The figures related to the victims of the bloody protests that Iran recently witnessed indicate a significant disparity regarding their number, as a human rights organization stated that the number exceeded 6,000 people, while The Wall Street Journal described the events as "the most violent assault by the regime on opponents in decades."
According to estimates published by the Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), which is based in the United States, 6,126 people were killed during the protests, indicating concerns that the number of victims could be higher than this figure.
The organization reported last Sunday that it had confirmed the deaths of more than 5,500 protesters, and that it had 17 other cases under investigation based on evidence including photos of bodies and testimonies from its network of trained human rights documenters inside Iran.
The Wall Street Journal mentioned that initial estimates indicate that the number reached several thousands, making these incidents the most violent assault by the regime on opponents in decades, and it quoted HRANA's estimates that the death toll in the protests could exceed 10,000 people, revealing more information.
As for the Associated Press, which also relayed statements from HRANA, it said that it could not independently verify the death toll due to internet outages and disrupted communications with the Islamic Republic.
Official Figures
The figures mentioned above are much higher than those issued by the official Iranian authorities, which stated that the number of deceased reached 3,117, affirming that 2,427 of them were civilians and security forces, indicating that the rest were what it calls "participants in riotous acts" that the country witnessed.
The Iranian government accuses foreign parties including American and Israeli intelligence of fueling the unrest in the country, as the spokesman for the judiciary in Iran Asghar Jahangir earlier this January stated that "the recent events in the country were not just disturbances or protests but were terrorist acts driven by Western countries."
Jahangir mentioned that the Iranian authorities had arrested some of the armed riot instigators and some of them were agents for the Israeli intelligence service (Mossad).
"The Iranian Regime is Weakening"
In a related context, The New York Times reported from informed sources that U.S. President Donald Trump has received multiple American intelligence reports indicating that the Iranian government's position is weakening.
The newspaper said that American intelligence reports indicate that the Iranian government's grip on power is at its weakest since the Shah was overthrown in the 1979 revolution, and The New York Times cited a statement from the White House spokesperson saying that Trump continues to closely monitor the situation in Iran.
The New York Times quoted Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stating, "I spoke with Trump in recent days about Iran and I expect the president to keep his promise to help the Iranians who are protesting against their government."
Graham confirmed that the ultimate goal of the United States is to end the regime in Iran, adding, "They may stop their killings today, but if they remain in power next month, they will kill them then," referring to Iran's decision to halt the execution of hundreds after recent severe tensions with Washington.
These developments come as America amasses its forces in the region, coinciding with renewed threats from Trump to strike Iran, under the pretext of protecting Iranian protesters.
The regional scene these days is witnessing a sharp escalation in tensions around Iran, following a series of military operations and official statements and others from factions, amid fears of a potential confrontation that could extend to the entire region.
