Iran protest death toll exceeds 6,100, nearly 42,000 arrested, rights group reports

A leading human rights monitoring organization reported on Monday that the death toll from ongoing protests in Iran has risen to at least 6,126, with more than 41,880 people arrested as of the 30th day of nationwide demonstrations. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 11,009 individuals have also sustained severe injuries since the unrest began.

Origins and Escalation of Protests

The protests erupted on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, initially driven by the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and deteriorating economic conditions. The demonstrations quickly spread to several other cities, evolving into broader anti-government rallies. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of backing what they describe as "armed rioters," who have carried out attacks in public spaces across the country.

International Reaction

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against using lethal force against protesters, threatening to "hit hard" if demonstrators were killed. More recently, he commended Tehran for reportedly canceling hundreds of scheduled executions. The protests represent one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s government in recent years, amid mounting economic pressure and widespread public discontent.