At least 5,000 people have been killed in ongoing anti-government protests and violence across Iran, according to the country's authorities. Among the dead are about 500 members of the security forces, a government official told Reuters. The official, who requested anonymity, blamed the deaths of 'innocent' Iranians on 'terrorists and armed rioters.' The most severe clashes and highest casualties reportedly occurred in the Kurdish-populated northwestern regions, where separatist groups are active.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) earlier reported a lower confirmed death toll of 3,308, with an additional 4,382 deaths still under verification. HRANA also stated that more than 24,000 people have been arrested during the unrest. The differing figures highlight the difficulty of obtaining accurate casualty data amid widespread violence and restricted information flow.

The situation remains tense, particularly in Kurdish areas, which have historically experienced intense unrest during periods of political instability.