ran on Wednesday released its first official death toll from recent nationwide protests, saying 3,117 people were killed during unrest it described as “foreign-backed acts of terrorism.”
Authorities said 2,427 of the dead, including civilians and members of the security forces, qualified as “martyrs.” Iranian officials framed the deaths as the result of violent attacks rather than peaceful demonstrations.
The protests began on January 8, triggered by economic grievances, but quickly grew into a broader movement against the political system in place since the 1979 revolution. Large crowds filled streets across multiple cities for several days, with demonstrations and strikes spreading nationwide.
Activists say the protests have since subsided after a sweeping security crackdown and a near-total internet shutdown that restricted communication and coordination.
Iranian government announces official death toll from nationwide protests
◼️ 3,117 people killed, with 2,427 security personnel
◼️ US, several European countries imposed new round of sanctions on Iran for ‘crackdown on protesters’https://t.co/eE2HNC2lSS pic.twitter.com/cxnB8rD3ib
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 21, 2026Government blames foreign influence
Iranian officials have repeatedly labelled the protests as riots driven by outside forces, particularly the United States. A statement from Iran’s foundation for veterans and martyrs, aired on state television, presented the official casualty figures.
The same figures appeared in a post by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on X, which accused foreign-backed groups of orchestrating the unrest.
Iran's Forensic Medicine Organization:
In recent foreign-backed acts of terrorism 3117 people lost their lives including civilians and security forces.
Some 2,427 Iranians have been declared as martyrs in terror attacks pic.twitter.com/RMKMy7aQSa
— Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran- Islamabad (@IraninIslamabad) January 21, 2026Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council of Iran, said 690 of those killed were “terrorists, rioters, and individuals who attacked military sites.” He claimed the high number of declared martyrs showed restraint by security forces.
Damage shown as authorities tighten control
To highlight destruction linked to the protests, Tehran’s municipal authorities escorted journalists through a bus depot on Wednesday. Officials pointed to around a dozen burned buses as evidence of violence during the unrest.
One of the most prominent opposition figures linked to the protests was Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran’s last shah. He urged supporters to stage nightly demonstrations and said he was prepared to return to Iran.
In a rare written interview with AFP, his mother, former empress Farah Pahlavi, said there was “no turning back” after the wave of protests.
US President Donald Trump has not ruled out military action in response to the crackdown, though expectations of immediate US intervention have eased.
Iranian armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that Iran would retaliate if Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were targeted.
In an interview with News Nation, Trump said he had issued firm instructions and warned of severe consequences if violence escalated further.
