Overview
- In a televised address, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed the United States and Israel for the casualties while conceding that thousands were killed during the unrest.
- An Iranian official quoted by Reuters said at least 5,000 people were killed, including about 500 security personnel, exceeding HRANA’s roughly 3,300–3,700 confirmed deaths.
- HRANA reports more than 24,000 arrests as demonstrations that began over a currency collapse and soaring prices have largely subsided under heavy security.
- Internet access remains severely constrained after the Jan. 8 shutdown, with NetBlocks reporting only slight and intermittent restorations and no broad return of service.
- Judicial officials are invoking mohareb charges and fast‑tracking cases that could carry the death penalty, as President Trump calls for new leadership and Iran’s president warns any aggression against Khamenei would mean all‑out war.