Iran is grappling with one of the deadliest waves of unrest in decades, as nationwide protests continue to escalate.
Reports indicate that the death toll has now surpassed 2,500, marking a level of violence not seen in the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,571 people have died as of early Wednesday.
The figures include 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated individuals, along with 12 children and 9 civilians who were not involved in demonstrations.
Authorities have detained more than 18,100 people during the unrest.
Official Acknowledgment From Iranian State Media
While tracking the unrest from abroad has become increasingly challenging, Iranian state TV has now made the first official acknowledgment of the fatalities.
Quoting an unnamed official, the network described the situation as having “a lot of martyrs,” signaling the scale of the crisis.
The demonstrations, which began in late December, were initially fueled by frustration over Iran’s struggling economy but quickly evolved into widespread opposition to the country’s theocratic leadership.
Protesters have openly challenged 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with graffiti and chants calling for his removal—a bold act that carries severe risks, including the death penalty.
Trump’s Response and Calls for Action
As news of the rising death toll spread, US President Donald Trump took to his social platform, Truth Social, urging Iranians to continue protesting:
“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!”
He also announced that he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing of protesters” stops, assuring that “help is on its way.”
A striking image from a rally in Switzerland showed a burning depiction of Ayatollah Khamenei, highlighting international support for the protesters.
Caution and International Tensions
Despite his strong statements online, Trump later told reporters that the US administration was awaiting verified information on the deaths before deciding how to respond.
He acknowledged that Iranian security forces seemed to have “badly misbehaved,” though he noted this had not been confirmed.
In response, Iranian officials warned Trump against intervention.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, blamed both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the unrest, declaring them “the main killers of the people of Iran.”
Human Rights Groups Sound the Alarm
Skylar Thompson of the Human Rights Activists News Agency described the situation as shocking, particularly because the death toll in just two weeks has already quadrupled that of the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, which lasted months.
She warned that the number could still rise, stating:
“We’re horrified, but we still think the number is conservative.”
The world is now watching closely as the situation in Iran continues to unfold, with many wondering what steps both local and international actors will take next.
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