The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran passed 2,000 on Tuesday, activists said, as Iranians made calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities cut off communications between protesters.
The death toll has risen to at least 2,003, as reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. This number dwarfs the number of deaths from any other cycle of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state television gave the first official report on the deaths, citing an official as saying the country had “many martyrs” and that it did not release the number of people who died from serious injuries. However, that statement came after activists reported how they would come down.
The protests began a little more than two weeks ago in anger over Iran’s ailing economy and quickly focused on the democratic regime, especially 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Images obtained Tuesday by the Associated Press of the protests in Tehran showed graffiti and chants calling for Khamenei’s death – which could carry the death penalty.
Shortly after the new death toll became public, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social forum: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE YOUR FACILITIES!!!”
He added: “I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing STOPS. HELP IS ON THE WAY.” Trump did not provide details.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-sponsored satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview broadcast Monday night, said he has continued to communicate with US ambassador Steve Witkoff.
But after Trump’s message on Tuesday, Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani responded by writing: “We announce the names of the main murderers of the Iranian people: 1- Trump 2-” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The activist group said that 1,850 of those who died were protesting and 135 were under the government. Nine children died, as well as nine civilians who were not involved in the protests. More than 16,700 people have been arrested, the group said.
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With the internet down in Iran, monitoring protests from abroad has become increasingly difficult. AP could not independently verify the amount paid. The Iranian government did not provide figures for casualties.
Skylar Thompson with the Human Rights Activists News Agency told the AP that the new number is shocking, especially since it reached four times the number of people killed in the Mahsa Amini protests that lasted for months in 2022 in just two weeks.
He warned that the prices will still rise: “We are shocked, but we still think that the number is still too old.”
Speaking by phone for the first time since their calls to foreign countries were cut off, Iranian witnesses described heavy security in central Tehran, burning government buildings, smashing ATMs and few passers-by. Meanwhile, people were worried about what happened next, including the possibility of a US invasion.
“My customers are talking about Trump’s reaction while wondering if he is planning a military strike against the Islamic Republic,” said shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave his name only out of concern for his safety. “I don’t expect Trump or any other foreign country to care about the interests of the Iranian people.”
Reza, who is also a self-proclaimed taxi driver, said that the protests are on the minds of many. “People – especially young people – do not have hope, but they talk about continuing the protests,” he said.
Several people in Tehran were able to call the AP on Tuesday and speak with a reporter. The AP office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to return calls to those numbers. Witnesses say messages are still down, and Internet users in Iran can connect to government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad.
Anti-violence officers wore helmets and body armor while carrying batons, shields, guns and tear gas, according to witnesses. Police officers stand guard at major intersections. Nearby, witnesses saw members of the Basij Revolutionary Guard volunteer force, carrying guns and batons. Security officers in uniform were seen in public places.
Several banks and government offices were burned during the riots, witnesses said. Banks have struggled to complete transactions offline, they added.
Shops were open, although there was little walking in the capital. Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where protests began on December 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, reopened on Tuesday. The witness explained that he spoke to many shop owners who said that the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iran’s state media did not acknowledge the order.
The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retribution.
It also emerged that security forces were searching for Starlink terminals, as people in northern Tehran reported that authorities had raided apartment buildings and satellite dishes. Although satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them at home, and officials have stopped enforcing the law in recent years.
On the streets, people could be seen challenging the plainclothes security officers, who were stopping passers-by.
State television also read a statement about mortuary services and bodies being available for free – a sign that some are charging high fees to release bodies during this incident.
Khamenei, in a statement released by state TV, praised the tens of thousands who participated in pro-government protests across the country on Monday.
“This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deception and not rely on traitorous mercenaries,” he said. “The Iranian nation is strong and powerful and we know the enemy.”
State TV on Monday played chants from the crowd, which appeared to number in the tens of thousands. They chanted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Others shouted, “Death to God’s enemies!” Iran’s attorney general warned that anyone participating in the protests would be considered an “enemy of God,” a crime punishable by death.
