Politics Human rights activists: More than 2,500 killed in protests in Iran
According to activists, at least 2,500 people have died in Iran since the outbreak of protests at the end of December. This was reported by the human rights organization Hengaw, based in Norway, which pointed out that its verification team was working daily to document deaths in the context of the mass protests.
13.01.2026, 20:23
SDA
On Tuesday, Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), which is also registered in Norway, put the number of demonstrators killed at at least 734. However, the organization also warned that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, even in the thousands. "Due to the complete shutdown of the internet since Thursday evening and the massive restrictions on access to information, independent verification of these figures is currently extremely difficult," the report said.
Iranians have been demonstrating against the Islamic Republic's authoritarian system of rule for more than two weeks. The protests, which were triggered by an economic crisis, have now taken on a nationwide dimension. There have been violent riots and serious unrest in cities. The security apparatus has reacted with brutal severity. These are the most serious protests in Iran for years.
Iran defends its action against the unrest
The Iranian state defended the violent crackdown by claiming that the participants in the unrest were "terrorists" or "rioters". Dozens of security forces were killed, according to reports on state radio. None of the information can currently be independently verified.
The population of the country, which has a population of over 90 million, has been cut off from the internet since Thursday. In the past few days, some people in the country have been able to obtain information via exile channels that broadcast their programs via satellite television. In several parts of the capital Tehran, however, security forces have already begun to confiscate satellite dishes from rooftops - an old practice from the pre-Internet era. Satellite dishes are officially banned.
On Tuesday, Iranians were able to make phone calls abroad again for the first time after days of a communications blockade. Some voices that leaked out described terrible days. One young man said: "We hear that hundreds of victims - dead and injured - are being brought to hospitals every day. The situation is not good."
