According to Bagai, the information about such a large number of casualties is false. The publication Time relies on data from two high-ranking officials of Iran's Ministry of Health. At the same time, the human rights organization HRANA, based in the United States, reports a significantly lower number of deaths — about 5,500, with another 17,000 cases under investigation.
The protests in the country began on December 28 against the backdrop of the national currency's decline and a sharp increase in prices. Participants in the demonstrations demanded changes in the political regime. Iranian authorities confirmed the death of 3,100 protesters, and the suppression of the unrest was announced on January 21.
