The death toll in Iran’s anti-government protests has risen once more, prompting US President Donald Trump to call off discussions with Iranian officials in light of the violent crackdown on demonstrators.
Beginning in December over economic hardships, the protests in Iran quickly turned to demand the removal of the long-standing Mullah regime in power since 1979.
Reports and images from various media sources depict Tehran covered in graffiti and reverberating with calls for the demise of 86-year-old supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite facing armed forces armed with firearms, protesters continue to take to the streets, with footage showing rows of body bags at Tehran morgues.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll from the nationwide protests has reached at least 2,571 as of January 14, with 2,403 identified as protesters and 147 as government supporters. Over 18,100 individuals have been detained.
This death toll surpasses any previous unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, marking a stark escalation in violence.
Skylar Thompson from the agency expressed shock at the soaring death toll, which exceeds that of the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests over a mere two-week period, hinting that the actual figures may be higher.
In a rare acknowledgment, Iranian state TV confirmed the presence of “many martyrs” in the country due to the ongoing protests.
President Trump has urged Iranians to persist in their actions, vowing to halt discussions with Iranian officials until the violence against protesters ceases, promising assistance.
Trump emphasized the need for accurate information on the protesters’ casualties before considering further action.
In an interview, Trump warned Iran of severe consequences if they proceed with the planned executions of protesters, with the first execution scheduled for Wednesday.
Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old clothes shop owner and father, is set to be the first person executed in response to his alleged involvement in the protests, sparking outrage over the swift and harsh response.
Iranian authorities have issued warnings against US intervention, declaring that any strikes would make the US a “legitimate target.”