The ongoing death toll outside of Iran remains obscured by the internet blackout, concealing the full extent of the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. Experts suggest this is the most severe suppression witnessed since the establishment of the Islamic Republic almost five decades ago.
Confirmed reports indicate that over 4,000 protesters have been killed, with numbers rising, according to various NGOs including the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, known for providing reliable data in past crackdowns.
Iranian state media recently acknowledged a death toll exceeding 3,000, following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s statement attributing the deaths to the United States.
Soran Mansournia, an Iranian activist based in the Netherlands, assisting the Hiwa Foundation in tracking casualties, expressed concerns over the blackout’s impact on revealing the true scale of casualties.
Mansournia highlighted the use of satellite internet by an estimated 50,000 Starlink users in Iran to share information, indicating potential severe events in the country. He mentioned ongoing efforts by Iranian security forces to target individuals using portable satellite dishes.
Disturbing reports include protesters being removed from hospitals, detained while giving blood, and families being extorted for “bullet fees” for the release of deceased loved ones’ bodies.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of being influenced by the U.S., vowing to resist anti-government demonstrations. The country’s isolation from the world through the internet blackout has limited external visibility of the situation.
Activist Warns of Looming Executions
The regime’s violent actions have seemingly subdued the protests sparked by economic grievances, shifting to broader demands for political change within Iran.
Initial international response was overshadowed by U.S. President Trump’s promises to support protesters against security force violence and his controversial statements encouraging street takeovers.
Despite reports of numerous casualties, Trump commended Iran for halting planned