While the death toll is uncertain, it is known that both Iranian security officials and civilians have died in significant numbers since the original Dec. 29, 2025 demonstrations of merchants, over the sharp decline in the Iranian currency. As described by TASS: “On Jan. 2, groups of unknown armed individuals appeared on the streets, and armed clashes between rioters and law enforcement increased.” Estimates of deaths of both groups are difficult to obtain, but various ones are in the range of 100-200.
In Tehran alone, as reported by Mayor Alireza Zakani, 25 mosques were burned and rioters damaged 10 government buildings and 3 medical centers. Firetrucks were attacked, damaging 48 of them. The chief justice of North Khorasan province reported that the prosecutor of Esfarayen city, Ali Akbar Hosseinzadeh, was killed, along with several law enforcement officials. He said that rioters “set fire to the trailer where the prosecutor and security personnel were stationed and did not allow emergency teams to reach them.” State TV reported that, so far, 30 security personnel have been killed in Isfahan province since the protests erupted.
On state television, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that “terrorists” had targeted military and law enforcement sites, killing several citizens and security personnel. A municipal building in Karaj was burned. They warned that maintaining security was a “red line.” The military vowed to protect public property. Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei accused protesters of attacking public property and acting as “mercenaries for foreigners.” The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the IRGC’s intelligence wing had arrested a foreign national suspected of spying for Israel. And on Jan. 10, around 100 “armed rioters” had been detained, according to state media.
