The Iranian government has officially released the death toll from recent anti-government protests for the first time. State television, citing the country’s Interior Ministry, said a total of 3,117 people had been killed in the protests.
Authorities have classified 2,427 of the dead as “martyrs” and 690 as “terrorists-rioters.” The government says the list of martyrs includes both civilian protesters and members of the security forces.
However, there is a discrepancy between these official figures and those of international human rights organizations. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency claims that the death toll has exceeded 4,560, and various sources are stating that the number could be higher.
Protests that began on December 28 against the rising cost of living and high inflation have spread to almost all provinces of the country. The Iranian government claims that the situation is now largely under control after a massive crackdown.