The death toll from a crackdown on protests in Iran jumps to at least
2,571, activists say
[January 14, 2026]
By JON GAMBRELL
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The death toll from nationwide
protests in Iran has surpassed 2,500, activists said, as Iranians made
phone calls abroad for the first time in days Tuesday after authorities
severed communications during a crackdown on demonstrators.
The number of dead climbed to at least 2,571 early Wednesday, as
reported by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. That
figure dwarfs the death toll from any other round of protest or unrest
in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979
Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state television offered the first official acknowledgment of
the deaths, quoting an official saying the country had “a lot of
martyrs.”
The demonstrations began in late December in anger over Iran’s ailing
economy and soon targeted the theocracy, particularly 86-year-old
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Images obtained Tuesday by The
Associated Press from demonstrations in Tehran showed graffiti and
chants calling for Khamenei's death — something that could carry a death
sentence.
As the reported toll grew Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on
his Truth Social platform: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE
OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!”
He added: “I have canceled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the
senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
However, hours later, Trump told reporters that his administration was
awaiting an accurate report on the number of protesters that had been
killed before acting “accordingly.”
Trump said about the Iranian security forces: “It would seem to me that
they have been badly misbehaving, but that is not confirmed.”
Iranian officials once again warned Trump against taking action, with
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council,
responding to U.S. posturing by writing: “We declare the names of the
main killers of the people of Iran: 1- Trump 2-” Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu.
Death toll spikes
The activist group said 2,403 of the dead were protesters and 147 were
government-affiliated. Twelve children were killed, along with nine
civilians it said were not taking part in protests. More than 18,100
people have been detained, the group said.
Gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult, and the
AP has been unable to independently assess the toll.
Skylar Thompson with the Human Rights Activists News Agency told AP the
new toll was shocking, particularly since it reached four times the
death toll of the monthslong 2022 Mahsa Amini protests in just two
weeks.
She warned that the toll would still rise: “We’re horrified, but we
still think the number is conservative."
Speaking by phone for the first time since their calls were cut off from
the outside world, Iranian witnesses described a heavy security presence
in central Tehran, burned-out government buildings, smashed ATMs and few
passersby. Meanwhile, people were concerned about what comes next,
including the possibility of a U.S. attack.
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In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an
anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (UGC
via AP)
“My customers talk about Trump’s reaction while wondering if he
plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic,” said
shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave only his first name out of concern for
his safety. “I don’t expect Trump or any other foreign country cares
about the interests of Iranians.”
Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests
are on many people's minds. “People — particularly young ones — are
hopeless, but they talk about continuing the protests,” he said.
Iranians reach out, but world can't reach in
Several people in Tehran were able to call the AP on Tuesday and
speak to a journalist. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
was unable to call those numbers back. Witnesses said text messaging
was still down, and internet users in Iran could connect to
government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad.
The witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of
reprisal, said police stood at major intersections and security
officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces. Anti-riot
police officers wore helmets and body armor while carrying batons,
shields, shotguns and tear gas launchers, they said.
Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest,
the witnesses said. Shops were open Tuesday, though there was little
foot traffic in the capital.
On the streets, people also could be seen challenging plainclothes
security officials, who were stopping passersby at random.
State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue
services being free — a signal that some likely charged high fees
for the release of bodies during the crackdown.
Security service personnel also apparently were searching for
Starlink satellite internet terminals, as people in northern Tehran
reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite
dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the
capital have them in homes, and officials broadly had given up on
enforcing the law in recent years.
Activists said Wednesday that Starlink was offering free service in
Iran.
“We can confirm that the free subscription for Starlink terminals is
fully functional,” Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist
who has helped get the units into Iran, told The Associated Press in
a statement. “We tested it using a newly activated Starlink terminal
inside Iran.”
Starlink itself did not immediately acknowledge the decision.
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