At least 36 people have been killed over the past 10 days as protests spread across Iran, according to a foreign-based human rights group, highlighting the growing human cost of the country’s deepening economic crisis.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said that 34 of those killed were protesters, while two were members of the security forces. However, Iranian authorities have not released an official death toll, though they acknowledge that at least three security personnel have died. BBC Persian has independently confirmed the identities of 20 of the victims so far.
Mass protests against the government have begun in Iran: Fierce fighting is taking place across the country, and there have already been fatalities. The reason is a record-breaking currency collapse: Prices for products have risen by 70% — social media.
Times of Ukraine pic.twitter.com/i8aCXTJcq4— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) January 2, 2026
The unrest, which has now reached 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces, began on 28 December when shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar took to the streets. They were reacting to another sharp drop in the value of the Iranian rial, which has hit record lows over the past year. Inflation has surged to around 40%, driven by heavy sanctions linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, as well as long-standing issues of mismanagement and corruption.
🔥🇮🇷A real bloodbath: Iran is gripped by mass protests against the authorities
It all began with a record collapse of the national currency and runaway inflation — food prices have surged by 60–70%.
Demonstrations in several provinces have escalated into violent clashes.… pic.twitter.com/P4JT4co87B
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 2, 2026
What started as economic anger quickly grew into wider demonstrations. University students joined in, and protests soon spread to cities across the country. Videos from Tehran showed security forces firing tear gas as crowds chanted slogans against Iran’s clerical leadership. HRANA reported that more than 60 protesters have been injured and over 2,000 arrested.
Tensions escalated further when Iranian media reported that a police officer was shot dead in Ilam province during clashes. Authorities have blamed “rioters” for the violence, while protesters accuse security forces of using excessive force.
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International reactions have added pressure. Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned of possible U.S. intervention if peaceful protesters were killed. At the same time, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to give in to what he called enemy pressure. The United Nations has urged restraint, calling for an end to the bloodshed and protection of civilians as the crisis continues to unfold.
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