Thursday, February 5, 2026-New figures from human rights groups tracking the brutal crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran indicate the number of people killed has surged to levels rarely seen in recent history, spotlighting an urgent humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least around 6,800 deaths have been verified, with more than 11,000 additional suspected fatalities currently under investigation as researchers attempt to cross‑check reports from families, hospitals, and other sources amid severe information restrictions inside Iran. This massive toll primarily reflects protesters killed by security forces during demonstrations that began in late 2025 and spread across the country, making it one of the deadliest protest crackdowns in decades.
The Iranian government’s own official count remains much lower, reporting around 3,117 deaths, a figure that starkly contrasts with independent tallies and has been met with skepticism from rights advocates and international observers.
The ongoing internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities has severely hampered verification efforts, slowing the flow of information and complicating efforts to document the true scale of the violence. Experts tracking the crisis warn that as verification continues, the confirmed toll is likely to rise further, and the geographic spread suggests the repression was not confined to isolated hotspots but was simultaneously widespread across provinces.
International commentators and analysts draw parallels between Iran’s recent repression and other historical crackdowns, noting both the intensity and rapidity of the violence. Compared to earlier protest movements in Iran and elsewhere, this crackdown is distinguished by its nationwide scope and the direct use of lethal force against civilians, prompting calls from human rights advocates for independent investigations and accountability measures.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of arrests have also been reported, deepening concerns about the country’s direction and the long‑term implications for civil liberties and political stability in Iran.
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