IHR Reports 4,200 Verified Deaths in Recent Iran Protests

The non-governmental organization Iran Human Rights has released a comprehensive roster documenting the verified names of more than 4,200 individuals killed during the nationwide protests that took place between mid-December 2025 and mid-January 2026. This figure substantially exceeds the official casualty count of 3,117 previously acknowledged by state authorities. According to the report, this number represents a minimum baseline, as it includes only those victims whose identities have been rigorously cross-verified through forensic data and source cross-referencing.

The demographic breakdown of the verified victims reveals a significant presence of women and minors. The roster lists at least 420 women and 281 individuals under the age of 18. Among the minors, 25 were under 14 years old, with the youngest documented casualty being an infant just four and a half months old. The organization emphasizes that these figures are not final, but rather a subset of cases that met strict verification standards amidst severe obstacles to independent investigation.

Concentrated violence in a 48-hour window

A primary finding of the investigation highlights an overwhelming temporal concentration of fatalities. Among cases with fully documented timestamps, 3,356 victims, representing 91% of the verified deaths, were killed within the 48-hour window of January 8 and 9. This intense clustering of lethal force occurred across 30 of Iran’s 31 provinces. Eyewitness testimonies and forensic assessments indicate consistent tactical patterns nationwide, including point-blank firing into gatherings and the deployment of rooftop snipers.

The implementation of a nationwide internet blackout on the evening of January 8 coincided directly with the peak of the crackdown. Demonstrations and state violence continued into January 9 under this total communications blackout. Testimonies suggest that many citizens who joined street protests on the second day were unaware of the mass violence that had occurred the previous evening, complicating efforts to establish a complete timeline of events.

Obstacles to independent verification

According to GN geopolitics/rights (en-US), the rights group notes that total internet blackouts, telecom disruptions, and threats against victims’ families have severely hampered efforts to establish the complete scale of the casualties. Access to medical and forensic facilities was also restricted, creating significant barriers to independent documentation. The organization states that the collected evidence provides strong grounds for international prosecution under the framework of crimes against humanity, citing centralized coordination in the tactical execution of the killings.

Ongoing judicial persecution and repression

The report further documents post-protest repression, including security force raids on hospital wards and the abduction of injured protesters. There are allegations of coercion of medical staff and extortion of families seeking the release of bodies. In the judicial sphere, at least 29 protesters have been executed in connection with the demonstrations. IHR has identified an additional 100 detainees currently under formal death sentences, warning that the total number facing imminent capital punishment is likely higher due to reports of torture and the denial of legal counsel.