Breaking News: Death toll in Iran exceeds 2,500, 18,434 people arrested! Striking claim from a high-level official...

The number of deaths and arrests caused by the protests in Iran, which began on December 28 with reactions to the high cost of living and quickly turned into mass anti-government actions, continues to rise. According to current data shared by the US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), the number of people who have lost their lives during the protests has reached 2,571.

The statement indicated that 2,403 of the deceased were protesters, and 12 were children under the age of 18. It was reported that 9 neutral civilians also lost their lives, while 5 pro-government civilians and 142 security personnel were also killed. The HRA also shared information that it is continuing its investigation into 779 suspicious death cases and that at least 1,134 people have been seriously injured. It was reported that the protests spread to 614 separate demonstrations in 187 cities across 31 provinces, and at least 18,434 people have been arrested during this process.

DEATH TOLL IS RISING

In a report published by the HRA a day earlier, it was announced that the number of people who lost their lives in the protests was at least 646, and 10,721 had been arrested. On the other hand, an Iranian official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity claimed that at least 2,000 people, including security forces, had lost their lives in the demonstrations. The same official alleged that "terrorists" were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security personnel.

LETTER FROM IRANIAN ADMINISTRATION TO THE UN

Meanwhile, the Iranian administration reacted harshly to US President Donald Trump's open support for the ongoing protests in the country. Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, officially filed a complaint regarding Trump's statements in a letter sent to the UN Security Council. In his letter, Iravani recalled Trump's words, "Iranian patriots, continue the protests. Seize the institutions. Help is on the way," and emphasized that these statements target Iran's internal order. Stating that these expressions fuel political instability, Iravani expressed that the statement encourages violence and threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iravani noted that these discourses also constitute a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law contained in the UN Charter.

“PART OF A REGIME CHANGE POLICY”

Drawing attention to Trump's recent statements containing threats to use force against Iran, Iravani stated that these discourses follow an interventionist line. Iravani said, "The call for the 'seizure of institutions' clearly expressed by US President Trump should be evaluated in the context of the 12-day war of aggression carried out against the Islamic Republic of Iran in June 2025, which ended in failure. This call is also an integral part of a broader regime change policy pursued through the so-called 'maximum pressure' campaign."

IRAN ACCUSES US AND ISRAEL OVER DEATHS

Arguing that the US approach toward Iran aims to deliberately deepen social and economic instability in addition to unlawful unilateral sanctions, Iravani claimed that this process aims to spread insecurity and provoke the youth against the government. Regarding the loss of life, Iravani said, "The US and Israeli regimes bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the loss of innocent civilian lives, especially among the youth."

CALL TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

In his call addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the UN Security Council, and member countries, Iravani requested that a clear stance be taken against the US interference in Iran's internal affairs and its threat to use force. In his letter, he included the statement, "All member states must refrain from provocative and irresponsible statements or actions that violate the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Iravani also requested that the letter in question be distributed as an official document to the members of the UN Security Council.

News Source: İHA