In several cities across Iran, tens of thousands of people took to the streets again over the weekend to demonstrate against the Islamic ruling system. It is estimated that about 13,000 people alone participated in the rallies in the major cities. The protesters are demanding far-reaching political reforms and an end to the religious guardianship by the leadership in Tehran.
Parallel to the current waves of protests, a report was published that documents the extent of the violence during the recent unrest. According to the information, up to 18,000 people may have lost their lives in connection with the protests. This number significantly exceeds previous estimates and highlights the severity with which the security forces are said to have acted against the civilian population.
The international community is watching the situation with growing concern. Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the incidents. The Iranian government has not yet officially commented on the new death toll, but it has regularly dismissed criticism of its past actions as interference in internal affairs. The situation in the country remains tense, as an end to the civil disobedience is not foreseeable at the moment.
