Nearly 2,000 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during protests in Iran, an Iranian official said on Tuesday, marking the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll since unrest erupted across the country two weeks ago.
Speaking to Reuters, the official said those described by the government as terrorists were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security personnel. No breakdown of the casualties was provided.
The protests, triggered by worsening economic conditions, represent the most serious internal challenge faced by Iran’s leadership in at least three years. The unrest has unfolded amid growing international pressure on Tehran following Israeli and US strikes last year.
Iran’s clerical authorities, who have ruled the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, have adopted a dual approach to the demonstrations. While acknowledging that protests over economic grievances are legitimate, they have launched a wide-ranging security crackdown. The government has accused the United States and Israel of stirring unrest and claimed that unidentified groups it labels as terrorists have taken over the protests.
A rights group had earlier reported that hundreds of people were killed and said thousands more were arrested during the demonstrations. The true scale of the crackdown has been difficult to verify due to communications restrictions, including an internet blackout imposed in recent days.