Iran Confirms 5,000 Deaths in Protests, Blames 'Terrorists and Armed Rioters'

• An Iranian official confirmed 5,000 deaths in nationwide protests, including 500 security forces, blaming "terrorists and armed rioters."
• The unrest, which began on December 28 over economic hardships, escalated into demands for an end to clerical rule, marking the deadliest period since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
• U.S. President Donald Trump warned against further killings and executions, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating the violence.
• The Iranian judiciary signaled that some executions might proceed, citing "Mohareb," an Islamic legal term carrying the death penalty for waging war against God.
• Rights groups report lower death tolls, with HRANA documenting 3,308 deaths and over 24,000 arrests; deadliest clashes occurred in Iran's Kurdish regions.

Why It Matters: Iran confirms 5,000 protest deaths, blames external forces, while rights groups report lower figures.