Thousands have died in Iran following protests that began in late December 2025, as demonstrations against the government’s policies and decades of repression continue to escalate. The unrest, sparked by a collapse of the Iranian currency, has led to a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities, with reports of mass killings and widespread injuries.
The protests initially erupted on December 28, 2025, with citizens across the country demanding fundamental change and a political system that respects human rights and dignity. Authorities responded by cutting off all internet access on January 8, 2026, in an attempt to conceal their actions, according to reports from Amnesty International.
Security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its Basij battalions, and various divisions of Iran’s police force (FARAJA), as well as plain-clothes agents, have used unlawful force, including firearms and metal pellet-loaded shotguns, against protesters. Eyewitness accounts and verified videos show security forces repeatedly targeting protesters’ heads and torsos. The crackdown reached a deadly peak on January 8 and 9, with the death toll rising into the thousands.
According to reports from RTL.nl, at least 7,000 people have died in the protests. This marks the deadliest period of repression by Iranian authorities in decades, according to Amnesty International.
The current wave of violence follows previous crackdowns on protests, including the suppression of the Woman Life Freedom uprising of 2022 and the nationwide November 2019 protests. Impunity for past crimes committed by Iranian authorities is believed to have fueled the latest escalation. The situation underscores a long-standing pattern of state repression and a lack of accountability within Iran, raising concerns about the potential for further instability in the region.
The protests began after a sharp collapse of Iran’s currency, exacerbating soaring inflation and worsening living conditions. NU reports that a sense of desperation has gripped the country in the wake of the bloodshed, with some citizens expressing a desire for even more drastic measures.
De Telegraaf as well reports that tensions between Iran and the United States are increasing during these crucial negotiations.
De Standaard highlights the human cost of the conflict, sharing the stories of those who have lost their lives in the protests.
The developments in Iran are being closely watched internationally, with concerns that the unrest could have wider regional implications. RD.nl warns that what is happening in Iran could also take hold in the free West.
