Iran’s nationwide anti-government protests have killed at least 2,571 people, according to updated figures from a U.S.-based rights group, as unrest continues to pose one of the most serious challenges to the country’s clerical leadership in years.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Wednesday it had verified the deaths of 2,571 people, including 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 people under the age of 18 and nine non-protester civilians.
The group also reported that more than 18,000 people had been detained since demonstrations began more than two weeks ago.
Iranian officials on Tuesday said about 2,000 people had been killed, marking the first time authorities had provided an overall death toll from the unrest, though they did not offer a detailed breakdown of casualties.
Tehran has blamed what it describes as “terrorist operatives” receiving foreign guidance for the violence and accused the United States and Israel of fuelling the unrest.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iranians to continue protesting and to remember those responsible for the violence, saying they would eventually “pay a very big price”.
In a post on Truth Social, he told Iranians to “keep protesting” and “take over your institutions”, adding that “help is on its way”, without explaining what form that help might take.
Trump said he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until what he described as the “senseless killing” of protesters stopped. Asked later what he meant by his remarks, he declined to give details, saying reporters would “have to figure that out”. He has previously said military action is among the options he is weighing in response to the crackdown.
“The killing looks like it’s significant, but we don’t know yet for certain,” Trump said upon returning to the Washington area from Detroit, adding he would receive a report later on the protests. “We’ll act accordingly,” he said.
Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani responded by accusing the U.S. president of inciting violence and threatening Iran’s sovereignty and security.
In a letter to the U.N. Security Council, he said the United States and Israel bore “direct and undeniable legal responsibility” for the loss of civilian lives.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said earlier this week that Tehran had continued communications with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and was reviewing proposals from Washington, even as tensions escalated.
The protests, triggered by severe economic hardship, have become the most significant internal challenge to Iran’s rulers in at least three years.
Internet access remains heavily restricted, making independent verification difficult and limiting the flow of information from inside the country.
The U.S. State Department has urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately, including by land through Türkiye or Armenia, as the situation continues to deteriorate.
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Counting is underway in Armenia’s parliamentary elections, with the results of the vote set to determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone.
Sirens rang out across multiple areas of Israel on Sunday night after missiles were launched from Iran towards the country, the Israeli military said. Earlier, Tehran's top negotiator in talks with the U.S. threatened to target Israeli and American assets in the region, after Israel struck Beirut.
For about three decades after the Soviet collapse, Armenia anchored its foreign and security policy to Moscow.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
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