Iran Protests Result in At Least 5,000 Deaths Amid Government Crackdown

Iran has experienced nationwide protests since late December, resulting in a verified death toll of at least 5,000 people, including around 500 security personnel, according to an anonymous Iranian official. Rights groups report lower figures, with the Human Rights Activists News Agency confirming over 3,900 deaths and more than 24,000 arrests. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed foreign-backed 'terrorists and armed rioters' for the unrest, while the judiciary indicated possible executions of protesters. The protests, sparked by economic hardship, have been the deadliest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with reports also highlighting significant injuries and casualties among young people.