An Iranian official said Sunday that authorities had confirmed the deaths of at least 5,000 people in protests across the country, including about 500 members of the security forces, and accused Israel and armed groups operating from abroad of orchestrating the unrest.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, the official said "terrorists and armed operatives" were responsible for killing "innocent Iranians." He added that some of the deadliest clashes occurred in Iran's Kurdish regions in Iran's northwest, where separatist Kurdish groups are also active. Those areas have been flashpoints during previous periods of unrest.
"The final number is not expected to rise sharply," the official said, again blaming Israel and armed organizations from abroad for backing and deploying those who took to the streets. Iranian authorities have repeatedly accused foreign actors, including Israel and the US, of involvement in the protests.
The US-based human rights group Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) said Saturday that the death toll had reached 3,308, with another 4,382 cases still under investigation. The group said it had confirmed more than 24,000 arrests.
