TEHRAN: Iran has released its first official death toll following a sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests. The figures came on Wednesday and sharply undercut claims by human rights groups abroad.
State television aired statements from the Interior Ministry and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. The foundation is a government body that supports families of those killed in wars and unrest.
According to the statements, 3,117 people were killed during the protests.
Officials said 2,427 of the dead were civilians and members of the security forces. They offered no explanation for the remaining deaths.
Rights groups quickly disputed the figures.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said early Thursday that at least 4,902 people have been killed. It warned that the true toll could be far higher.
The group said it verifies deaths through a network of activists inside Iran. It added that its figures have proven accurate in past waves of unrest.
Reports say Iranian authorities have shut down or restricted internet services nationwide. International phone calls remain blocked.
The restrictions have made independent verification from outside Iran extremely difficult. Authorities have also imposed tight limits on local media reporting.
State media has repeatedly labeled protesters as “rioters.” It has accused them of acting on the orders of the United States and Israel. Officials have provided no evidence to support the claims.
The reported death toll is higher than in any protest or unrest in Iran in recent decades. Observers say it recalls the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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No major protests have been reported in recent days. However, analysts warn the death toll could rise sharply as more information emerges.
