Media: Iran officially acknowledges 2,000 dead amid nationwide protests

Iranian authorities have for the first time officially acknowledged that roughly 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed during nationwide protests, an unnamed Iranian official said, Reuters reports.

The official claimed that “terrorists” were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security forces, without providing a detailed breakdown.

The unrest, which began on December 28 following a sharp devaluation of the national currency, has grown into wider demonstrations over economic hardship and calls for the fall of the clerical establishment. The protests have posed the largest internal challenge to Iran’s clerical rulers in at least three years, occurring amid intensifying international pressure after Israeli and US strikes last year.

On January 12, US President Donald Trump announced 25 percent import tariffs on products from any country trading with Iran, a major oil exporter, and indicated that military action remains among options being considered. Trump previously stated, “we are locked and loaded.” Tehran has not publicly responded to the tariffs, but China swiftly criticized the move. Iran exports much of its oil to China, with Türkiye, Iraq, the UAE, and India among other top trading partners.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz predicted the regime’s collapse, saying, “I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” and adding that if power is maintained through violence, “it is effectively at its end.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed the remarks, accusing Berlin of double standards and saying it “obliterated any shred of credibility.”

Despite the unrest, there are no signs of fracture within Iran’s security elite. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said, “The government sees security forces and protesters as its children. To the best of our abilities, we have tried and will try to listen to their voices even if some have tried to hijack such protests.” Authorities blame the US, Israel, and unidentified “terrorists” for fomenting unrest.

Communications restrictions, including an internet blackout, have hampered reporting. The UN rights office said phone service had been restored, but internet access remained patchy. Videos verified by Reuters show violent nighttime clashes, with gunfire and burning cars and buildings. US-based rights group HRANA reported over 10,700 arrests, while opposition groups outside Iran claim the death toll is far higher than the official 2,000.

By Vafa Guliyeva