Death Toll in Iran Protests Soars Amidst Tensions
In what is becoming a humanitarian crisis, the death toll during the ongoing Iranian anti-government protests has soared past 2,000, with some reports even alleging casualties as high as 12,000. The weeks-long nationwide demonstrations, which started on December 28, 2021, have resulted in brutal repression, with the Iranian regime blaming terrorists
for the escalation in violence.
Background
The protests, which began with shopkeepers and bazaar merchants demonstrating against a currency crisis, have escalated into a broad civil unrest against Iran's theocratic regime. Reports suggest that a variety of people, including a sculptor, a promising teenage footballer, and a popular hairdresser, are among the thousands who have lost their lives in these protests.
Conflicting Reports on Casualties
While the U.S.-based human rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency and Iran Human Rights in Norway reported the death toll to be over 500 and 648 respectively, a regime official told Reuters that approximately 2,000 demonstrators have been killed. In contrast, an opposition newspaper and Iran International, a news agency, have claimed that the death toll has reached a staggering 12,000.
The human rights organisation HRANA has also reported that the crackdown on the protest movement has resulted in over 2500 deaths, with a majority being protesters. However, the organization also noted that 147 members of the security forces and government supporters have also been killed.
Iran's state television has acknowledged the loss of a lot of martyrs
in the ongoing protests, with reports suggesting that the death toll could be over 3,000. Nonetheless, the true extent of the fatalities remains unclear due to the contrasting narratives.
Warnings and De-escalation Attempts
The U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran has warned American citizens in the country to leave immediately, stating that the protests are escalating and may turn violent. This warning comes alongside reports of an imminent execution of a 26-year-old protester, which would mark the first execution tied to the recent anti-regime demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has stated that Iran is ready for both war and dialogue. The White House has responded by calling diplomacy the 'first option,' emphasizing the need for de-escalation.
Current Status
The protests continue to intensify, with social media footage showing protesters gathered on the streets of Marvdasht in the southern Iranian Fars province. Amidst reports of drone surveillance and alleged positioning of snipers, the situation in Iran continues to remain volatile. As the world watches, the Iranian regime is under increasing pressure both domestically and internationally to address the growing unrest and the escalating death toll.