Iranian state media has formally acknowledged a death toll of 3,117 individuals during widespread civil disturbances that occurred between December 2025 and January 2026. The official count, released by the Forensic Medical Organization through IRIB state television, represents the first specific mortality figure provided by authorities since economic protests erupted across numerous Iranian cities.
According to the official breakdown, 2,427 of the deceased were characterized as “innocent civilians and security forces.” This confirmation follows previous vague references to “several thousand” casualties by government officials. The reported numbers contrast with estimates from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which had projected approximately 4,560 fatalities—a figure lacking independent verification.
Parallel damage assessments from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency detailed substantial destruction of public infrastructure, including over 460 government buildings damaged or destroyed, more than 700 banking institutions attacked, and nearly 480 mosques targeted during the unrest.
The initial demonstrations emerged peacefully in response to severe currency devaluation of the rial before escalating into violent confrontations. Iranian authorities acknowledged economic grievances while simultaneously attributing the violence to foreign intervention. In commentary published by the Wall Street Journal, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi asserted that the “violent phase of the unrest lasted less than 72 hours” before security forces restored order.
Minister Araghchi further contended that United States policy positions provided incentives for actors pursuing a “maximum bloodshed” strategy. While emphasizing Iran’s preference for peaceful resolution, the Foreign Minister issued a stark warning that Iran’s armed forces would respond decisively to any new attacks, contrasting this position with what he described as previous “restraint” demonstrated in June 2025.