Tehran, 13 January 2026 – The death toll from the violent crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran has risen to at least 648, according to Norway-based human rights organisation Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO). The group confirmed the fatalities on Monday, marking the sixteenth consecutive day of intense demonstrations across the country.
Among the deceased are at least nine children under the age of 18, with thousands more reportedly injured in clashes with security forces. Previously, the U.S.-based organisation HRANA had reported 544 deaths.
The precise number of casualties remains difficult to verify due to nationwide internet shutdowns, but footage from hospitals and morgues in Tehran shows harrowing scenes of piled bodies, reflecting the scale of the crisis.
Table: Reported Casualties in Iran Protests
| Category | Number Reported |
|---|---|
| Total deaths | 648 |
| Children (<18 years) | 9 |
| Injured | Thousands |
The international community has strongly condemned Iran’s bloody suppression. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged, via social media platform X, an immediate halt to the violence against peaceful demonstrators and called on the Iranian government to respect fundamental rights and freedoms.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with the protesters, emphasising that the right to basic freedoms is universal and vowing support for those defending these rights. Earlier, Macron had joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a joint statement denouncing the killings.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning to the West. Speaking to the British foreign secretary by phone, Araghchi demanded that the United Kingdom cease interference in Iran’s internal affairs. He accused Israel-backed “terrorist” media outlets of inciting violence in the country and warned that, should the British government fail to secure Iranian diplomatic missions in London, Tehran would be forced to evacuate its personnel. Araghchi asserted that Western support for the protesters constitutes an infringement on Iran’s sovereignty.
The unrest, which began on 28 December in Tehran markets over economic hardship and soaring inflation, has now evolved into a broader political uprising. The situation further escalated last Thursday after Reza Pahlavi, son of the last exiled Shah, called for stronger action against the regime.
Protesters—largely young Iranians—are demanding an end to mismanagement and the collapse of the rial, while advocating systemic change. Human rights groups warn that, unless the government adopts a conciliatory approach, the death toll is likely to rise sharply in the coming days.