Iran puts ‘deadly’ protest death toll at 3,117

WEB DESK: Iranian authorities on Wednesday released their first official death toll from the recent wave of protests, saying 3,117 people were killed during what they described as “foreign-backed terrorism”. According to officials, 2,427 of the dead have been classified as martyrs, including civilians and members of the security forces, while the remaining 690 were labelled terrorists and rioters.

The figures were issued by Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and later shared by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on X. Officials blamed the unrest on foreign interference, particularly the United States, accusing protesters of carrying out violent attacks on state and military installations.

Unrest and official narrative

The protests began in early January following economic grievances but quickly escalated into large-scale demonstrations against Iran’s leadership, which has been in power since the 1979 revolution. Thousands took to the streets across several cities, with strikes and rallies continuing for days.

Authorities say the demonstrations subsided after security forces moved in and a nationwide internet shutdown was imposed. Activists, however, have described the response as a sweeping crackdown. Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, said the high number of people classified as martyrs reflected the “restraint” shown by security forces.

British journalist and author, Christiana Lamb however reported in the Sunday Times that according to a report she received, the death toll was 16,500 and was a ‘genocide under darkness’.

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Damage, opposition calls and foreign tensions

To show the scale of destruction, Tehran’s municipality escorted journalists to sites damaged during the unrest, including depots with burned buses and public buildings. Meanwhile, exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former shah, renewed calls for continued protests, while his mother, former empress Farah Pahlavi, said there was “no turning back”.

The unrest has also fuelled sharp rhetoric between Tehran and Washington. Iranian military officials warned of retaliation if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were targeted, while US President Donald Trump issued strong warnings in response, further escalating tensions.