• An Iranian official states verified deaths in protests have reached at least 5,000.
• Clashes have been particularly deadly in Iran's Kurdish regions.
• The U.S.-based HRANA group reports a death toll of 3,766, raising concerns over potential underreporting.
• Authorities attribute the unrest to foreign involvement and terrorism.
• Ongoing internet restrictions have hindered communication during the protests.

According to an Iranian official, at least 5,000 individuals have been confirmed dead in the ongoing anti-government protests, which erupted in late December. The official, who spoke to Reuters anonymously, indicated that among those killed were approximately 500 security personnel. He pinpointed the Kurdish regions in northwest Iran as areas experiencing the highest fatalities due to clashes with security forces and alleged terrorism, asserting that "Israel and armed groups abroad" supported these violent actions against "innocent Iranians" according to Reuters and Middle East Eye.

The protests began over economic grievances and escalated into broader demands for governmental changes, leading to a violent crackdown that included live ammunition usage against demonstrators. The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledged on Saturday that "several thousand" had perished during the unrest while blaming the United States, specifically citing former President Trump’s involvement in stoking the conflict. His comments were reported by Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Aligned with the official’s assertion, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported a death toll of 3,766, which has increased from previous figures, pointing to a trend that may indicate the actual fatalities are even higher due to the difficulties in verifying these statistics amidst ongoing violence. The HRANA also mentioned that 24,348 arrests had been documented during the protests, emphasizing the scale of the government's response according to Los Angeles Times.

Amidst the unrest, the Iranian administration has instituted an internet blackout, particularly heightened after January 8, designed to curb communications among demonstrators. While some internet services appear to have returned, access remains severely limited, and authorities have maintained tight control over information flow regarding the ongoing protests according to Middle East Eye and Reuters.