The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Tuesday that the death toll from Iran's ongoing nationwide protests has climbed to 2,550, including 2,403 protesters and 147 security personnel and government supporters. This marks a significant escalation in the violence that has gripped the country since late December 2025, as authorities intensify their response amid widespread demands for economic relief and political change.
HRANA, which compiles data from activists inside and outside Iran, also documented 614 protest gatherings recorded across 187 cities in all 31 provinces on the 17th day of the demonstrations. The group further reported a total of 18,434 arrests, 1,134 cases of severe injury, and 97 instances of forced broadcast confessions extracted under duress. These figures represent minimum verified counts, as independent verification remains severely hampered by ongoing restrictions.
Iranian authorities have not released any comprehensive official casualty figures, instead characterizing the demonstrations as foreign-orchestrated "riots" and "terrorism" backed by the United States and Israel. Officials have accused external powers of arming rioters and inciting attacks on public spaces nationwide.
The protests erupted on December 28, 2025, beginning in Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, where merchants and shopkeepers shuttered their businesses in protest against the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial. The currency plunged to record lows—reaching approximately 1.4 million to 1.45 million rials per US dollar—amid runaway inflation, food price surges averaging over 70% year-on-year, and broader economic distress. Contributing factors include lingering effects of international sanctions, reduced oil revenues following regional conflicts, and the aftermath of a 12-day war with Israel in June 2025, during which the United States conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Donald Trump described those strikes as having "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's key nuclear enrichment capabilities.
What started as economic grievances quickly morphed into broader anti-government unrest, with chants calling for regime change, greater freedoms, and an end to clerical rule spreading to university campuses, workers, and ordinary citizens across the nation.
In response to the intensifying demonstrations, Iranian security forces—including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—have employed lethal force, live ammunition, tear gas, and mass arrests. A near-total nationwide internet blackout, imposed around January 8, 2026, has persisted for over 132 hours as reported by internet monitoring group NetBlocks on Wednesday. The shutdown has drastically limited communication, independent journalism, and the ability of protesters to coordinate or share evidence of the crackdown, drawing widespread criticism as a tool to obscure violations and enable unchecked repression.
US President Donald Trump addressed the crisis on Tuesday, stating that the United States is prepared to take "very strong action" if reports of planned executions of protesters prove accurate. His comments followed an earlier post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he declared "Help is on the way." Trump elaborated that assistance could include economic measures, referencing past US actions that he said had curtailed Iran's nuclear capacity through strikes in June 2025. He emphasized readiness to act decisively if killings continue or escalate to executions.
Internationally, Nepal joined other nations in issuing a travel advisory on Tuesday. The Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged its citizens living and working in Iran to follow local security protocols, stay indoors, remain vigilant, and exercise maximum caution. It further advised all Nepali nationals to postpone non-essential travel to Iran until the situation normalizes, reflecting growing global concern over safety amid the violence.
China, a key economic partner of Iran, reiterated its support for Tehran on Wednesday. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed hope that the Iranian government and people would overcome current difficulties and maintain stability. She stated, "We oppose external interference in the country’s internal affairs and do not approve the use, or threat of use, of force in international affairs." Mao called on all sides to contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East, while avoiding direct criticism of the crackdown.
The protests represent one of the most severe challenges to Iran's clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, fueled by deep-seated economic despair, currency instability, and accumulated grievances over governance. The involvement of traditionally regime-supportive bazaar merchants underscores the breadth of disillusionment. As the blackout continues and casualty reports mount, international observers warn of the risk of further bloodshed, with calls mounting for restraint, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Analysts note that the regime's reliance on force and digital censorship may prolong the unrest rather than quell it, potentially leading to greater instability in an already volatile region. The situation remains fluid, with sporadic reports of continued gatherings despite the risks.
