Protesters in Iran were able to call abroad for the first time in several days and talk about the situation inside the country

Photo: Anonymous/Getty Images

According to the US Human Rights Activists News Agency, the number of fatalities reached at least 2,571 people by Wednesday morning. This figure significantly exceeds the number of victims in any other waves of protests or unrest in Iran in recent decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iranian state television for the first time officially acknowledged the deaths, quoting an official who stated that the country has "many martyrs."

The demonstrations began in late December amidst dissatisfaction with Iran's poor economic situation and soon turned against the theocratic government, particularly against the 86-year-old supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Images from protests in Tehran obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday show graffiti and slogans calling for Khamenei's death — an offense punishable by death in Iran.

Amidst the rising reported death toll, US President Donald Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social on Tuesday: "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!". However, a few hours later, Trump told reporters that his administration was waiting for accurate data on the number of protesters killed before acting "appropriately."

Speaking about Iranian security forces, Trump noted: "I think they've behaved very badly, but that's not confirmed."

Iranian authorities again warned Trump against interference. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, responding to the US position, wrote: "We announce the names of the main killers of the people of Iran: 1 — Trump, 2 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

According to the activist group, 2,403 of the deceased were protesters, and 147 were individuals associated with the government. Twelve children also died, as did nine civilians who were allegedly not involved in the protests. More than 18,100 people have been detained, the group reported.

Assessing the scale of the demonstrations from abroad is becoming increasingly difficult, and the AP was unable to independently confirm the death toll.

Skyler Thompson of the Human Rights Activists News Agency told AP that the new figure was shocking, especially considering that it quadrupled the number of deaths during the months-long protests of 2022, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, in just two weeks.

She warned that the death toll would continue to rise: "We are horrified, but we still believe this figure is underestimated."

Speaking on the phone for the first time since communication with the outside world was cut off, Iranian witnesses described a strong security force presence in central Tehran, burned government buildings, smashed ATMs, and an almost complete absence of passersby.

At the same time, people were concerned about what would happen next, including the possibility of a US strike.

"My clients are discussing Trump's reaction and wondering if he is planning a military strike against the Islamic Republic," said a shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave only his first name for security reasons. "I don't expect Trump or any other foreign country to care about the interests of Iranians."

Reza, a taxi driver who also gave only his first name, said the protests are on many people's minds. "People — especially young people — are desperate, but they are talking about continuing the protests," he noted.

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