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Death tolls in Iran's ongoing protests have reached 3,308, according to the U.S.-based Iran Human Rights Activists (HRANA), as demonstrations that began over economic grievances have intensified into broader anti-government unrest.
The figures released by HRANA indicate that among those killed, 3,097 were protesters, 22 were children, and 23 were neutral civilians.
An additional 166 security force personnel and government-supporting civilians have died, according to the organization. HRANA said it is continuing to review 4,382 death reports.
The organization also reported that 24,266 people have been arrested in connection with the demonstrations, with 2,107 people suffering serious injuries.
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The demonstrations began on Dec. 28, 2025, at Tehran's Grand Bazaar, where merchants protested against high currency devaluation and economic hardship. The protests subsequently spread to multiple cities across the country.
On January 8, protests intensified in the capital, Tehran, following which the Iranian government blocked internet access.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged the deaths for the first time while addressing crowds in Tehran.
"Those linked with Israel and the U.S. caused great damage and killed thousands of people during protests lasting more than two weeks that shook Iran," Khamenei said.
Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of direct involvement in the violence, claiming, "The latest sedition was an American sedition, and the U.S. goal was to swallow Iran."
He continued, "We hold the U.S. president guilty for the damage he has caused to the Iranian people, the loss of life, and the accusations he has leveled. The anti-Iran uprising was different in that the U.S. president was directly involved."
U.S. President Donald Trump issued sharp criticism of Khamenei in comments to Politico, describing the Iranian leader as "a sick man" and calling for new leadership in the country.
"The time has come to look for new leadership in Iran. He should govern his country properly and stop killing people," Trump said.
Trump characterized Khamenei's leadership as destructive, stating, "His crime as the country's leader is the complete destruction of the country and an unprecedented use of violence." Trump added, "Iran is the worst place in the world to live because of his terrible leadership."
Trump emphasized that effective leadership requires respect rather than fear. "Leadership should focus on managing the country properly, just as I have managed the United States, even at very low levels of functioning. Not by killing thousands of people to maintain control. Leadership requires respect, not fear and death," Trump said.
The U.S. president underscored the need for regime change, stating, "The time has come to look for new leadership in Iran."
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