Iran Crackdown: 12,000 Killed Amidst Internet Blackout, Report Cites Official

• At least 12,000 people reportedly killed in Iran, potentially reaching 20,000, during a crackdown on anti-government protests.
• Many deaths occurred on January 8-9 during a nationwide internet shutdown, making it difficult to establish the full scale.
• UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concern, fearing the death toll is significantly higher than initial estimates.
• Security forces are reportedly threatening hospital staff in Tehran to identify and hand over injured protesters.
• Video footage from a Tehran mortuary shows hundreds of bodies with severe injuries, including gunshot wounds, suggesting a brutal crackdown.

Why It Matters: A severe crackdown on protests in Iran has led to an estimated 12,000 to 20,000 deaths, largely under an internet blackout.