Over 2,500 Killed in Iran Protests, Rights Group HRANA Says
Over 2,500 killed in Iran protests, U.S. rights group HRANA says, as President Trump urges continued demonstrations and promises “help is on the way.”
The death toll from ongoing protests in Iran has reached 2,571 as of January 14, the U.S.-based human rights group HRANA reported on Wednesday, January 14 as the Islamic Republic faces its largest wave of unrest in years.
HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated personnel, 12 minors, and nine non-protester civilians. The protests, now spanning over two weeks, were initially sparked by dire economic conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to continue demonstrating and to seize government institutions, adding that “help is on the way.” Iranian officials, however, accused the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest and blamed the deaths on “terrorist operatives” guided by foreign powers.
The unrest has emerged amid rising international pressure on Iran following U.S. and Israeli strikes last year. Analysts say the protests reflect deep economic grievances and growing opposition to the clerical government.
Access to satellite internet services such as Starlink has reportedly helped protesters communicate and share information despite government-imposed internet shutdowns, allowing news of the unrest to reach the outside world.
An Iranian official, speaking on Tuesday, gave a preliminary death toll of around 2,000, marking the first time authorities released overall figures from the nationwide unrest. Trump indicated military action was among the options under consideration to punish Iran for the crackdown.
The protests have posed the biggest internal challenge to Iran’s leadership in at least three years, highlighting the growing unrest within the country and drawing international attention to the human rights situation.
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