Iran releases list of nearly 3,000 killed in recent anti-Khamenei protests
The office of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has released a list naming 2,986 people killed during recent unrest in the country.
Seoul: The office of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has released a list naming 2,986 people killed during recent unrest in the country. In a statement posted on its website on Sunday (local time), the president’s office said the list, which includes both civilians and security personnel, was compiled from data provided by the Iranian Legal Medicine Organisation at Pezeshkian’s order. The office said the total death toll stands at 3,117, meaning 131 victims remain unidentified.
It pledged to release a supplementary list once the identities are established, reports Xinhua news agency. The statement emphasised a commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that all victims were children of Iran and pledging that no bereaved family would be left unheard. Weeks of protests over the sharp depreciation of the rial swept cities across Iran from late December to January.
Initially peaceful, the demonstrations escalated into clashes that caused casualties and damage to public property, including mosques, government buildings, and banks. Tehran has blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel. Iran’s Army Chief Amir Hatami last week warned that if the United States makes any mistake, it will definitely jeopardise its own security and that of Israel and the entire West Asia region, according to the official news agency IRNA.
Speaking at a national festival in Tehran, Hatami emphasised the Iranian armed forces’ readiness amid escalating tensions with Washington. “Today, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are in complete defence and military readiness and closely monitoring the enemy’s movements in the region. We have our finger on the trigger,” he said. He added that “If the enemy makes any mistake, it will undoubtedly jeopardise its own security and that of Israel and the region.”
He also welcomed neighbouring countries’ announcements that they will not allow their territory or airspace to be used against Iran, noting these countries “know any insecurity against Iran will make the entire region insecure.” Hatami emphasised that if the other side is willing to resolve the problem, it should treat the Iranian nation with respect.
The warning came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump earlier said that a “massive armada,” led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, is heading towards Iran, warning that “time is running out” for Tehran to reach a deal with the United States.
Meanwhile, Trump said on Sunday that if Tehran fails to strike a nuclear deal with Washington, “we will find out” whether Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was right to warn that a US attack could ignite a regional war. Khamenei said at a meeting in Tehran earlier on Sunday that if the United States starts a war against Iran, “it will be a regional war.”
