Iran protest crackdown death toll rises to 2,571, activists say

The death toll from Iran’s ongoing crackdown on protests has risen to at least 2,571, activists said early Wednesday.

The figures were released by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has previously provided reliable data during periods of unrest in Iran.

According to the group, 2,403 of those killed were protesters, while 147 were linked to government forces. The fatalities include 12 children and nine civilians who were reportedly not involved in demonstrations. The agency also said more than 18,100 people have been detained.

With internet services largely shut down across Iran, assessing the scale of the protests from outside the country has become increasingly difficult. The Associated Press said it has not been able to independently verify the figures, and Iranian authorities have not issued any comprehensive casualty data.

Activists said the reported toll surpasses fatalities recorded during any other episode of protests or unrest in Iran in recent decades, drawing comparisons to the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.