Nationwide protests in Iran, which began in late December 2025, have turned increasingly deadly, with human rights organizations reporting a staggering death toll exceeding 2,500 people. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) stated that at least 2,571 individuals, predominantly protesters, had been killed as of early Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This figure marks the highest number of casualties in any period of unrest in Iran in recent decades, drawing comparisons to the chaos of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The protests, initially fueled by Iran's deteriorating economy, rising prices, and high inflation, have rapidly escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations challenging the ruling theocracy and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iranian authorities have implemented a severe crackdown, employing lethal force against demonstrators and imposing extensive communication blackouts. While a partial easing of restrictions allowed some Iranians to make outbound international phone calls on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, other vital communication channels, including SMS text messaging and broader internet access, remain largely cut off. NetBlocks indicated national connectivity levels were at approximately one percent of normal, effectively isolating the country. The Iranian judiciary has vowed to expedite trials for arrested protesters, with warnings from the US President Donald Trump against potential executions. International pressure is mounting, with numerous countries and the UN urging restraint and condemning the violent suppression of dissent.