The Iran's Martyrs and Veterans Foundation, a government agency tracking conflict casualties since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reported on 21/1 that a total of 3,117 people died during weeks of protests. This figure includes 2,427 security personnel and civilians.
The figures are based on information from Iran's Forensic Organization, a forensic medicine agency under the judiciary. This marks the first time the Iranian government has released death statistics since protests erupted in late 12/2025 in the capital, Tehran, and spread to cities across the country.
"Many incidents evoke the brutal crimes of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). Numerous fatalities were bystanders, killed in deliberate assassination campaigns or indiscriminate terrorist gunfire, demonstrating inhumane violence," stated the Iran's Martyrs and Veterans Foundation.
The remaining deaths are attributed to "protesters shot dead by organized terrorist elements within the crowd".
Iranian Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi declared on the same day that "the rebellion has ended", and pledged strict action against those behind the protests.
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Protesters march in Tehran on the evening of 10/1. *Photo: AFP* |
Some human rights organizations outside Iran estimate over 15,000 deaths, primarily protesters. Numerous Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have rejected these figures.
The protests in Iran originated from merchants' dissatisfaction with the economic situation and the depreciating rial. While initially peaceful, they quickly escalated into deadly violence.
The protests escalated tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iran accused "terrorist agents" from Israel and the US of inciting unrest, while the US State Department denied this, stating that Tehran was "distracting public opinion from internal issues".
US President Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned the possibility of supporting protesters, including the scenario of ordering airstrikes on Iran. US allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Turkey, reportedly warned Trump about the lasting consequences of attacking Iran, leading the US leader to halt military action at the last minute.
By Huyen Le (*According to Anadolu, NY Times, CNA*)
