An Iranian official said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday that at least 2,000 people have been killed during the ongoing protests in Iran, marking the first time authorities have publicly acknowledged such a high death toll from the recent unrest.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details about the identities of those killed or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The disclosure follows a severe, nearly two-week crackdown on nationwide protests, during which Iranian security forces have used force to suppress demonstrations.
Other sources cited by Iran International have previously put the death toll significantly higher, estimating that as many as 12,000 people may have been killed. Iranian authorities have not publicly responded to those claims.
Independent verification of casualty figures has been difficult amid restrictions on media access and widespread internet disruptions across the country.
