At least 35 people have died in Iran amid ongoing protests that have spread across much of the country, according to activists tracking the unrest.
The demonstrations, now more than a week old, show no signs of easing. Rights groups say arrests are rising and violence has increased on both sides.
The figures were shared by Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based organisation that monitors human rights conditions in Iran. The group has relied on sources inside the country and has provided reliable data during past periods of unrest.
What we know about the casualties and arrests
Activists say those killed include 29 protesters, four children and two members of the security forces. More than 1,200 people have been detained so far.
Protests have been reported in over 250 locations, spanning 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces. The scale makes it one of the largest waves of unrest since 2022.
Iranian state-linked media has given a different picture. Fars news agency reported that around 250 police officers and 45 members of the Basij volunteer force were injured during clashes.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that those involved should be dealt with firmly.
Why the protests matter beyond Iran
The growing death toll has attracted international attention. US President Donald Trump warned Tehran last week against the use of deadly force on demonstrators. His remarks triggered sharp responses from Iranian officials, who threatened retaliation against US forces in the region.
While it remains unclear if Washington plans to act, the comments gained added weight after the US military captured Venezuela’s president over the weekend. Tehran considers Caracas a close ally.
The protests are the most significant since the 2022 demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. However, activists say the current movement has not yet reached the same intensity or scale.
Economic pressure appears to be a key driver. Iran’s currency collapsed in December after fresh sanctions and the impact of a short conflict with Israel, deepening public anger.
Assessing the true size of the protests remains difficult. There is limited coverage by state media. The travel of journalists is subject to strict controls, and they are at risk of arrest. There is only a brief, unverified glimpse of events on the ground in online videos.
However, unrest persists.