Iran Protest Death Toll Hits 7,002, Activists Report

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Activists reported Thursday that the death toll from Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests last month has climbed to at least 7,002 people killed, with additional fatalities still feared amid ongoing communication blackouts inside the country.

The figure comes from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has tracked deaths accurately in prior Iranian unrest through a network of local activists. The tally has risen gradually as the group verifies reports, hampered by Iranian authorities' restrictions on internet access and international calls. Iran's government provided its sole official count on January 21, stating 3,117 deaths, a number lower than activist estimates and consistent with past instances where the regime has underreported casualties from demonstrations.

The protests, which erupted across Iran in recent weeks, stemmed from widespread dissent against the government's suppression of opposition. Anger continues to simmer domestically, particularly as families prepare to observe the traditional 40-day mourning period for the deceased, a ritual that could reignite public outrage.

This internal turmoil unfolds against a...