Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jan 16: Iranian authorities have detained around 3,000 people for allegedly fuelling unrest and provoking demonstrations across the country, state television reported on Friday, citing an unnamed security source.

According to the report, those detained were allegedly involved in anti-government protests and were either linked to “terrorist groups” or accused of aggravating unrest. The source requested anonymity due to official restrictions.

In contrast, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based organisation unaffiliated with the Iranian government, claimed that more than 19,000 people have been detained since the protests began. The group also alleged that 2,677 people have lost their lives in clashes during the demonstrations.

Iranian authorities have not released any official figures regarding the number of deaths or injuries linked to the protests so far.

The protests erupted on December 28 in Tehran, initially led by shopkeepers, merchants and small business owners protesting soaring inflation, the sharp fall of the national currency rial, and worsening economic conditions. The demonstrations later spread to several cities and evolved into broader anti-government protests involving workers, students and other sections of society.