Iranian Official Reports Over 5,000 Deaths in Nationwide Protests

Iranian Official Confirms Over 5,000 Deaths in Protests An Iranian official revealed on Sunday that at least 5,000 people have died in recent protests within the country. This figure includes approximately 500 security personnel. The unnamed official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, blamed 'terrorists and armed thugs' for the killings of 'innocent Iranians.' The most intense clashes and highest number of fatalities were reported in the Kurdish-dominated regions of northwestern Iran. The official stated that the death toll is not expected to rise significantly further but accused 'Israel and foreign armed groups' of supporting the demonstrators with resources and equipment. Iranian authorities often attribute domestic unrest to external enemies, particularly Israel, with whom Iran has long-standing tensions. Israel conducted military strikes against Iran in June. HRANA, a U.S.-based human rights organization, reported on Saturday that at least 3,308 people have been confirmed dead, with 4,382 cases under investigation. The group also verified that over 24,000 individuals have been arrested. Hengaw, a Norway-based Iranian Kurdish human rights organization, noted that the most violent confrontations occurred in the same northwestern Kurdish areas where protests initially erupted in late December. The ongoing protests, which began as localized demonstrations, have evolved into widespread anti-government movements across Iran. The government has responded with force, leading to significant international condemnation and calls for independent investigations into the violence.