Tehran [Iran]: At least 544 people have been killed and more than 10,681 individuals arrested amid widespread anti-government protests sweeping Iran for the past 15 days, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The unrest, triggered by soaring inflation, economic distress and growing public anger over governance, has spread across all 31 provinces.
HRANA reported that demonstrations have erupted at 585 locations, covering 186 cities nationwide, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the ongoing protests. The organisation said that an internet shutdown imposed since the 13th day of the unrest has significantly restricted independent verification and information flow.
As per HRANA’s verified data till January 11, 483 protesters have been killed, along with 47 members of military and law enforcement forces and one government-affiliated non-civilian. The death toll also includes five non-protesting civilians and eight children under the age of 18, though the children are not included in the main casualty breakdown. Additionally, 579 reported deaths are still under investigation.
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that more Iranian security personnel have been killed during the current protests than in any previous wave of unrest. Citing IRGC-affiliated media, ISW stated that at least 114 security personnel from the Law Enforcement Command (LEC), Basij, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have died since protests began on December 28. Esfahan province reportedly recorded the highest number of such deaths.
According to ISW, the current unrest has surpassed the 2022–23 Mahsa Amini movement in terms of security force casualties, making it the deadliest protest phase in recent Iranian history.
Amid the escalating violence, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran appears to be crossing a “red line” set by his administration over the treatment of protesters. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington was considering “very strong options” and confirmed that the situation was being monitored at the highest levels.
Trump added that Tehran has reached out to the US seeking negotiations, even as protests continue to rock the Islamic Republic.
