By Micah Jonah
January 22, 2026
Iranian state media has released the first official death toll from the recent wave of anti government protests, reporting that at least 3,117 people were killed during the unrest and subsequent security crackdown.
According to a statement broadcast on state television, the Martyrs Foundation said that 2,427 of those who died were civilians and members of the security forces. The remaining deaths were not clearly categorized in the report.
Independent monitoring groups have presented higher figures. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the United States, estimates that 4,519 people were killed, including thousands of protesters, nearly 200 security personnel, dozens of minors, and bystanders. The group added that more than 9,000 additional cases were still under review.
The protests began in late December as demonstrations over rising prices and the weakening national currency. They later spread nationwide and developed into broader protests against the government.
Iranian authorities have described the unrest as terrorist driven violence and accused the United States of fueling the disturbances. Government officials insist that security forces acted to restore order.
Human rights organizations, however, have accused Iranian security forces of using excessive force. Amnesty International said it documented cases where security personnel were positioned on streets and rooftops and fired at unarmed individuals during crowd dispersal operations.
Rising international tensions
The crisis has further increased tensions between Iran and the United States. In a recent opinion article, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would respond forcefully if attacked, while also calling for mutual respect between nations.
He said any large scale conflict would be prolonged, highly destructive and likely to affect countries beyond the Middle East, with consequences for global stability.
US President, Donald Trump has issued strong warnings toward Iran, stating that any direct attack on him would result in severe retaliation. His comments have drawn concern across the region.
Reports indicate that several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, have urged Washington to avoid military escalation and to pursue diplomatic solutions amid fears of wider regional instability.
As Iran faces both internal unrest and growing external pressure, observers say the situation remains volatile, with significant risks for regional security and global economic stability.
