An Iranian official stated on Sunday that at least 5,000 people have died in recent nationwide protests, including 500 security personnel, blaming terrorists and armed rioters. The unrest, sparked by economic hardship on December 28, has escalated into calls for ending clerical rule, marking the deadliest clashes since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Iran's judiciary has hinted at possible executions for acts classified as Mohareb.
Nationwide protests in Iran erupted on December 28 amid economic difficulties and quickly expanded over two weeks into broad demonstrations demanding an end to clerical rule. This has resulted in the most lethal unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution, according to reports.
An unnamed Iranian official in the region cited verified figures on Sunday, reporting at least 5,000 deaths, including about 500 security personnel. The official accused “terrorists and armed rioters” of killing “innocent Iranians” and noted that the toll is unlikely to increase sharply, attributing support to protesters from “Israel and armed groups abroad.” Iran's clerical establishment often blames such unrest on foreign adversaries, including the U.S. and Israel, which conducted military strikes in June.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened intervention if killings or executions continue. On Friday, he posted on social media thanking Tehran's leaders for canceling scheduled executions of 800 people. In response, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a Saturday speech, called Trump a “criminal” for backing protesters and acknowledged “several thousand deaths,” which he blamed on “terrorists and rioters” linked to the U.S. and Israel. “We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” Khamenei said.
Trump remarked in a Saturday Politico interview: “it’s time to look for new leadership in Iran.” Meanwhile, Iran's judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir announced at a Sunday press conference that certain actions qualify as Mohareb—waging war against God under Islamic law, punishable by death—signaling potential executions.
A U.S.-based rights group, HRANA, reported a lower death toll of 3,308 on Saturday, with 4,382 cases under review and over 24,000 arrests confirmed. The violent crackdown by security forces has largely subdued the protests, per residents and state media. A Tehran resident witnessed riot police shooting at young protesters, and Reuters-verified social media videos show widespread crackdowns.
Heaviest clashes occurred in northwestern Kurdish areas, where separatists are active. An anonymous local described armed individuals, disguised as protesters, shooting civilians with guns and knives. The Norway-based Hengaw group noted intense fighting there. On January 14, sources indicated armed Kurdish separatists attempted to enter from Iraq, possibly exploiting instability.
Information flow has been hampered by internet blackouts, briefly eased on Saturday morning but later reimposed, according to NetBlocks. A Pakistani doctor, Faizan Ali, cut short his visit to Isfahan, citing no internet and witnessing mobs burning buildings and a stabbing.
