2,400+ Dead: Tracking the Iran Protest Death Toll 2026 Amid Brutal Crackdown

"I carried my wife's body for an hour and a half." These are the words of Reza, a man who lost his wife, Maryam, to a mystery bullet while walking home from a protest in Tehran. According to BBC Persian, Maryam's story is just one of thousands currently emerging from Iran as the state responds to nationwide demonstrations with lethal force.

The Iran Protest Death Toll 2026: Confirmed Data

The US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports it has confirmed the killing of at least 2,400 protesters, including 12 children, over the past three weeks. The true scale remains obscured due to a near-total internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities on Thursday night. Human rights groups and international media are currently denied direct access to the country.

While activists report mass casualties, state-run media portrays a different narrative. Local outlets have reported that 100 security personnel have been killed. The government has labeled protesters as "rioters and terrorists," accusing them of torching mosques and banks across all 31 provinces. Despite this, the unrest that began on December 29 continues to target the clerical leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Youth and Innocence Caught in the Crossfire

The victims are overwhelmingly young. Robina Aminian, a 23-year-old fashion student, was shot dead in Tehran. In the town of Tonekabon, 18-year-old Sorena Golgun was killed by a shot to the heart. Even those not participating in the protests have been hit; Navid Salehi, a 24-year-old nurse, was killed while leaving work in Kermanshah.

At the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre, witnesses described horrific scenes. One observer claimed to see over 2,000 bodies on the ground. BBC Verify has analyzed footage showing at least 186 and 178 bodies in two separate videos, suggesting the official silence masks a significantly higher death toll.