Iranian protest deaths estimated at over 2,000, larger than any other recent unrest in the country

U.S. Weighs options as islamic republic of persia continues crackdown on protests

The dying toll from nationwide protests in Iran spiked tues to at least 2,000 people killed, activists said, as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications during a crackdown.

This level of violence around protests hasn't been seen in Iran in decades.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information.

The group said 1,847 of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Another nine children were killed, and nine civilians it said were not taking part in protests were also killed.

More than 10,700 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, the group said.

Iran's government hasn't offered overall casualty figures.

With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll.

Iranian phone calls gave a glimpse of life after being cut off from the outside world on Thursday night, however. On Tuesday, Iranians could call abroad on mobile phones for the first time in days.

Witnesses described seeing a heavy security presence in central Tehran.

Anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armour, carried batons, shields, shotguns and tear gas launchers. They stood watch at major intersections. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms and batons. Security officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces as well.

Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, they said. ATMs had been smashed and banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet, the witnesses added.

Shops were open, though there was little foot traffic in the capital. Tehran's Grand Bazaar, where the demonstrations began Dec. 28, was to open Tuesday. However, a witness described speaking to multiple shopkeepers who said the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iranian state media had not acknowledged that order.

The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Many remain concerned about a possible military strike by the U.S., even as President Donald Trump has said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington.

"My customers talk about Trump's reaction while wondering if he plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic," said shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave just his first name out of concerns for his safety. "I don't expect Trump or any other foreign country cares about the interests of Iranians."

Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests also remain front of mind for many.

"People — particularly young ones — are hopeless, but they talk about continuing the protests," he said.

Meanwhile, it appeared that security service personnel were searching for Starlink terminals as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them in their homes, and officials broadly had given up on enforcing the law in recent years.

On the streets, people also could be seen challenging plainclothes security officials, who were stopping passersby at random.

State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue services being free — a signal some likely charged high fees for the release of bodies amid the crackdown.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown.

Iran, through the country's parliamentary speaker, warned Sunday that the U.S. Military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired Monday night, said he continued to communicate with U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff.

The communication "continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing," Araghchi said. However, "Washington's proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible."

Trump announced on social media on Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25 per cent tariffs, as he continues in his second presidential administration to impose levies on allies and foes to help serve White House interests.

China said late Monday it opposed "any illicit ​unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction" and it "will take ‍all ⁠necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."

"China's position against the indiscriminate imposition of tariffs is consistent and ⁠clear: Tariff wars and trade wars have no ‍winners, and coercion and pressure cannot solve problems," a spokesperson of the ⁠Chinese embassy in ​Washington said on X.

In addition to China, countries that do significant trade with Tehran include Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, South Korea and Japan.

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