Iran’s sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests last month is drawing sharp international attention, with fresh figures from a leading human rights organization suggesting the scale of violence may be far greater than officially acknowledged.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 7,002 people have been killed in the government’s response to the demonstrations. The group has also warned that the real number could be significantly higher.

That figure stands in stark contrast to the Iranian government’s official statement issued on January 21, which put the death toll at 3,117.

Conflicting Numbers, Growing Doubts

The wide gap between the official tally and independent estimates has intensified scrutiny. Iran has previously faced criticism for underreporting casualties during periods of unrest or delaying the release of accurate figures.

Independent verification has proven difficult. Communication disruptions—including internet shutdowns and restrictions on international phone services—have limited the ability of outside organizations and media outlets to assess the situation on the ground. The Associated Press, for example, has reported that it has been unable to independently confirm casualty numbers due to these communication barriers.

Human rights groups argue that such restrictions make it even harder to understand the true human cost of the crackdown.

A Sensitive Moment for Diplomacy

The updated casualty figures come at a particularly delicate time. Iran is currently engaged in discussions with the United States over its nuclear program. The talks are seen as crucial, but already complex and politically sensitive.

Now, allegations of widespread human rights violations are adding another layer of tension to the diplomatic environment.

While it remains unclear whether the negotiations will ultimately produce a renewed nuclear agreement, the timing of the report has inevitably raised questions about how these developments might affect the tone and direction of talks between Tehran and Western powers.

International Concern Mounts

Human rights advocates say the reported scale of the deaths underscores the seriousness of the situation inside Iran. Governments and international organizations are closely monitoring developments, balancing geopolitical interests with mounting concerns over civil liberties and state response to dissent.

For now, the true extent of the casualties remains contested. What is clear, however, is that the events of the past month have left deep scars—both domestically and diplomatically.

As nuclear negotiations continue, the shadow of the crackdown looms large, complicating an already fragile dialogue between Iran and the West.