Information emerging from Iran on Tuesday indicates that the government's crackdown to suppress over two weeks of widespread anti-government protests has been significantly more lethal than previously reported by activists outside the country. As phone lines have reopened for communications from within the Islamic Republic, sources have informed CBS News that the death toll may be as high as 20,000 people, with estimates starting at a minimum of 12,000 fatalities.
During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concerns that the U.K. government believed 2,000 people had been killed, but acknowledged that this number could be significantly higher. The challenge in determining the true extent of casualties stems from the Iranian regime's severe restrictions, which have included cutting off internet access and phone services for several days.
Despite a complete internet shutdown being enforced for five days, some Iranians managed to make calls abroad on Tuesday. A source within Iran relayed to CBS News that activist groups, relying on reports from medical professionals across the nation, estimated the death toll to be between 12,000 and 20,000 individuals. This figure starkly contrasts with the lower numbers reported by several activist organizations, which have consistently noted their tallies are likely underestimated due to the ongoing chaos.
The opposition network Iran International reported on Tuesday that its information corroborates the death toll of approximately 12,000 fatalities. An additional source in Washington, with connections in Iran, indicated that credible estimates suggest a toll ranging from 10,000 to 12,000. Iranian authorities, on the other hand, have been slow to provide official estimates, with one unnamed official attributing about 2,000 deaths to foreign-influenced terrorists.
Moreover, CBS News has verified that disturbing video footage posted online shows hundreds of bodies piled in a morgue in a Tehran suburb, highlighting the brutal reality of the crackdown. This shocking clip, initially shared by an Iranian blogger known as Vahid Online, depicts forensic personnel documenting severe injuries on the deceased, alongside crowds seeking to identify the victims.
The protests, which have drawn warnings of potential U.S. military intervention from former President Trump, began in late December in response to soaring living costs in Iran's struggling economy. What started as localized grievances quickly escalated into mass demonstrations across all 31 provinces, with citizens demanding the ousting of the Islamic regime.
Even the lower death toll cited by Cooper, if verified, would surpass the highest casualty figures recorded in prior anti-regime protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. President Trump has repeatedly warned that if the Iranian government continues to harm protesters, the U.S. would take action, although he has refrained from specifying any particular thresholds for intervention.
Human rights advocates are alarmed by the escalating violence. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, head of the Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights, stated that the brutal crackdown appears to be far worse than anticipated. He emphasized that the international community has a responsibility to intervene and protect civilians from egregious human rights violations and mass killings.
Amiry-Moghaddam criticized the Iranian regime's tactics, which include cutting off internet access and limiting communication, likening the situation to solitary confinement. He urged global powers to enhance connectivity for Iranians to share their plight with the world, as the regime continues to stifle dissent.
Many Iranians are becoming increasingly disillusioned with their leaders. Amiry-Moghaddam shared that the overwhelming sentiment among the populace is a desire to see the end of the current regime. With diverse opinions on potential governance structures, he noted that the priority for most Iranians is to remove the existing Islamic Republic.
Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has expressed his willingness to return to Iran and lead the nation, asserting that prompt action is necessary to mitigate further loss of life. He has communicated with the Trump administration but has kept the specifics of those discussions private.
Amiry-Moghaddam concluded that a significant majority of Iranians wish to see a change in leadership, with estimates suggesting over 80% oppose the current regime. The desire for reform remains strong, as citizens continue to rally for their rights amid escalating violence and oppression.