At least 12,000 people have been killed during the ongoing crackdown on protests in Iran, according to the Iranian opposition television channel Iran International (London).
As stated on the broadcaster’s website, this is a preliminary estimate based on data obtained from sources close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the presidential administration, sources within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the cities of Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Isfahan, as well as eyewitnesses and medical personnel.
After analyzing all the collected data, journalists concluded that at least 12,000 people were killed over two nights, January 8 and 9. It is claimed that the majority of the victims were killed as a result of targeted gunfire by IRGC forces, in particular units of the Basij paramilitary force, which is part of the IRGC.
Iran International emphasizes that amid a complete internet shutdown and the absence of free media inside the country, the collection and verification of data on casualties is extremely difficult.
BBC Persian reports, citing data from the internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, which tracks global internet access, that the internet blackout in Iran has now lasted for more than 108 hours. Earlier, on January 12, the human rights organization HRANA reported that at least 490 protesters and at least 48 security personnel had been killed during the unrest.
