Death toll in Iran protests over 3000: rights group
Rights activists say more than 3,000 people have died in Iran’s nationwide protests, while a “very slight increase” in internet activity in the country was reported following an eight-day blackout.
US-based group HRANA said 3090 deaths had been confirmed, including 2885 protesters, after residents said the crackdown had largely suppressed protests for now and state media reported more arrests.
Many residents reached by Reuters said the capital, Tehran, had been relatively quiet for four days.
Residents of the area, who asked not to be identified for their safety, said drones were flying over the city but there were no signs of major protests on Thursday or Friday.
A resident of a northern city on the Caspian Sea said the streets there also appeared quiet.
The protests erupted on December 28 over economic difficulties and escalated into widespread demonstrations calling for an end to religious rule in the Islamic Republic, culminating in mass violence late last week.
More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran’s worst civil unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to opposition groups and an Iranian official.
“Measurements show a very slight increase in internet connectivity in Iran this morning,” internet monitoring group NetBlocks said after the 200-hour shutdown in X.
It was stated that connectivity remained at approximately two percent of normal levels.
Several Iranians abroad said they were able to send messages to users living in Iran on social media early Saturday.
US President Donald Trump, who threatened “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters, said Tehran leaders have canceled mass executions.
“I have great respect for the fact that all executions planned to take place yesterday (more than 800) were canceled by the Iranian government. Thank you!” shared on social media.
Iran has not announced or said it has canceled plans for such executions.
Indian students and pilgrims returning from Iran said they were largely confined to their accommodation during their stay in the country and were unable to communicate with their families back home.
“We only heard stories of violent protests and a man jumped in front of our car with a burning baton, shouting something in the local language with anger in his eyes,” said Z Syeda, a third-year medical student at a university in Tehran.
Commercial flights are possible and New Delhi will take steps to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian citizens, India’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
