Iran Protests Death Toll Hits 5,000 According to Official

An unnamed Iranian official said on January 18 that authorities had confirmed at least 5,000 deaths in protests across the country, including about 500 security personnel. The official blamed «terrorists and armed rioters» for the killings.

The official told Reuters that some of the fiercest clashes and the highest death tolls were in Kurdish areas in northwest Iran, where Kurdish separatists have been active and unrest has previously been intense. He said the final death toll was not expected to rise sharply and claimed that «Israel and armed groups abroad» had supported and armed the protesters.

Iranian authorities often blame foreign enemies, including Israel, for unrest. Israel carried out military strikes on Iran in June.

The U.S.-based HRANA rights group said on January 17 that the death toll had reached 3,308, with another 4,382 cases under review. The group also said it had confirmed more than 24,000 arrests.

The Norway-based Iranian Kurdish rights group Hengaw said Kurdish regions in the northwest faced heavy security measures during protests in late December.

Kursiv also reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Iran needs new leadership.