Tehran, January 15, 2026 — Reports from independent rights groups and international media indicate that mass killings have occurred across Iran over the past 48 hours, as nationwide protests continue and security forces increase their use of lethal force against demonstrators and perceived dissenters.
Death Toll Estimates Surge
The U.S.–based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that the death toll from the ongoing protests has now reached at least 2,571 people, including protesters, security personnel and civilians, with additional deaths under review.
Activist sources suggest thousands more may have been killed in a concentrated wave of violence over the last 48 hours, though communication blackouts and restricted reporting have made independent verification difficult.
Government Crackdown and International Reactions
The Iranian government’s violent response to demonstrations — which started in late December 2025 — has drawn international condemnation, with documented cases of security forces using live ammunition, drones and heavy weaponry in urban centers.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that killings and executions “have stopped” in recent hours after pressure from foreign governments, even as international rights groups warn that repression continues and executions remain a threat for detained protesters.
Reports from human rights organizations and journalists indicate concern over possible summary executions and unlawful killings, with some observers calling the scale of violence unprecedented in modern Iranian history.
