A US-based rights group said Friday it has confirmed the deaths of more than 5,000 people during protests that swept Iran, adding that the vast majority were protesters targeted by security forces. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) said it had confirmed that 5,002 people had been killed, including 4,714 protesters, 42 minors, 207 members of the security forces and 39 bystanders. Giving their first official toll from the protests, Iranian authorities on Wednesday said 3,117 people were killed. There has been no report of any protesters executed but rights groups have warned demonstrators risk being charged with capital crimes, which could see them sentenced to death. Iran is the world’s most prolific executioner after China, according to rights groups.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 23, 2026 14:55 UTC