Cyprus Times

Iran: Reports of Brutal Crackdown, Death Toll May Exceed 12,000

Published January 13, 2026, 20:04
Iran: Reports of Brutal Crackdown, Death Toll May Exceed 12,000

Serious concerns are being raised about the crackdown on protests in Iran, with estimates of the death toll rising dramatically. While initial estimates spoke of around 2,000 deaths, new sources, including one inside Iran, report that the number of victims could reach 12,000 to 20,000. The UK estimates that more than 2,000 people may have been killed, while sources in Washington report numbers between 10,000 and 12,000. The exact picture remains unclear due to the internet and telephone communication disruptions by the Iranian regime, which is reportedly threatening medical personnel recording the victims. Iran International also reports approximately 12,000 deaths.