The death toll from widespread protests in Iran has surpassed 2,500 individuals, as reported by activists on Wednesday. Iranians managed to make overseas phone calls after a communication blackout was enforced during the government’s crackdown, marking an unprecedented level of violence in Iran’s protest history.
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) based in the U.S. confirmed the death toll of 2,571, with 2,403 protesters, 147 government-linked individuals, 12 children, and nine non-protesting civilians among the casualties. Over 18,100 people have been detained during the two-week-long protests, according to the activist group.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Iranian protesters on social media, urging them to continue their demonstrations. However, he later mentioned that his administration was waiting for accurate information on the number of fatalities before taking further action.
Iran’s government has not disclosed overall casualty figures, but Iranian state television acknowledged a high death toll only after reports from HRANA activists. With internet services disrupted in Iran, monitoring the protests remotely has become challenging, and independent verification of the death toll remains unavailable.
The unrest in Iran resulted in several banks and government offices being set ablaze, with ATMs vandalized and financial transactions hampered due to the internet outage. Despite the chaotic situation, shops were open in Tehran, although foot traffic was noticeably low.
Concerns about a potential U.S. military strike on Iran persist, even as Trump hinted at the possibility of negotiations with the Iranian government. People in northern Tehran reported security forces searching for Starlink terminals, while individuals challenged plainclothes officials on the streets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned ongoing communication with the U.S. envoy, despite Trump’s announcement of canceling meetings with Iranian officials and imposing tariffs on countries conducting business with Iran. China condemned the U.S. tariff threat, emphasizing its opposition to unilateral sanctions and trade wars, while other countries expressed disapproval of Iran’s crackdown on protesters through diplomatic actions and economic sanctions.