US Says Iran Crackdown on Protests May Have Killed More Than 1,000 Civilians

Iranian demonstrators take part in protests sparked by a fuel price increase in November, amid US allegations that Iran’s security forces used lethal force, resulting in more than 1,000 civilian deaths during the crackdown.

Washington:
The United States has said it believes that Iranian security forces may have killed more than 1,000 civilians during a sweeping crackdown on anti-government protests that erupted across Iran last month, marking one of the deadliest episodes of unrest in the country in recent years.

The estimate was announced by Brian Hook, the USState Department’s Special Representative for Iran, who said Washington was continuing to assess evidence related to the Iranian government’s response to nationwide demonstrations that began in mid-November following a sudden increase in fuel prices.

“Given the current situation in Iran, more than 1,000 Iranian civilians may have been killed in the Iranian government’s actions since the beginning of the demonstrations,” Hook said during a briefing in Washington.

Iranian authorities have not released an official death toll, and independent verification has been difficult due to restrictions on media coverage and internet access during the unrest.

Protests Sparked by Fuel Price Hike

The protests began on November 15 after the Iranian government announced a sharp increase in fuel prices, a move officials said was necessary to manage budget constraints and reduce fuel smuggling. The decision, however, triggered immediate public anger in a country already grappling with economic hardship, high inflation, and the effects of international sanctions.

Demonstrations quickly spread from smaller cities to major urban centers, including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. What initially began as protests over fuel costs soon expanded into broader expressions of frustration over economic conditions, governance, and political freedoms.

Iranian authorities responded by deploying security forces, including police units and members of the IslamicRevolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), to restore order. The government also imposed a near-total internet shutdown that lasted several days, limiting the flow of information both inside and outside the country.

US Claims Based on Video Evidence

Hook said the US government has received a substantial volume of digital evidence related to the crackdown. According to him, Washington has obtained approximately 32,000 video files submitted through online platforms that document the government’s response to the protests.

“These videos show acts of violence by the Iranian authorities against peaceful demonstrators,” Hook said, adding that analysts at the US State Department were reviewing each submission to assess its authenticity and content.

He said the footage appeared to depict excessive use of force, including live ammunition fired at protesters in multiple locations. The US has cited these videos as part of its effort to document alleged human rights abuses in Iran.

Allegations of Live Fire on Protesters

Citing specific examples from the video evidence, Hook said Iranian security forces opened fire without warning on demonstrators in certain areas. One incident he highlighted involved protesters blocking a road in the city of Mashhad, where security forces allegedly used live ammunition to disperse the crowd.

“In some cases, demonstrators were fired upon without any prior warning,” Hook said. “This resulted in multiple fatalities.”

Mashhad, one of Iran’s largest cities and an important religious center, saw significant unrest during the protests, according to reports from human rights groups and international media outlets.

Iranian authorities have maintained that security forces acted to protect public order and critical infrastructure, and they have accused some protesters of engaging in violence and vandalism.

Thousands Injured and Thousands Detained, US Says

In addition to the reported death toll, the USestimates that thousands of Iranian civilians were injured during the demonstrations. Hook said that at least 7,000 protesters are believed to be in custody following mass arrests carried out during and after the unrest.

Human rights organizations have similarly reported large-scale detentions, raising concerns about the treatment of detainees and the lack of transparency surrounding legal proceedings.

Family members of some detained protesters have said they have been unable to obtain information about the whereabouts or condition of their relatives. Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed the number of arrests.

Iran Rejects US Allegations

Iran has repeatedly rejected US accusations regarding its handling of the protests, dismissing them as politically motivated and based on exaggerated or false information.

Iranian officials have accused the United States and other foreign governments of encouraging unrest and spreading misinformation to destabilize the country. State media in Iran has reported that many of those arrested were involved in acts of violence, including arson and attacks on public property.

The Iranian government has acknowledged that some people were killed during the unrest but has not provided detailed figures or circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Pompeo Raises Human Rights Concerns

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo echoed Hook’s remarks, saying the situation in Iran represents a serious human rights concern that Washington is closely monitoring.

“Human rights are being violated in Iran,” Pompeo said. “The State Department will take cognizance of this situation and inform Congress about it.”

Pompeo said the US would continue to support the Iranian people’s right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. He also called on Iranian authorities to release those detained for participating in demonstrations and to allow independent investigations into the reported killings.

International Reaction and Scrutiny

The protests and subsequent crackdown have drawn international attention, with several governments and human rights organizations calling for accountability and transparency.

Groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have previously estimated that hundreds of people were killed during the unrest, though they have also cautioned that the true number could be higher due to limited access to information.

The United Nations has urged Iran to conduct an independent investigation into the use of force against protesters. UN officials have expressed concern about the scale of violence and the reported internet blackout, which they said hindered efforts to document events accurately.

Information Blackout Complicates Verification

One of the major challenges in assessing the situation has been Iran’s temporary shutdown of internet services during the height of the protests. The blackout significantly reduced the ability of protesters, journalists, and rights groups to share information and evidence in real time.

Analysts say the disruption delayed the release of videos and eyewitness accounts, contributing to uncertainty over casualty figures and the full extent of the crackdown.

The Iranian government has defended the shutdown as a necessary measure to maintain security, arguing that social media platforms were being used to coordinate violence.

Broader Context of US-Iran Tensions

The US allegations come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have been locked in a prolonged standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, regional influence, and US economic sanctions.

Since withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement, the US has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, significantly impacting the country’s economy. Iranian officials have blamed sanctions for worsening living conditions and fueling public discontent.

Critics of US policy argue that sanctions have contributed to economic hardship for ordinary Iranians, while US officials maintain that the measures are aimed at pressuring Iran’s leadership, not its people.

Calls for Accountability Continue

The US has said it will continue to collect and analyze evidence related to the protests and will work with international partners to raise the issue in global forums.

“We want the world to see what is happening in Iran,” Hook said. “Accountability matters.”

Iranian authorities, meanwhile, have signaled no intention of allowing international investigations, insisting that the situation is an internal matter.

Uncertain Path Ahead

As Iran faces ongoing economic challenges and political pressures, analysts say the protests and their aftermath could have lasting implications for domestic stability and Iran’s relations with the international community.

For now, questions remain over the true scale of the casualties, the fate of those detained, and whether the Iranian government will provide greater transparency regarding its actions.

The US assessment that more than 1,000 civilians may have been killed underscores the gravity of the unrest and has intensified calls for independent scrutiny, even as Tehran continues to reject foreign criticism and defend its response to the protests.

 

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