues, the world watches closely, with calls for accountability and support for the Iranian people growing louder. The conditions on the ground remain volatile, and it is uncertain how the situation will unfold in the coming days.