Protesters take part in an illustration supporting protesters in Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 in Zuerich, Switzerland. AP-Yonhap
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The loss of life toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 2,500, activists stated, as Iranians made telephone calls overseas for the primary time in days Tuesday after authorities severed communications throughout a crackdown on demonstrators.
The variety of useless climbed to at the very least 2,571 early Wednesday, as reported by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists Information Company. That determine dwarfs the loss of life toll from some other spherical of protest or unrest in Iran in a long time and remembers the chaos surrounding the nation’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state tv provided the primary official acknowledgment of the deaths, quoting an official saying the nation had “quite a lot of martyrs.”
The demonstrations started in late December in anger over Iran’s ailing economic system and shortly focused the theocracy, notably 86-year-old Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pictures obtained Tuesday by The Related Press from demonstrations in Tehran confirmed graffiti and chants calling for Khamenei’s loss of life — one thing that might carry a loss of life sentence.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters whereas in flight on Air Power One to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, Jan. 11. AP-Yonhap
Because the reported toll grew Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Fact Social platform : “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!”
He added: “I’ve canceled all conferences with Iranian Officers till the mindless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
Nonetheless, hours later, Trump informed reporters that his administration was awaiting an correct report on the variety of protesters that had been killed earlier than performing “accordingly.”
Trump stated in regards to the Iranian safety forces: “It will appear to me that they’ve been badly misbehaving, however that isn’t confirmed.”
Iranian officers as soon as once more warned Trump in opposition to taking motion, with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Nationwide Safety Council, responding to U.S. posturing by writing: “We declare the names of the primary killers of the individuals of Iran: 1- Trump 2-” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The activist group stated 2,403 of the useless had been protesters and 147 had been government-affiliated. Twelve kids had been killed, together with 9 civilians it stated weren’t participating in protests. Greater than 18,100 individuals have been detained, the group stated.
Gauging the demonstrations from overseas has grown tougher, and the AP has been unable to independently assess the toll.
Skylar Thompson with the Human Rights Activists Information Company informed AP the brand new toll was surprising, notably because it reached 4 occasions the loss of life toll of the monthslong 2022 Mahsa Amini protests in simply two weeks.
She warned that the toll would nonetheless rise: “We’re horrified, however we nonetheless assume the quantity is conservative.”
On this picture obtained by The Related Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9. AP-Yonhap
Talking by telephone for the primary time since their calls had been lower off from the surface world, Iranian witnesses described a heavy safety presence in central Tehran, burned-out authorities buildings, smashed ATMs and few passersby. In the meantime, individuals had been involved about what comes subsequent, together with the opportunity of a U.S. assault.
“My clients discuss Trump’s response whereas questioning if he plans a army strike in opposition to the Islamic Republic,” stated shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave solely his first title out of concern for his security. “I don’t anticipate Trump or some other international nation cares in regards to the pursuits of Iranians.”
Reza, a taxi driver who additionally gave simply his first title, stated protests are on many individuals’s minds. “Individuals — notably younger ones — are hopeless, however they discuss persevering with the protests,” he stated.
A number of individuals in Tehran had been capable of name the AP on Tuesday and communicate to a journalist. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to name these numbers again. Witnesses stated textual content messaging was nonetheless down, and web customers in Iran may hook up with government-approved web sites regionally however nothing overseas .
The witnesses, who spoke on situation of anonymity for concern of reprisal, stated police stood at main intersections and safety officers in plainclothes had been seen in public areas. Anti-riot cops wore helmets and physique armor whereas carrying batons, shields, shotguns and tear gasoline launchers, they stated.
A number of banks and authorities workplaces had been burned through the unrest, the witnesses stated. Retailers had been open Tuesday, although there was little foot site visitors within the capital.
On the streets, individuals additionally could possibly be seen difficult plainclothes safety officers, who had been stopping passersby at random.
State tv additionally learn an announcement about mortuary and morgue providers being free — a sign that some doubtless charged excessive charges for the discharge of our bodies through the crackdown.
Safety service personnel additionally apparently had been looking for Starlink satellite tv for pc web terminals, as individuals in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding condominium buildings with satellite tv for pc dishes. Whereas satellite tv for pc tv dishes are unlawful, many within the capital have them in properties, and officers broadly had given up on imposing the regulation in recent times.
Activists stated Wednesday that Starlink was providing free service in Iran.
“We are able to affirm that the free subscription for Starlink terminals is totally useful,” Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who has helped get the models into Iran, informed The Related Press in an announcement. “We examined it utilizing a newly activated Starlink terminal inside Iran.”
