Iran says 3,117 died in protests in first official toll. Activists fear it’s much higher

Iran offered its first government-issued death toll on Wednesday following a crackdown on nationwide protests, giving a far lower figure than activists abroad as the country’s theocracy tries to reassert control after unrest recalling the chaos surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution.State television carried statements by the Interior Ministry and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, an official body providing services to families of those killed in wars, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began December 28 were civilians and security forces. It did not elaborate on the rest. Iran’s government in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the death toll early Thursday was at least 4,902, with many more feared dead. The human rights group has been accurate throughout the years on demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities. Other groups similarly have offered higher numbers than the Iranian government tally.Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part due to authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country. Iran also reportedly has limited journalists’ ability locally to report on the aftermath, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as “rioters” motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.A photograph taken during a tour for foreign media shows buses that were burnt at a depot during protests, in Tehran. Photo: AFPMeanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued his most-direct threat yet to the United States, warning the Islamic Republic will be “firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack”.The comments came as Araghchi saw his invitation to the World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded over the killings, and as a US aircraft carrier group moved west towards the Middle East from Asia. US fighter jets and other equipment appeared to be moving in the Mideast after a major US military deployment in the Caribbean saw troops seize Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.