Death toll in Iran protest violence climbs to 116

At least 116 people have been killed in Iran amid ongoing protests against the government, rights groups report. The protests, now entering their third week, have sparked a violent crackdown by security forces, with over 2,600 people detained, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

The unrest began on December 28, fueled by the collapse of the Iranian rial and rising discontent with the country's economic and political situation. The protests quickly evolved into a broader challenge to Iran's theocratic rule. Despite government efforts to suppress the demonstrations through mass arrests and heavy censorship, large crowds have continued to take to the streets, particularly in Tehran and the holy city of Mashhad.

The Iranian authorities have implemented widespread communication blackouts, cutting internet access and phone lines, making it difficult to fully assess the scale of the unrest. State media has focused on reporting casualties among security forces, portraying the protests as a terrorist threat. However, activists accuse the government of downplaying civilian deaths.

In a rare admission, the Iranian government acknowledged the ongoing protests, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials have vowed a tougher response, despite warnings from the U.S. President. Iran’s Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad warned that anyone participating in the protests could face charges of being an “enemy of God,” a crime punishable by death.

The U.S. government, which has expressed support for the protesters, has warned Iran against escalating the violence. Video footage verified by the Associated Press shows large crowds in defiance, chanting anti-government slogans, despite the heavy restrictions. The protests, which were initially sparked by economic woes, have become a broader symbol of dissatisfaction with the regime's rule.

As tensions mount, human rights organizations warn that the government’s crackdown could escalate, with deadly consequences reminiscent of previous protests, when hundreds were killed.