Tehran, January 12: Iran has witnessed its deadliest wave of unrest in recent years as nationwide anti-government protests entered their fifteenth day, leaving at least 544 people dead and more than 10,600 arrested, according to figures released by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
The protests, which began on December 28 over soaring inflation and worsening economic conditions, have since expanded into widespread demonstrations challenging the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to HRANA, demonstrations have occurred at 585 locations across 186 cities, spanning all 31 provinces, underscoring the scale of the unrest.
HRANA’s verified data shows that among the dead are 483 protesters, 47 members of security forces, one government-affiliated non-civilian, and five non-protesting civilians. Eight children under the age of 18 have also been recorded among the fatalities, though they are not included in the primary tally. An additional 579 reported deaths remain under investigation. More than 10,681 people have been arrested and transferred to prisons since the protests began.
Independent verification has been severely hindered by a nationwide internet shutdown, which crossed the 84-hour mark on Monday, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. The blackout, imposed on January 8, has significantly restricted access to information, though some videos reportedly continue to emerge via satellite internet services.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Iranian security forces have suffered unusually high casualties during the unrest. Citing IRGC-affiliated media, ISW stated that at least 114 members of the Law Enforcement Command, Basij, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have been killed since December 28—more than during any previous protest wave, including the 2022–2023 Mahsa Amini movement. Esfahan province recorded the highest number of security-force deaths.
International concern has grown alongside the escalating violence. US President Donald Trump said Iran appears to be nearing a “red line” set by his administration regarding the treatment of protesters. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington was considering “very strong options,” while confirming that Iranian officials had reached out seeking negotiations.
“We may meet with them, but we may have to act before that,” Trump said, adding that the situation was being closely monitored at the highest levels of the US government. According to a report by The New York Times, Trump has been briefed on a range of military options, including targeted strikes against infrastructure linked to Iran’s internal security apparatus.
Meanwhile, exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has publicly endorsed the protests, calling them a national uprising against the Islamic Republic and urging security forces to defect and side with demonstrators.
As protests continue despite mass arrests, lethal force, and an information blackout, analysts say Iran is facing one of its most serious internal challenges in decades, with implications that could extend far beyond its borders.
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