Thousands Feared Dead in Iran Protest Crackdown as Rights Group Disputes Official Toll

At least 6,159 people have been killed in Iran during a nationwide crackdown on protests, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The organization warned that the actual death toll could be even higher, as reports from several regions are still being verified.

HRANA stated that it confirms each death through a network of activists operating inside Iran. The group has previously earned credibility for the accuracy of its data during past episodes of unrest. Its findings, however, stand in sharp contrast to the figures released by the Iranian government.

Iranian authorities have acknowledged a significantly lower death toll of 3,117. According to official statements, 2,427 of those killed were civilians and members of the security forces, while the remaining victims were labeled as “terrorists.” The government has not provided detailed, independently verifiable breakdowns of these figures.

Human rights organizations note that Iranian authorities have a history of downplaying casualty numbers or withholding information during periods of large-scale unrest. This pattern has raised persistent concerns among international observers about transparency and accountability.

As conflicting figures continue to emerge, the true scale of the violence remains unclear. Rights groups are calling for independent investigations, warning that without transparency, thousands of deaths risk going unacknowledged amid one of the most severe crackdowns Iran has witnessed in recent years.