The number of people killed in anti‑government protests across Iran has continued to rise as nationwide demonstrations enter their second week, with authorities stepping up a harsh crackdown and threatening some protesters with the death penalty.
Iran has been gripped by widespread protests since late December 2025, initially sparked by economic grievances including skyrocketing inflation, a collapsing currency, and deepening hardship for ordinary Iranians. Demonstrations have since spread to cover all of the country’s 31 provinces, with thousands taking to the streets in major cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Tabriz.
According to independent rights groups, the death toll has reached at least 42–45 people, including protesters and some members of security forces, with injuries and more than 2,000 detentions reported amid intensifying clashes.
Death Penalty Warning From Prosecutors
In a stark escalation, Iran’s chief prosecutor has warned that demonstrators involved in acts of “vandalism” and targeting public property could face charges of moharebeh (waging war against God) — a capital offense under Iranian law that carries the death penalty.
Prosecutors and judiciary officials have echoed this hardline stance, signaling a crackdown with “no leniency” for those accused of violent or destructive acts during protests.
International and Human Rights Reactions
Human rights organizations have condemned the use of lethal force and arbitrary arrests, urging Tehran to respect freedom of assembly and basic rights. The rising casualty figures and reports of internet shutdowns have drawn global concern as governments and rights groups call for restraint.
The situation remains fluid and evolving, with international media and observers monitoring developments as Iran faces potentially its most serious domestic unrest in years.
