Iran(The COW News Digital)Violent anti-government protests in Iran have spiraled out of control, leaving at least 217 people dead amid widespread clashes between demonstrators and security forces, according to reports cited by international media. The unrest, initially sparked by soaring inflation and economic hardship, has spread rapidly across several major cities, resulting in extensive damage to public and private property.
According to reports published by a leading US magazine, demonstrators engaged in large-scale vandalism, targeting banks, mosques, hospitals, and emergency vehicles. At least 26 banks, 25 mosques, two hospitals, and 48 fire trucks were damaged during the violence. Protesters also attacked government buildings and police stations, injuring multiple security personnel.
Eyewitness accounts and media reports suggest that ambulances were attacked, while public buses and private vehicles were set on fire in several areas. Security forces have arrested approximately 2,500 people as authorities struggle to regain control. Internet services across the country remain suspended, further limiting access to independent information.
A doctor in Tehran, speaking on condition of anonymity, told international media that 217 deaths had been confirmed in just six hospitals in the capital. The doctor claimed that most victims died from gunshot wounds. Iranian authorities, however, have not officially confirmed the death toll.
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In a separate report, a Washington-based human rights organization stated that at least 63 people have been killed so far, including 49 civilians, highlighting discrepancies in casualty figures amid restricted media access.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly condemned the violence, accusing the United States of instigating unrest. He said that some rioters were deliberately damaging public property to please former US President Donald Trump. Khamenei warned that Iran would not tolerate what he described as “mercenaries” and urged the public to remain united against foreign interference.
Addressing the Iranian nation, the Supreme Leader called for national solidarity and advised US leaders to focus on domestic issues rather than interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry urged the United Nations to prevent foreign intervention and respect Iran’s sovereignty. The ministry described recent US statements on the protests as deceptive and a violation of international norms.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, also alleged that foreign-backed elements attempted to steer peaceful protests toward violence. He stated that external interference contradicts the principles of state sovereignty and added that Iran has faced similar conspiracies in the past and emerged stronger each time.
The ambassador emphasized that the majority of Iranians stand with the state and security institutions, vowing that the nation would defeat any attempt to destabilize the country.
