Iran’s crackdown on protests has reportedly resulted in at least 16,500 deaths, with security forces accelerating executions, leading to accusations of genocide against the regime.
Iran is experiencing one of its deadliest periods as security forces intensify their crackdown on protests, which some observers are labeling as “genocide.” A report by The Sunday Times, compiled by local doctors and reviewed by the outlet, estimates that at least 16,500 protesters have been killed, with more than 330,000 others injured. The report characterizes the violence as an “utter slaughter,” cautioning that the actual toll may be even higher due to limited access to hospitals and a near-total shutdown of communication networks.
The majority of the victims are believed to be under the age of 30, highlighting the severe impact on Iran’s younger generation as the regime escalates its efforts to suppress dissent. In a televised address, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledged that “several thousands” have died since protests began on December 28. He attributed the violence to demonstrators, labeling them as “foot-soldiers of the U.S.” and falsely asserting that they were armed with imported live ammunition.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), verified figures indicate that 3,919 people have been killed as of the 22nd day of protests, with an additional 8,949 deaths under investigation. The agency also reported 2,109 severe injuries and 24,669 detentions. HRANA emphasized that the true toll is likely much higher due to the ongoing internet shutdown.
Professor Amir Parasta, an Iranian-German eye surgeon and medical director of Munich MED, expressed his shock at the situation in an interview with The Sunday Times. He noted that doctors across Iran are “shocked and crying,” despite their experience in treating war injuries. Parasta described the current level of brutality as unprecedented, stating that Starlink terminals smuggled into Iran have been the only means of communication since authorities cut internet access on January 8.
Eyewitness accounts from those who fled Iran depict a grim reality, with reports of snipers targeting protesters’ heads, mass shootings, and systematic blinding using pellet guns. One former resident recounted that doctors reported over 800 eye removals in a single night in the capital, with estimates suggesting that more than 8,000 people have been blinded nationwide. Parasta referred to the situation as “genocide under the cover of digital darkness.”
In addition to the street killings, executions have surged dramatically. Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), reported that 2,200 people were executed in 2025, with 153 already hanged in the first 18 days of January 2026—averaging more than eight executions per day. Safavi stated, “Ali Khamenei is continuing mass executions in parallel with the killing of young protesters,” adding that three executions in the form of hanging are occurring every hour based on their data.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has previously disputed the high death tolls reported, claiming fatalities are only in the hundreds and dismissing higher figures as “misinformation.” In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump condemned Khamenei, labeling him a “sick man” and calling for new leadership in Iran. Trump accused Khamenei of presiding over “the complete destruction of the country” and using “violence at levels never seen before,” urging the Iranian leadership to “stop killing people.”
The ongoing violence and repression in Iran have drawn international condemnation, with calls for accountability and support for the protesters who continue to face brutal crackdowns. As the situation develops, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that respects the rights and lives of the Iranian people.
According to The Sunday Times, the situation remains dire as the regime’s actions continue to escalate.