Figures in the toll of protests in Iran spark debate

Demonstrations that began in Iran on December 28, 2025, due to the impact of economic hardships continue to have an effect nationwide. Since the start of the protests, contradictory information has emerged regarding the death toll and the number of detentions.

According to data from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the number of people who lost their lives in the protest events has reached 3,308. The agency also noted that 24,266 people have been detained by security forces. HRANA pointed out that the deaths are concentrated in regions where the intervention was most severe.

AT LEAST 5 THOUSAND DEAD

Another Iranian official, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the confirmed death toll is at least 5 thousand. The same official stated that this figure also includes approximately 500 security personnel. It was stated that the vast majority of the casualties occurred in provinces in the northwest of the country where the Kurdish population is concentrated. According to the official's statement, "armed groups and terrorist elements" were blamed for the deaths.

REPORT PUBLISHED

Some Iranian doctors working in the healthcare sector spoke of losses far exceeding the official numbers in a report they prepared. The health professionals in question claimed that at least 16 thousand 500 people lost their lives during the protests, and the number of injured exceeded 330 thousand. In the prepared report, it was alleged that the majority of those who died consisted of individuals under the age of 30 and that law enforcement forces used military-grade weapons. The report described the events as "a massacre occurring in digital darkness."

The protests flared up at the Grand Bazaar in the capital Tehran in response to the extreme devaluation of the national currency and the rise in the cost of living, and quickly spread to many cities. Following the increase in violence in the capital on January 8, various restrictions were imposed on internet access across Iran. The number of casualties and detainees has yet to be clarified due to inconsistencies between official authorities and different sources.

News Source: 12punto