Iranian state television admitted on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic has suffered significant losses, referring to “many martyrs” amidst ongoing anti-government protests throughout the nation.
These protests have reportedly resulted in over 2,000 fatalities, according to various activist organizations. The Human Rights Defenders News Agency, based in the U.S., indicated that among the deceased, 1,847 were protesters and 135 were security personnel. Other sources suggest the actual toll could exceed 3,000, though the true number may be even higher.
As reported by the Associated Press, a broadcast from Iranian state television declared that “militant groups and terrorist organizations” had effectively departed the country, leaving “many martyrs to God.” The network also announced that funerals for “martyrs and security activists” who perished during the protests would be conducted on Wednesday.
The Iranian government has made efforts to quell the protests, which ignited in late December as shopkeepers and bazaar merchants voiced their discontent over rising inflation and the devaluation of the rial. This unrest quickly escalated to universities and other cities, where young people began to confront security forces.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning the killing of peaceful demonstrators and criticizing the labeling of protesters as “terrorists” to rationalize violent responses against them.
The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran has issued an urgent warning for American citizens still in the country to leave immediately.
President Trump, in a social media statement, urged Iranians to “take over” governmental institutions and declared he would halt all negotiations with the Iranian regime until the crackdown on the protests ceases.
In a strongly worded tweet, Trump encouraged Iranian patriots to keep protesting and to “save the names of murderers and abusers,” asserting they would face severe consequences for their actions.
He remarked: “We have canceled all discussions with Iranian officials until the senseless killings of protesters stop. Assistance is on the way.”
