An Iranian official told Reuters that nearly two thousand protesters and security personnel have been killed during protest rallies that have been ongoing in the country for two weeks. Opposition groups outside Iran claim the death toll is even higher. This was reported by podrobno.uz reports .
The official, who asked not to be named, blamed “terrorist groups” for the deaths of protesters and members of the security forces. According to the official stance, radical elements seized control of the protests and their actions were coordinated from abroad. The country’s leadership directly accused the United States and Israel of fueling unrest and supporting terrorism.
The protests, sparked by a severe economic situation, are being assessed as one of the biggest tests for Iran’s regime in at least the past three years. The developments are unfolding amid heightened international pressure following Israeli and U.S. strikes last year.
Analysts say Iran has previously experienced larger waves of protests. However, this time the demonstrations stand out because they come as economic problems have intensified and the country has become significantly weaker internally.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that 25% import tariffs would be imposed on goods from any country doing business with Iran. Tehran has not yet publicly responded to the statement, while China criticized the initiative. Most Iranian oil, under strict U.S. sanctions, is shipped to China; Turkey, Iraq, the UAE, and India are among Iran’s major trading partners.
As uncertainty around Iran grows, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said a government overthrow could be possible. According to him, “the regime’s last days and weeks” are now being seen, and a government trying to hold on to power through violence is effectively “nearing its end.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Merz’s criticism, accusing Berlin of hypocrisy and stressing that “hope for trust has been shattered.” He also previously contacted White House special envoy Steve Witkoff—against the backdrop of Trump’s threats to use military force against Iran’s regime.
At the same time, despite nationwide protests and years of external pressure, there is still no sign within the security apparatus of a split large enough to bring an end to the system that has been in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Officials are taking a two-track approach to the protests: discontent over economic problems is recognized as “legitimate,” but security measures are sharply tightened.
Communication restrictions, including internet shutdowns, are also hindering efforts to obtain reliable information about the situation. The UN human rights office said phone service has been restored, but Iran’s internet connectivity remains unstable.
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