Iran has declared three days of public mourning following the deaths of several members of its security forces during nationwide anti-government protests, Iranian state media reported on Monday.
The announcement comes amid conflicting accounts of casualties from more than two weeks of unrest that have spread across the country. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group HRANA said at least 490 protesters had been killed, 10,600 detained and 48 members of the security forces had died in clashes so far.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency described protesters as “urban terrorist criminals” and accused them of using violence similar to that of Islamic State, citing a statement from the cabinet.
Tasnim said the government characterised the clashes as a “national resistance battle” against what it called US and Israeli interference.
President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday called on government supporters to take part in what he described as a “national resistance march,” Iranian media reported.
The protests, now in their 16th day, are the most serious challenge to Iran’s leadership since demonstrations in 2022. HRANA said on Sunday that total deaths from the unrest had exceeded 500, though Iranian authorities have not released comprehensive casualty figures.
Tehran has warned it would target US military bases in the region if Washington intervenes in support of protesters, Reuters reported earlier.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against using force on demonstrators, saying the United States could respond if violence escalates.
