Iran reports 3,117 deaths in recent unrest, widespread damage to banks, mosques, schools

ISLAMABAD: Iran has released official figures saying more than 3,100 people were killed during recent unrest across the country, describing the violence as part of a coordinated plot aimed at destabilising the state and forcing regime change.

Speaking to journalists in Rawalpindi, Iran’s Cultural Attaché and Director General of Khana-e-Farhang, Mehdi Taheri, said 3,170 people died during the unrest, including more than 2,400 civilians and security personnel, while 690 were killed in counter-operations.

Taheri said the violence escalated rapidly and caused widespread destruction within 48 hours, with 750 banks, around 750 police stations and more than 400 government buildings set ablaze nationwide.

He added that attackers also targeted 200 schools, about 350 mosques, two churches and 305 ambulances, while 800 private vehicles and 700 shops were destroyed. According to him, 600 ATMs, 253 bus stops, 120 Basij centres and 24 fuel stations were also torched.

Taheri said Iranian authorities believe the violence was premeditated and aimed at spreading fear, paralysing daily life and triggering regime change, adding that the plan was foiled within two days.

He claimed that individuals arrested during the unrest were in direct contact with Israeli officials, and said the scale of damage contradicted what he described as Western media portrayals of the protests as peaceful.

Taheri said protests had initially remained peaceful for about a week and were recognised as legitimate by the Iranian government, but turned violent after armed elements joined in, adding that armed individuals also fired on peaceful demonstrators.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Board, Taheri said the move had undermined the United Nations, calling it ineffective and symbolic. He said the initiative would harm the Palestinian cause and reiterated Iran’s position that any solution for Palestine must be based on the will of the Palestinian people, without external imposition.