Iran protest death toll nears 6,000 as Tehran warns US
A U.S.-based rights group says nearly 6,000 people have been killed in Iran’s ongoing protest crackdown, as Tehran warns Washington against any form of intervention. The demonstrations, which began in late December over economic hardship, quickly evolved into mass protests against the Islamic republic, with huge rallies from January 8 and a nationwide internet shutdown now in its 18th day. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said it has confirmed 5,848 deaths, including 209 security personnel, and is still investigating a further 17,091 possible fatalities. It also reported at least 41,283 arrests. By contrast, Iranian authorities last week gave an official toll of 3,117 dead, mostly described as security forces or bystanders killed by “rioters”. Rights monitors accuse security forces of firing directly at protesters under cover of the internet blackout. NetBlocks said the shutdown is “obscuring the extent […]
