Iran’s interior ministry has produced an official estimate of the death toll resulting from the country’s ongoing protests, which began in September. It claims this has now exceeded 200, compared to the number provided by international bodies, which is generally over 400.
This would include innocent people caught in the crossfire between security forces and those engaged in what the government is describing as terrorist activity.
The Iranian government is also claiming that the protests are being instigated by separatist groups as well as by interference from foreign governments, including the U.S. and Israel.
Consequently, Iran is refusing to collaborate with a UN fact-finding mission into the government’s reaction to the protests.
It now remains to be seen how the situation will develop, and whether protests will endure into 2023.
