DUBAI, Jan 13: The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran spiked Tuesday to at least 2,003 people killed, activists said, and Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications during a crackdown.
The number of dead, as reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, dwarfs that in any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
These demonstrations, which began little over two weeks ago in anger over Iran’s ailing economy, soon targeted the theocracy, particularly 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Images obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press from demonstrations in Tehran show graffiti and chants calling for Khomeini’s death – something that could carry a death sentence.
Soon after the new death toll became public, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” He added: “I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” Trump did not give details.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired Monday night, said he had continued to communicate with US envoy Steve Witkoff.
The activist group said 1,850 of the dead were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Another nine children were killed, along with nine civilians it said were not taking part in protests. It said over 16,700 people had been detained.
With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government hasn’t offered overall casualty figures. (AP)
