An unnamed Iranian official told Reuters on January 18, 2026, that authorities had "verified at least 5,000 people" had been killed in ongoing protests across Iran, including approximately 500 security personnel. The official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, attributed the deaths to "terrorists and armed rioters" and accused "Israel and armed groups abroad" of supporting the unrest. The official also noted that some of the heaviest clashes and highest number of deaths occurred in Iranian Kurdish areas in northwest Iran. However, this figure is significantly higher than those reported by independent human rights organizations. The U.S.-based HRANA rights group (Human Rights Activists News Agency) stated on January 17, 2026, that their verified death toll had reached 3,308, with an additional 4,382 cases still under review. HRANA also confirmed more than 24,000 arrests related to the protests. Separately, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) reported on January 14, 2026, a minimum of 3,428 protester deaths, noting that information from the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Health and Medical Education indicated 3,379 deaths registered between January 8 and 12 alone. Other reports, citing a network of Iranian doctors, have even suggested a toll as high as 16,500 to 18,000, characterizing the killings as a case of genocide. The protests, which commenced in late December 2025 over worsening economic conditions, quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations. These have been met with a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities, including a widespread internet shutdown that began on January 8, 2026, making further verification of casualty figures challenging. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised alarms over the unlawful use of lethal force by security forces against largely peaceful protesters.