#JustIn: Activists Claim Iran Protest Death Toll Crosses 5,000 Including 43 Children
Activists report over 5,000 killed in Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests amid internet blackout.
The death toll from Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests has crossed 5,000, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The group reported at least 5,002 fatalities, including 4,716 demonstrators, 203 government-affiliated individuals, 43 children, and 40 civilians not involved in the protests, warning that the actual number could be far higher.
The protests, which erupted on December 28, have been met with mass arrests and an unprecedented internet blackout imposed on January 8. Activists say the communications shutdown—now extending beyond two weeks—has made it extremely difficult to verify casualties, share information, or document human rights abuses inside the country.
HRANA also reported that more than 26,800 people have been detained as authorities intensify arrests. The organisation’s estimates, based on a verified activist network inside Iran, have proven reliable during past unrest and suggest this may be the deadliest period of civil upheaval since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s government, however, has disputed the figures, releasing its first official toll this week and claiming 3,117 deaths. Authorities said civilians and security forces made up most of the fatalities, while labeling others as “terrorists.” Critics note that Iran has historically underreported casualties during periods of unrest.
The crisis has unfolded amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. President Donald Trump has warned Tehran against killing peaceful protesters or carrying out mass executions, as US military assets—including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln—move closer to the Middle East. Trump described the deployment as precautionary but hinted at possible military action.
International concern has also grown over reports that detainees are being charged as “mohareb,” or enemies of God—a crime punishable by death. As Iran’s Revolutionary Guard marked its annual “Day of the Guardian,” state media showcased military hardware and issued veiled threats, reinforcing fears that the crackdown may intensify rather than ease in the coming days.
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