The death toll from the ongoing protests in Iran has dramatically risen to at least 116, according to human rights organizations, marking a significant escalation in the government’s response to the unrest. This figure represents a substantial increase from yesterday’s reported minimum of 65 fatalities, highlighting the escalating intensity of the crisis.
Among the confirmed victims are seven individuals under the age of 18, underscoring the tragic impact on Iran’s youth. Disturbingly, four of the deceased were not directly involved in the protests, including medical personnel, raising serious questions about the proportionality of the security forces’ actions. Investigations into the causes of death suggest that the majority of casualties resulted from injuries inflicted by live ammunition and rubber bullets, often fired at close range, sparking accusations of excessive force. A noteworthy 37 of the deceased were members of the military or security apparatus and one was a state prosecutor, suggesting a deliberate targeting of state authority figures.
The number of arrests has also surged, climbing from 2,311 to 2,638 within 24 hours. While 628 individuals have been identified by the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), 2,010 arrests remain shrouded in obscurity, categorized as mass detentions or lacking specific details. This opacity furthers concerns about due process and potential for arbitrary detention.
Eyewitness accounts describe the protests in Tehran as fragmented and fleeting gatherings, a direct consequence of the pervasive security presence and increasingly oppressive atmosphere. Reports of surveillance drones and heightened security force deployments in and around protest locations indicate a relentless effort to monitor and stifle dissent. Despite the government’s attempts at suppression, protests are reportedly continuing across dozens of other Iranian cities.
Despite ongoing internet restrictions aimed at curbing information flow, state-affiliated media outlets have resumed operations, disseminating narratives that accuse protesters of violence, destruction of property and endangering lives. These accusations are strongly rejected by human rights observers, who allege that the Iranian authorities are engaging in a brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.
The current wave of protests, ignited in Tehran on December 28th, was triggered by the catastrophic collapse of the Iranian currency. Plunging to near-worthlessness on international markets, coupled with a rapidly deteriorating supply situation within Iran, has fueled widespread public anger and discontent. The economic crisis, coupled with restrictive political freedoms, has created a volatile environment that threatens the stability of the Iranian regime and raises serious concerns about the human rights situation within the country.