Iran protests loss of life toll tops 2,000, activists say, in worst upheaval since 1979 revolution

[ad_1] The loss of life toll from nationwide protests in Iran surpassed 2,000 individuals on Tuesday, activists stated, as Iranians made cellphone calls overseas for the primary time in days after authorities severed communications throughout a crackdown on protesters.

The variety of lifeless climbed to at the least 2,003, as reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists Information Company. That determine dwarfs the loss of life toll from some other spherical of protest or unrest in Iran in a long time and remembers the chaos surrounding the nation's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iranian state tv provided the primary official acknowledgment of the deaths, quoting an official saying the nation had “numerous martyrs” and that it didn't launch a toll earlier due to the lifeless struggling grotesque accidents. Nonetheless, that assertion got here solely after activists reported their toll.

Automobiles burn in a road throughout a protest over the collapse of the forex's worth in Tehran on January 8, 2026. by way of REUTERS - Stringer The demonstrations started just a little over two weeks in the past in anger over Iran’s ailing financial system and shortly focused the theocracy, significantly 86-year-old Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photographs obtained Tuesday by the Related Press from demonstrations in Tehran confirmed graffiti and chants calling for Khamenei's loss of life – one thing that would carry a loss of life sentence.

Iranian state media has stated dozens of members of the safety forces have been killed, with their funerals turning into massive pro-government rallies. Authorities have declared three days of nationwide mourning for these killed.

Quickly after the brand new loss of life toll turned public, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Fact Social platform: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!”

He added: “I've cancelled all conferences with Iranian Officers till the mindless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” Trump didn't give particulars.

Learn extra 'Little urge for food for regime change’: Trump affords 'assist' for Iran's protesters, however what can he do?

Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi, talking to the Qatar-funded satellite tv for pc information community Al Jazeera in an interview aired Monday evening, stated he had continued to speak with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

However after Trump's message Tuesday, prime Iranian safety official Ali Larijani responded by writing: “We declare the names of the primary killers of the individuals of Iran: 1- Trump 2-” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The activist group stated 1,850 of the lifeless have been protesters and 135 have been government-affiliated. 9 youngsters have been killed, together with 9 civilians it stated weren't collaborating in protests. Greater than 16,700 individuals have been detained, the group stated.

With the web down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from overseas has grown harder. Retailers have been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran’s authorities has not provided general casualty figures.

Skylar Thompson with the Human Rights Activists Information Company stated the brand new toll was stunning, significantly because it reached 4 occasions the loss of life toll of the months-long 2022 Mahsa Amini protests in simply two weeks.

“We’re horrified, however we nonetheless suppose the quantity is conservative," she stated, warning that the toll would nonetheless rise.

No less than 2,000 protesters killed in Iran, with footage suggesting abstract executions

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© France 24 Talking by cellphone for the primary time since their calls have been lower off from the skin world, Iranian witnesses described a heavy safety presence in central Tehran, burned-out authorities buildings, smashed ATMs and few passersby. In the meantime, individuals have been involved about what comes subsequent, together with the potential for a US assault.

“My clients speak about Trump’s response whereas questioning if he plans a army strike towards the Islamic Republic,” stated shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave solely his first title out of concern for his security.

“I don’t anticipate Trump or some other international nation cares in regards to the pursuits of Iranians.”

Reza, a taxi driver who additionally gave simply his first title, stated protests are on many individuals's minds.

“Folks – significantly younger ones – are hopeless, however they speak about persevering with the protests,” he stated.

A number of individuals in Tehran have been capable of name the AP on Tuesday and converse to a journalist. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to name these numbers again. Witnesses stated textual content messaging was nonetheless down, and web customers in Iran may connect with government-approved web sites regionally however nothing overseas.

Anti-riot law enforcement officials wore helmets and physique armour whereas carrying batons, shields, shotguns and tear gasoline launchers, based on the witnesses. Police stood watch at main intersections. Close by, witnesses noticed members of the Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij drive, who carried firearms and batons. Safety officers in plainclothes have been seen in public areas.

Who's the IRGC, the Iranian corps imposing the crackdown on protesters?

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Outlets have been open, although there was little foot visitors within the capital. Tehran's Grand Bazaar, the place the demonstrations started December 28 over the collapse of Iran's rial forex, opened Tuesday. A witness described talking to a number of shopkeepers who stated safety forces ordered them to reopen it doesn't matter what. Iranian state media didn't acknowledge that order.

The witnesses spoke on situation of anonymity for worry of reprisal.

Blackout over Iran: Can the regime preserve a lid on the nationwide rebellion?

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THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24 It additionally appeared that safety service personnel have been looking for Starlink terminals, as individuals in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding house buildings with satellite tv for pc dishes.

Whereas satellite tv for pc tv dishes are unlawful, many within the capital have them in properties, and officers broadly had given up on imposing the legislation in recent times.

On the streets, individuals additionally may very well be seen difficult plainclothes safety officers, who have been stopping passersby at random.

State tv additionally learn a press release about mortuary and morgue providers being free – a sign that some doubtless charged excessive charges for the discharge of our bodies amid the crackdown.

Learn extra Iran's Khamenei says robust turnout at pro-government rallies 'warning' to US

Khamenei, in a press release carried by state TV, praised the tens of hundreds who took half in pro-government demonstrations nationwide on Monday.

“This was a warning to American politicians to cease their deceit and never depend on traitorous mercenaries,” he stated. “The Iranian nation is robust and highly effective and conscious of the enemy.”

State TV on Monday aired chants from the group, which appeared to quantity within the tens of hundreds. They chanted “Dying to America!” and “Dying to Israel!” Others cried out, “Dying to the enemies of God!” Iran’s lawyer common has warned that anybody collaborating in protests shall be thought-about an “enemy of God”, a death-penalty cost.