The death toll in Iran's ongoing protests, which began December 28, 2025, over economic woes and have since spread nationwide, has surged to at least 490 according to HRANA, up from 62 reported earlier this week. Hospitals in Tehran are overwhelmed, the internet blackout persists, and protesters are using smuggled Starlink terminals to communicate. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemns the violence.
Since entering their third week, the protests against Iran's regime—initially sparked by a collapsing rial and inflation—have seen intense clashes, with HRANA now reporting 490 protester deaths (up sharply from 62 on January 9), 48 security force deaths, and over 10,000 arrests. The regime under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has maintained a near-total internet and telephony blackout since January 8, but activists have smuggled in Starlink receivers with help from Iranian exiles, per expert Arvin Khoshnood.
Tehran hospitals are in chaos, with a doctor telling CNN patients fear identification, and BBC reporting many injured are young adults (20-25). Reuters images show bodies outside a morgue, with unverified timestamps. Protesters continue demanding change after 45 years of the Islamic Republic post-1979 monarchy fall, some invoking Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Internationally, earlier rhetoric included Khamenei's accusations against Trump and Pahlavi's appeals; now, Sweden's PM Ulf Kristersson condemned the killings on X, demanding release of detainees. A Dagens Nyheter op-ed urges sanctions and support for Iranians.
