Iran’s Deadly Crackdown: Up to 30,000 Casualties from Protests

Reports indicate that Iranian security forces have killed as many as 30,000 people during a violent crackdown on nationwide protests on January 8 and 9, 2026. Two senior officials from the Ministry of Health shared this staggering figure with TIME Magazine, highlighting the scale of the regime’s response to dissent. The violence has overwhelmed the state’s capacity to manage the deceased, leading to a shortage of body bags and the use of trucks to transport victims instead of ambulances.

According to Dr. Amir Parasta, a German-Iranian eye surgeon, a separate tally compiled by medical professionals inside Iran recorded 30,304 deaths, excluding casualties at military hospitals and areas inaccessible to investigators. “We are getting closer to reality,” Dr. Parasta stated, adding that the true number of fatalities is likely even higher.

The brutality of the crackdown has drawn comparisons to historical atrocities. Les Roberts, a professor at Columbia University who specializes in violent deaths, referenced the 1941 Nazi massacre at Babyn Yar, where 33,000 Ukrainian Jews were executed in two days, as a rare parallel to the scale of recent events in Iran.

The protests, now entering their 28th day, have resulted in 5,459 confirmed deaths, with over 40,887 arrests and 7,403 severe injuries reported. Despite the ongoing turmoil, the Iranian government maintains an official death toll of 3,117.

International Response and Human Rights Concerns

The United Nations has expressed alarm over the situation. Special Rapporteur Mai Sato noted on January 22 that civilian deaths could surpass 20,000 based on reports from medical personnel within Iran. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the United States, confirmed 5,459 deaths while stating that an additional 17,031 deaths are still under investigation.

Reports indicate that between 330,000 and 360,000 injuries have been documented, with Dr. Parasta revealing that military-grade weapons were employed against protesters. Disturbingly, he mentioned that 700 to 1,000 protesters have lost an eye due to the violence.

In a recent statement, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei acknowledged “several thousand” deaths but attributed the unrest to external influences, specifically blaming former President Donald Trump and labeling the protesters as “foot-soldiers of the United States.”

The tragic story of Sahba Rashtian, a 23-year-old aspiring animator, underscores the human toll of the violence. She was shot before she could join the protests, and her father mourned her loss at her burial, stating, “My daughter became a martyr on the path to freedom.”

As the Iranian government continues to suppress dissent through internet shutdowns and increasing repression, the international community remains watchful, calling for accountability and justice for those affected by this brutal crackdown.