Iran unrest: About 2,000, including security personnel, killed; Tehran blames ‘terrorists’

Around 2,000 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during ongoing protests in Iran, an Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, with authorities blaming what they described as “terrorists” for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. The official did not provide a detailed breakdown of civilian and security force casualties, but the toll reflects the intensity of unrest that have swept across several parts of the country.The comments mark one of the highest publicly acknowledged figures by an Iranian official since the protests began, now in its third week.The Iranian official said those killed included civilians as well as members of the security agencies, and accused armed groups and hostile actors of being responsible for much of the violence.Iranian authorities have repeatedly said that the protests, which initially erupted over economic instability, rising cost of living, social and political grievances, were later infiltrated by armed groups and foreign-backed elements. Officials have consistently rejected characterisations of the unrest as peaceful, saying security forces were responding to violent actions.The protests have posed one of the most sustained domestic challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years, prompting a heavy security response, arrests and internet restrictions. Independent verification of casualty figures has been difficult due to tight controls on information and limited access for international media and rights groups.International human rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of using excessive force against demonstrators – allegations Tehran has denied.Iran has blamed Western governments and regional rivals for fuelling the protests, US and Israel in particular. Calls from international bodies for restraint and independent investigations into the deaths have so far been dismissed by Tehran as interference in internal affairs.Meanwhile US President Donald Trump has threatened strikes on Iran if the Islamic Republic continues crackdown on protesters.