At least 5,000 killed during Iran’s nationwide protests – Official

Melbourne: Iranian authorities have verified that at least 5,000 people were killed during the recent nationwide protests, including about 500 security personnel, a regional official said on Sunday (18). The official blamed “terrorists and armed rioters” for the deaths, saying they were responsible for killing “innocent Iranians.”

Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the official said some of the heaviest clashes and the highest number of deaths occurred in the Kurdish areas of north-western Iran. The region has long been a centre of Kurdish separatist activity and has witnessed some of the most violent confrontations during previous periods of unrest.

Iranian authorities are reportedly considering a gradual restoration of internet access after imposing a nationwide communications shutdown for more than a week, according to local media.

On Sunday morning, AFP was able to connect to the internet from its Tehran office, although most internet providers and mobile data services remain cut. It was not immediately clear why limited connectivity was possible.

Outgoing international calls have been available since Tuesday (13), and text messaging services were restored on Saturday (17). Late on Saturday, the Tasnim News Agency reported that “relevant authorities announced that internet access would also be gradually restored,” without providing further details.

Citing an unnamed informed source, the agency added that local messaging applications would soon be activated on Iran’s domestic intranet.
Source: Reuters/DW