Iran Unrest: Official Puts Death Toll Near 5,000 as Khamenei Blames Trump

Overview

• A Reuters-cited Iranian official said roughly 5,000 people have been killed, including about 500 security personnel, and predicted little further increase.
• Ali Khamenei acknowledged for the first time that the protests left “thousands” dead and labeled the unrest a U.S.-driven plot, after President Donald Trump threatened strong action then praised purportedly canceled executions.
• NetBlocks reported only partial, heavily filtered restoration after a nationwide shutdown, leaving independent verification of casualties and arrests severely constrained.
• Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir indicated some detainees fall under the capital offense of mohareb, as Israel alleged protester Erfan Soltani was killed in custody.
• Regional tension deepened: the EU aviation regulator urged carriers to avoid Iranian airspace for a month, and President Masud Pezeshkian warned any attack on Khamenei would be treated as a declaration of war.