The death toll from days of protests in Iran has been “significant,” a state-affiliated news agency linked to the security establishment reported today, citing an “informed source.”
Protesters continue to pour onto the streets across Iran’s provinces, rallying against the regime and a sharp decline in living conditions. Over the past two days, Iranians have answered the call of the exiled son of the country’s last shah, or king, staging widespread demonstrations even as the government launches a brutal crackdown.
The exact death toll remains unclear after days of protests, amid a near-total communications blackout, though even state-affiliated outlets tied to the security apparatus, such as Tasnim News Agency, acknowledged a high number of fatalities.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that 116 people have been killed since protests erupted across all 31 of Iran’s provinces two weeks ago. It remains unclear whether HRANA’s tally fully captures the scale of casualties, given the authorities’ nationwide shutdown of internet access and telephone lines.
CNN cannot independently verify the figures from activist groups, and Iranian officials have not released any official casualty updates.
In a report today, Tasnim claimed widespread attacks have been carried out against civilian targets by those it dubbed foreign-backed terrorists. Authorities have sought to differentiate between economic protesters and those calling for regime change, branding the latter as “rioters” and foreign-backed “mercenaries” while pledging a tougher crackdown against them.
Dozens were arrested across Iran as violent protests continued last night. In one province alone, Lorestan, at least 100 people were detained, state media said citing police. Several videos published on Iranian media showed dozens of men arrested, lined up and blindfolded facing the wall, with some weeping.
In more than two weeks of protests, more than 100 members of Iran’s security forces have been killed, according to Tasnim. In Isfahan, one of Iran’s largest provinces, state media reported that 30 security personnel died, without specifying a time frame. In Kermanshah, state-affiliated Mehr News Agency said six members of the Basij paramilitary force, used to suppress demonstrations, were killed.