Iran's Protest Death Toll Surpasses 5,000 Amid Internet Blackout
Activists report over 5,000 deaths in Iran's crackdown on protests, as the country faces an extensive internet blackout and escalating international tensions.
The death toll from Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests has reached at least 5,002, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The casualties reportedly include 4,716 demonstrators, 203 government affiliates, 43 children, and 40 civilians uninvolved in protests. Over 26,800 individuals have been detained amid a widening arrest campaign.
The Iranian government has reported a lower death toll of 3,117, categorizing many demonstrators as "terrorists." The protests, which began on December 28, have led to Iran's most extensive internet blackout, hindering independent verification and reporting.
Amid escalating unrest, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group toward the Middle East, referring to it as an "armada" poised for potential action against Iran. Trump warned of consequences if peaceful demonstrators were killed or mass executions conducted, referencing historical precedents such as Iran's 1988 executions of thousands deemed "enemies of God."
Iranian authorities have imposed a near-total internet shutdown during the crackdown, restricting communication inside the country and limiting the flow of information about the killings to the outside world.
The protests, which began on December 28, have led to Iran's most extensive internet blackout, hindering independent verification and reporting.
Source
AP NewsFact-checking
Fact-check the facts of the article using external sources and databases.