#JUSTIN:Activists Report At Least 7,002 Killed In Iran Protest Crackdown

A U.S.-based human rights group has reported that the death toll from Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests has reached at least 7,002, with many more feared dead amid ongoing challenges in verifying casualties. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which relies on a network of activists inside Iran to crosscheck information, released the updated figure on February 11, 2026. The organization has a track record of accuracy in documenting deaths during previous waves of unrest in the country, though communication difficulties and government restrictions continue to slow the tallying process.

The protests, which erupted last month, represent one of the most significant challenges to Iran's theocratic government in recent years. Security forces have employed lethal force, including live ammunition, to suppress demonstrations that spread across multiple cities. The crackdown has drawn international condemnation for its scale and intensity, with reports of mass killings, particularly in early January. Iran's government provided its only official death toll on January 21, stating 3,117 people were killed—a figure widely viewed as an undercount given the regime's history of minimizing fatalities in past unrest.

HRANA's count includes verified deaths of protesters, while noting that the total likely exceeds the reported number due to unconfirmed cases, enforced disappearances, and restricted access to information. The group has previously documented breakdowns showing a majority of victims as civilians, including children and non-combatants. The slow rise in the activist-reported toll reflects gradual verification as networks overcome internet blackouts and intimidation of witnesses and families.

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The protests stem from deep-seated grievances over economic hardship, political repression, and demands for greater freedoms, echoing earlier movements but marked by unusually severe state response. Broader estimates from other sources, including UN officials and independent reports, have suggested figures ranging from 5,000 to over 20,000 in some assessments, though HRANA's methodical approach focuses on confirmed cases. The Iranian authorities have not publicly responded to the latest activist figures, continuing to frame the unrest as involving "terrorists" or external interference.

The revelation underscores the human cost of the ongoing suppression and highlights persistent calls for independent investigations into the crackdown. As communication remains limited inside Iran, rights groups emphasize the need for transparency and accountability to address the scale of reported violations and prevent further escalation.

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