Escalation of Fatalities in Iranian Protests According to Activists

Data released by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), based in the United States, indicates that the number of people killed in the widespread protests in Iran has reached 538.

HRANA has verified the deaths of 490 demonstrators and 48 security personnel. Additionally, it reports that approximately 10,600 individuals have been detained in connection with the protests.

The information HRANA provides is gathered through contributions from activists both domestically and internationally.

ABC News has not been able to independently confirm these figures. The Iranian authorities have yet to release their own casualty counts related to the ongoing civil unrest.

Video content shared on social platforms showed sizable assemblies in Tehran's Punak Square as of Saturday night, despite attempts from government forces to break up the protests. Similar gatherings were noted in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

According to the Saturday report from HRANA, they have tracked demonstrations across 185 cities within all 31 provinces, totaling 574 protest sites. This report marked the protests' fourteenth day.

The Iranian government has not provided detailed injury or fatality data for the demonstrations. In contrast, Tasnim, a state-aligned news source, reported on Sunday that 109 security officers had been lost during the clashes.

HRANA and other human rights organizations have cited extensive and ongoing disruptions to internet access nationally as protests have expanded. Early Sunday reports from NetBlocks, an online monitoring entity, claimed the "internet blackout" in Iran extended beyond 60 hours.

Protests sparked in late December, originating in central Tehran with cries against the surging inflation and depreciation of the Iranian rial. As the discontent grew, the narrative shifted to broader anti-government sentiment, with chants condemning the Islamic Republic prominently heard.

Rising Casualties Amid Government Crackdown

Iran's religious leadership under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has attempted to suppress the revolt through security forces deploying tear gas and live ammunition, reports indicate.

While Iranian leadership acknowledges economic issues raised by protestors, they have attributed unrest to "rioters" allegedly supported by foreign states such as the U.S. and Israel.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking with state media, denounced what he described as foreign "terrorists" instigating disorder, while reiterating a commitment to addressing economic grievances.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed solidarity with the Iranian demonstrations, condemning the violent suppression of protestors and looking forward to a future collaboration with a liberated Iran.

From overseas, dissident voices have fueled the call for an overthrow of the Iranian regime. The exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi encouraged demonstrators not to retreat, asserting support through social media.

The U.S., led by President Donald Trump, has criticized Tehran's forceful response, with Trump proclaiming imminent "freedom" for Iran and signaling readiness to assist.

Amid foreign commentary, Tehran has issued warnings against external interference, with parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf suggesting U.S. and Israeli interests could become "legitimate targets" if military actions against Iran commence.