At least 6,126 people have died in Iran amid a nationwide crackdown on protests, activists said Tuesday, as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group arrived in the Middle East, providing the U.S. military with the capability to respond if necessary.
The protests, which began on December 28 after a sharp fall in the Iranian rial, have spread across the country and been met with a violent response by Iranian authorities. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which verified deaths through local networks, reported that the casualties include at least 5,777 protesters, 214 government forces, 86 children, and 49 civilians not participating in demonstrations. Over 41,800 arrests have also been reported.
Iran’s government disputes these figures, putting the death toll at 3,117, including 2,427 civilians and security forces, and labeling others as “terrorists.” Independent verification remains difficult due to internet blackouts and communication disruptions.
The arrival of the U.S. carrier group, including guided missile destroyers, comes amid escalating tensions, with President Donald Trump warning of possible military action if Iran continues executions or violent suppression of protesters.
Some Iranian-backed militias in the region, including Yemen’s Houthis and Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah, have issued statements signaling potential retaliatory attacks. Hezbollah, however, stopped short of specifying any operational plans, saying its response would depend on circumstances and strategic interests.
Iranian officials have accused the U.S. and Israel of inciting unrest, though they provided no evidence for these claims. Analysts note the crackdown and resulting casualties mark the deadliest round of protests in decades, rivaling unrest during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
