The death toll in Iran has risen, according to a US-based rights group that has been tracking casualty numbers amid widespread anti-regime protests in the country. At least 544 people have been killed during the demonstrations over the past 15 days, including eight children, according to an update from the Human Rights Activist New Agency (HRANA), the news service of the organisation Human Rights Activists in Iran. HRANA provided the following breakdown of the death toll:483 protesters have been killed. CNN is unable to independently verify HRANA’s casualty numbers. Iran has been offline for more than 72 hours after authorities shut down internet access and telephone lines.

Source: Egypt Independent January 12, 2026 13:41 UTC