Human rights organizations have reported that hundreds of individuals have lost their lives during the recent wave of protests in Iran, with thousands more being detained.
The Iran Human Rights group, based in Norway, stated that at least 192 protesters have been killed since the demonstrations began. However, they also mentioned that there are “unverified reports” suggesting that the death toll could be much higher, potentially exceeding 2,000.
“Due to the complete internet blackout and severe restrictions on information access, verifying these numbers remains a significant challenge,” the organization explained.
Another U.S.-based group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), reported that a total of 538 people have been killed in the government’s crackdown on the nationwide protests. Out of these fatalities, 490 were protesters while 48 were members of the regime’s security forces.
Approximately 10,600 individuals have been detained, according to HRANA, and these numbers are expected to rise in the coming days.
The Epoch Times’ Jack Phillips reported that independent verification of these figures has not been possible. The Iranian government has not released any official data regarding the casualties or the number of individuals detained.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian alleged on Sunday that external entities have been fueling unrest in the country and supporting riots and general chaos. He also expressed willingness to engage with some of the protesters to address their concerns.
“We have committed to resolving their issues through all available means … that’s why we are engaging in discussions with them regularly,” Pezeshkian stated, as reported by state-run Tasnim News.
Addressing the youth in Iran, Pezeshkian cautioned them to “not be swayed by these rioters and terrorists” and highlighted that these individuals “are trained,” according to his statements carried by state-run media outlet PressTV.
There have been unverified reports from within the country suggesting that certain buildings, such as mosques or courthouses, have been set ablaze amid the ongoing turmoil. The accuracy of these reports has not been independently confirmed.
The protests initially erupted on December 28, 2025, due to the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial, which now trades at over 1.4 million against the U.S. dollar, as the nation’s economy grapples with international sanctions imposed partly because of its nuclear activities. The demonstrations have evolved into direct challenges against Iran’s ruling regime.
President Donald Trump has voiced support for the demonstrators, asserting on social media that “Iran is yearning for FREEDOM, perhaps more than ever before. The USA is prepared to assist!!!”
“Iran is in serious trouble. It appears that the people are reclaiming control of cities that seemed beyond reach just a few weeks ago,” Trump told journalists on Friday. “We are closely monitoring the situation. I have strongly stated that if they resort to violence as they have in the past, we will intervene … this does not necessarily mean deploying troops, but it entails delivering a significant blow where it hurts.”
This screenshot from a video circulating on social media shows protesters celebrating and dancing around a bonfire in the streets despite an escalating crackdown while the Islamic Republic remains isolated from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran, on Friday, January 9, 2026. UGC via AP
Trump’s remarks came shortly after the U.S. military conducted an operation in Venezuela, an ally of Iran, that led to the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro on drug-related charges.
About six years ago, Trump authorized a U.S. military strike that resulted in the death of senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, whom the Trump administration identified as a key supporter of attacks on American forces in the Middle East. Furthermore, in the summer, the U.S. and Israeli armed forces launched strikes on facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program, prompting Iran to launch missile assaults on a U.S. air base in Qatar, causing no casualties.
Some Iranian officials have warned that the country could retaliate against Israel or the United States. Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian body who has previously run for the presidency, issued direct threats to both nations during a parliamentary address.
“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military installations, bases, and vessels in the region will be legitimate targets for us,” Qalibaf declared over the weekend. “We do not consider ourselves restricted to responding post-attack and will act based on any tangible signs of a threat.”
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