The Iranian government has acknowledged a rising death toll from ongoing protests, claiming the situation is now “under total control.” This statement comes as anti-government demonstrations have persisted for over two weeks, with mounting international scrutiny and threats from the United States regarding potential military intervention.
President Donald Trump indicated that Iranian officials reached out to express a desire to negotiate following his warnings about the consequences of violence against protesters. On March 15, 2024, Trump stated that a meeting was being organized, but he cautioned that the U.S. might act before any discussions take place. He previously emphasized that if Iran continued to “kill people like they have in the past,” the U.S. would intervene, although the specifics of such an intervention remain unclear.
In an unusual decision, Iran’s state-controlled media broadcast video footage showing mass casualties at a morgue in Kahrizak, a suburb of Tehran. The footage depicts dozens of bodies wrapped in black bags and grieving relatives searching for their loved ones. The state TV report acknowledged that while some deceased may have been involved in violence, “the majority of them are ordinary people,” emphasizing the human toll of the protests.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed that protests were now “under total control,” attributing the unrest to external influences, including the U.S. He stated that Iran is “ready for war, but also for dialogue” with the U.S., underscoring the regime’s willingness to engage while maintaining a stance of defiance.
Despite the Iranian government’s assertions, human rights organizations have reported a significant increase in casualties. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 544 individuals have died since the protests began, with 483 identified as protesters. The unrest has reportedly spread across 186 cities in all 31 provinces of Iran.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran, based in the U.S., has gathered eyewitness accounts suggesting that the situation is dire, accusing the Iranian regime of conducting a “massacre.” Another organization, the Iran Human Rights group located in Norway, reported at least 192 confirmed deaths, with estimates suggesting the toll could exceed 2,000.
As the Iranian government faces increasing pressure, it has threatened maximum punishment for protesters while also indicating a potential reopening of internet services, which had been cut during the unrest. This dual approach suggests the regime is attempting to project strength while managing internal dissent.
Both Iranian officials and President Trump continue to exchange warnings, maintaining a tense standoff. The outcome of these protests and the international response remains uncertain, as the situation in Iran develops further.
