Iran has been facing one of its biggest anti-government protest movements since December 28.
Over 2,000 people, including civilians and security personnel, were killed, and scores of others were wounded as anti-government protests in Iran entered its 17th day. The death toll is much higher than what is being reported by human rights agencies.
An Iranian official confirmed the death toll while speaking with an international news agency and blamed “terrorists” for the deaths.
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According to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 646 people have been killed in the Iranian regime’s crackdown on anti-government protesters till Monday.
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This included 133 members of military and law enforcement forces, who also lost their lives in the clashes.
In addition to this, 579 others were also feared dead, but this remained under review, the HRANA said.
The internet blockade and disruptions in communication services have exceeded 100 hours. Apart from mobile and broadband internet services, telephone calls and other communication services were also disrupted.
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Iran has been facing one of its biggest anti-government protests since December 28. The protests were initially triggered by falling Iranian currency and rising inflation, but soon turned into a massive uprising against the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led regime.
The protests have spread to over 600 locations across the country, in 187 cities, spanning all 31 provinces.
Iran has accused the US and Israel of provoking the protesters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi alleged that “terrorists” have infiltrated the protests in an attempt to invite foreign intervention.
The United States has warned Iran that it will intervene if the protesters are killed. US President Donald Trump has said that he is considering “some very strong options”.
“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination,” he told reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday.
He also claimed that the Iranian leadership has reached out to him seeking to negotiate and that a meeting is being set up.However, he added that the US may have to act before a meeting.
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