Death Toll from Iran Unrest Hits 3,117

(MENAFN) Iran's state broadcaster disclosed Wednesday that 3,117 individuals perished during the recent wave of civil unrest, according to data from the nation's Forensic Medical Organization.

This marks the first time Iranian authorities have released a specific fatality figure since mass demonstrations ignited in late December. Previous official statements acknowledged "several thousand" deaths without quantifying the toll precisely. The broadcast indicated that 2,427 of the deceased were characterized as "innocent civilians and security forces."

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has calculated the death count at 4,560, though independent confirmation of this estimate remains unavailable.

In a separate disclosure, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that over 460 government facilities sustained damage or were incinerated during the demonstrations, while more than 700 banking institutions faced attacks or arson. The agency further noted that upwards of 480 mosques became targets of violence.

The unrest erupted across numerous Iranian cities in late December after the rial experienced dramatic currency devaluation. Authorities recognized the demonstrations occurred and expressed readiness to tackle economic complaints, though they cautioned against destructive and violent behavior.

Initially peaceful gatherings deteriorated into violent clashes, producing fatalities and extensive destruction to public infrastructure, religious sites, government properties, and financial institutions, with particularly severe incidents occurring on Jan. 8 and 9. Iranian officials have attributed the violence to the United States and Israel.

In a commentary piece published Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated the "violent phase of the unrest lasted less than 72 hours" before security forces brought the protests under control.

He added that U.S. threats against Iran "gave plotters an incentive" to pursue what he described as a strategy of "maximum bloodshed."

Araghchi also said that while Iran "will always choose peace over war," if the country faced new attacks, "our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have," citing a contrast with the "restraint" Iran showed in June 2025.

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