At least 6,126 killed in Iran protests, activists say
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the U.S., said the dead include 5,777 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 86 children and 49 other civilians.
At least 6,126 people have died in Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests, activists said Tuesday, while many more remain missing or feared dead.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the US, said the dead include 5,777 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 86 children and 49 other civilians. Over 41,800 people have been arrested. Iran's government reports a lower death toll of 3,117.
The protests began on 28 December after the Iranian currency, the rial, fell sharply. Demonstrations quickly spread across the country and were met with a violent crackdown. Authorities have blocked the internet, making independent verification difficult.
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Meanwhile, the US has sent the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and supporting warships to the Middle East, giving it the ability to respond militarily if needed. Some Iranian-backed militias have signaled readiness to act if Iran is attacked.
Iran has warned that any conflict could engulf the region, but its proxy forces in the Middle East appear disorganized after recent conflicts, including Israel's 12-day war targeting Iran-backed groups.
The scale of the protests and the government's response is the deadliest unrest in Iran in decades, drawing comparisons with the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
UN and US officials have raised concerns about human rights violations, while Iran accuses foreign powers of encouraging the unrest.
The situation remains tense as both domestic protests and regional military threats continue.
