Iran Protest Death Toll Estimated Up to 20,000... "Khamenei Ordered to Open Fire"

Overseas Groups: "Coerced Confessions and Torture Without Due Process"
Iranian State Broadcaster Also Admits to "Many Martyrs"

The number of deaths from protests against Iran's economic crisis is rapidly increasing, with some estimates suggesting as many as 20,000 people have died. Claims have emerged that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei ordered security forces to open fire, and as authorities intensify their crackdown, concerns over human rights violations during judicial procedures continue to grow.

According to the Associated Press on the 13th (local time), the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that the protests have continued for 17 days as of this date, with approximately 2,003 deaths recorded. Of these, 1,850 were protesters and 135 were members of the military, police, and other government forces.

Iranians are attending an anti-government protest held on the 8th (local time) in the capital city of Tehran. Photo by AP News Agency

The organization also stated that nine children and nine civilians not involved in the protests have died, and more than 16,700 people have been detained.

The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights (IHR) estimated that 734 protesters have died and thousands more have been injured. According to unconfirmed information obtained by IHR, the death toll could reach as high as 6,000.

IHR reported that just in the forensic facilities of the central Isfahan region, there are as many as 1,600 protest-related deaths registered, noting that "a significant number of the deceased are under the age of 30." Some victims were reportedly struck by both live and pellet ammunition.

IHR also pointed out that Iranian state television is broadcasting confession videos of detained protesters, stating, "Airing confessions obtained through coercion and torture before judicial procedures violates the right to the presumption of innocence." The risk of executions through summary trials is also said to be severe.

The London-based opposition media outlet Iran International reported that "the largest massacre in modern Iranian history took place over two days on the 8th and 9th, with at least 12,000 people killed." The outlet estimated that most of the deaths resulted from gunfire by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the affiliated Basij militia, both of which protect Iran's theocratic regime.

Additionally, information obtained from the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and the presidential office indicated that the order to open fire was given directly by Supreme Leader Khamenei, with the approval of the heads of the three branches of government.

Although these reports have not been independently verified, there is growing weight to the possibility that the protests have indeed resulted in a large number of casualties.

According to Reuters, an Iranian official stated that the protest death toll is around 2,000, attributing the deaths to "terrorists."

US broadcaster CBS, citing sources inside Iran, reported that at least 12,000 and possibly up to 20,000 people have died.

The Associated Press also reported that Iranian state television acknowledged for the first time that "many martyrs have resulted from armed and terrorist groups," admitting to a significant number of deaths from the protests.

Eyewitnesses told the Associated Press that large security forces have been deployed in central Tehran, government buildings have been set on fire, and there are almost no pedestrians on the streets. Riot police, equipped with helmets and bulletproof vests, are armed with batons, shields, shotguns, and tear gas launchers. They are stationed at major intersections, standing guard. Nearby, Basij militia members carrying firearms and batons, as well as plainclothes security personnel, have also been seen.

Authorities have begun cracking down on Starlink terminals. In northern Tehran, there have been reports of authorities raiding apartments with satellite dishes to search for Starlink devices. As anti-government protests intensified, Iranian authorities cut off internet and communications, and some Iranian citizens have used Starlink to communicate with the outside world.

Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, commented on the situation in Iran, saying, "The vicious cycle of horrific violence must not continue," and urged, "The demands of the Iranian people for fairness, equality, and justice must be heard," according to AFP.

Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for Turk, cited UN sources in Iran and reported that the death toll stands at several hundred.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced that they are discussing additional sanctions against Iran. Politico Europe reported that designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization is under consideration.

The foreign ministries of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, and Italy summoned the Iranian ambassadors in their respective countries to protest the violent crackdown.

Yvette Cooper, the UK's Secretary of State for the Home Department, condemned the Iranian authorities' violent suppression of anti-government protesters and announced additional sanctions targeting the financial, energy, transportation, software, and other key industries.

US President Donald Trump, on his social media platform Truth Social, urged, "Patriots of Iran, keep protesting. Occupy your (government) institutions," and declared, "I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the indiscriminate killing of protesters stops."

Meanwhile, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement strongly condemning "external destructive interference in Iran's internal political processes."