Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Feb 12: The death toll from last month’s nationwide protests in Iran has risen to at least 7,002, according to activists, sharply escalating tensions within the country and amid ongoing diplomatic strain with the United States.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) released the latest figures on Thursday, stating that the toll has gradually increased as it verifies reports through its network inside Iran. Communication challenges, including internet disruptions imposed by authorities, have slowed confirmation of casualties.
Iran’s government had earlier, on January 21, put the death toll at 3,117. The Islamic Republic has previously faced accusations of underreporting fatalities during periods of unrest. The Associated Press said it has been unable to independently verify the figures due to restrictions on communications within Iran.
The rising toll comes as Tehran engages in delicate negotiations with Washington over its nuclear programme. A second round of talks remains uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to toughen demands on Iran during the negotiations.
“There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference,” Trump wrote on his TruthSocial platform.
“Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit... That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible,” he added.
Inside Iran, public anger continues to simmer over the government’s crackdown on dissent. Tensions may intensify as families begin observing the traditional 40-day mourning period for those killed.
Senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani met Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday. Qatar hosts a major U.S. military base and has previously played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington. Larijani also met officials from the Palestinian group Hamas and, in Oman, Tehran-backed Houthi representatives from Yemen.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Larijani said Iran had not received a specific proposal from the U.S. during talks in Oman but acknowledged an “exchange of messages.”
Qatar’s state news agency reported that Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed regional de-escalation efforts with Trump, though details were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln along with additional ships and warplanes. American forces recently shot down a drone said to have approached the carrier and intervened when Iranian forces attempted to stop a U.S.-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told Axios he is considering sending a second carrier to the region. “We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” he said.
Amid the unrest, the Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed alarm over the reported treatment of 2023 Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. The committee said it was “deeply appalled by credible reports detailing the brutal arrest, physical abuse and ongoing life-threatening mistreatment” of Mohammadi.
It alleged that she was beaten during her arrest in December and continues to face harsh interrogation while being denied proper medical care. “She has fainted several times, suffers from dangerously high blood pressure and has been prevented from accessing necessary follow-up for suspected breast tumors,” the committee said, calling for her immediate and unconditional release.
Mohammadi, 53, was recently sentenced to more than seven additional years in prison. Her supporters had earlier warned that she was at risk of re-arrest after being granted medical furlough in December 2024.
As diplomatic manoeuvring continues abroad, Iran faces mounting scrutiny over its internal unrest and human rights record at home.