An Iranian government official said on Tuesday that around 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the country’s ongoing protests and violent unrest. This marks the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll during the two-week-long turmoil, which has been met with a harsh crackdown. The official told Reuters that both protesters and security forces were killed by individuals he described as “terrorists,” but he did not disclose their identities or further details.

The unrest stems from Iran’s worsening economic conditions, which authorities view as the country’s most serious internal challenge in at least three years. The crisis has unfolded amid heightened international pressure following attacks by Israel and the United States last year. Iran’s religious leadership, in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has taken a dual stance—recognizing peaceful protests over economic issues as legitimate while enforcing strict security measures.

A human rights organization previously reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Internet blackouts and communication restrictions have severely disrupted information flow, while verified videos show intense clashes, gunfire, and property destruction across several cities.