12,000 killed in Iran protest crackdown, claims regime’s opposition
Updated: Jan 13th, 2026
An opposition-linked website has claimed that at least 12,000 people were killed by Iranian security forces during a nationwide crackdown on anti-regime protests, describing it as the largest killing in Iran’s modern history, as per a report.
Iran International, which is based outside the country, told Reuters that the figure stands in sharp contrast to estimates cited by Iranian officials. An Iranian official told media sources that around 2,000 people had died and blamed “terrorists" for the violence.
The number reported by Iran International is also significantly higher than the most widely cited figures so far, cited the report.
Human rights organisations and media outlets have generally put confirmed deaths at several hundred, while stressing that independent verification remains extremely difficult because of tight restrictions on information inside Iran.
According to the information on the website, most of the killings were carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia, primarily during the nights of January 8 and 9. It alleged that the violence was organised and systematic, rather than the result of sporadic or unplanned clashes between protesters and security forces.
Iran International reportedly claimed that the operation was conducted on the direct orders of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the knowledge and approval of senior officials across the political system.
The report said an order authorising the use of live ammunition was issued by the Supreme National Security Council.
The outlet said its estimate of at least 12,000 deaths was based on figures held internally by Iran’s own security institutions. It claimed the data had been compiled and cross-checked using multiple sources, including individuals close to the Supreme National Security Council and the presidential office, sources within the IRGC, eyewitness accounts, medical officials and information from hospitals and clinics across several cities.
