Iranian authorities have for the first time acknowledged a massive death toll from two weeks of nationwide protests, with an official stating on Tuesday that approximately 2,000 people have been killed.
The figure, which includes both protesters and security personnel, was provided to Reuters by an Iranian official. The official blamed "terrorists" for the deaths of civilians and security forces but did not provide a specific breakdown of the casualties.
The unrest, fueled by a collapsing economy and soaring inflation, has become the most significant internal challenge to the clerical leadership in years. It follows a period of heightened international tension, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities last year.
While the government has called economic grievances "legitimate," it has simultaneously enforced a brutal security crackdown. Officials have repeatedly accused foreign powers, specifically the U.S. and Israel, of orchestrating the chaos.
Rights groups and international monitors suggest the true scale of the violence may be even higher. Some organizations have verified hundreds of deaths, while others report that thousands have been arrested.
Information remains difficult to verify due to a near-total internet blackout and communication restrictions across the country.
However, verified footage from the past week shows violent nighttime clashes, with security forces using gunfire against demonstrators amid scenes of burning vehicles and buildings.
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