January 13, 2026 l By Stephen — Dalena Reporters
DUBAI/TEHRAN — The death toll from ongoing nationwide protests in Iran may be far higher than previously documented, with an Iranian official telling Reuters that “around 2,000 people” have been killed amid the unrest that has gripped the country since late December. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, attributed many of the deaths to actions by what Tehran describes as “terrorists,” although independent verification of the figure has not yet been possible given the severe information blackout imposed by authorities.
The protest movement, sparked initially by deepening economic hardship, skyrocketing inflation and the plunging value of the Iranian rial, has rapidly evolved into one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership in years. Demonstrations have spread across major cities and smaller towns alike, with footage circulating on limited channels showing large crowds confronting riot police and security forces.
Iran’s government has maintained that the unrest has been fuelled by foreign interference and violent “terrorist” elements, dismissing peaceful protesters and justifying its crackdown as a necessary response to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, state media has amplified pro-government rallies and statements decrying external meddling, including warnings directed at foreign powers such as the United States.
International reactions to the situation have varied, with some governments urging restraint and respect for human rights and others highlighting the protesters’ grievances. Reports from global news outlets note that, despite the official claim of around 2,000 deaths, rights groups had previously confirmed at least 500 fatalities including scores of protesters and security personnel and tens of thousands of arrests before the blackout disrupted independent reporting.
The possible 2,000-casualty figure—if substantiated—would mark one of the deadliest periods of civil unrest in Iran in decades, echoing the widespread upheaval seen during the 2022 “Women, Life, Freedom” protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.
With communications still restricted and access for foreign journalists limited, the full scale of the humanitarian impact remains unclear. International human rights organisations continue to call for unfettered access into the country, transparent reporting of casualties and accountability for use of force against demonstrators.