At least 5,000 people have been killed in protests across Iran this month, according to an Iranian official, including around 500 security personnel. This is the highest death toll reported so far by a government source in connection with the unrest.
The figure highlights the scale of the nationwide protests, which have shaken Iran’s political establishment and drawn the United States close to potential intervention. Quoting Reuters, the official blamed “Israel and armed groups abroad” for the high number of deaths, adding that the government’s official count is unlikely to rise significantly.
The protests began in Tehran on December 28 following a sharp collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial. Initially driven by economic grievances, the demonstrations quickly escalated into a broader anti-government movement, with protesters demanding the removal of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
