16 January 2026 :
January 15, 2026 - IRAN. Hrana Report on 19th day of Protests: 2,677 dead
Emergency UN Security Council Meeting and Continued Nationwide Internet Shutdown
According to HRANA’s latest updates, as of the time of this report, the number of confirmed deaths has reached at least 2,677, with 1,693 additional cases still under investigation. The number of people with severe injuries has also been reported as 2,677, while the number of detainees stands at 19,097. At the same time, an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Iran was held. The U.S. government also raised reports regarding the suspension of the implementation of 800 planned execution sentences.
On the nineteenth day of the protests, efforts toward crisis diplomacy and an intensification of international reactions to the crackdown were observed, from the UN Security Council meeting to sanctions and consular warnings. Domestically, the continued nationwide internet shutdown remains the most significant barrier to access to information and independent verification. Meanwhile, the authorities, emphasizing swift judicial action and presenting official narratives regarding the causes of fatalities, are attempting to manage mounting international pressure.
Disruption of Communications
Since January 8, reports have indicated widespread internet outages across Iran. According to various sources, this measure, implemented alongside intensified security crackdowns and a growing wave of arrests, has severely restricted citizens’ access to information and their ability to communicate with the outside world.
In its latest assessments, NetBlocks announced that Iran has been experiencing an internet shutdown for more than 168 hours. The consequences of this situation reportedly range from disruptions to access to essential services and family communications to increased difficulty in independent reporting and on-the-ground documentation.
At the same time, reports have also emerged of disruptions extending beyond the internet. In some areas, the shutdown of telephone lines, including landlines, has been reported, expanding the scope of communication restrictions from the “internet” to “basic communications.”
International Reactions
An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Iran was held at the request of the United States. Media coverage of the meeting referenced allegations related to the course of the crackdown as well as judicial rulings, while reports also emerged of new U.S. sanctions imposed on five Iranian officials described as being responsible for the “deadly suppression of protesters.”
At the level of official U.S. positions, the White House spokesperson stated that Iran, “under U.S. pressure,” had halted the implementation of 800 execution sentences, claiming that the process of “killings and executions” had been stopped. In this context, U.S. officials emphasized that they are “closely monitoring” developments and warned of the consequences of continued repression.
As the crisis has intensified, several governments have issued warnings to their citizens regarding travel or presence in Iran. Among them, New Zealand’s foreign minister urged citizens to leave Iran if possible. It has also been reported that the Canadian government announced the death of a Canadian citizen in Iran, while Switzerland expressed concern over the situation of a dual national.
Government Responses
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, claimed in a letter to the UN Security Council that the protests had turned into a “planned effort by terrorist groups,” while simultaneously highlighting the deaths of government forces. He also accused certain countries of “interference” and called on the Saudi government to condemn such actions.
Separately, in response to international coverage regarding the situation of detainees, Iran’s judiciary announced that the charges attributed to an individual named “Erfan Soltani”, about whom reports had circulated claiming he had been sentenced to death by an unusual court, do not, in fact, carry the death penalty. This issue was also reflected during coverage of the Security Council meeting.
According to HRANA’s latest updated data as of the time of publication of this report:
- Total number of recorded protests: 618
- Cities involved (no repetition): 187 cities
- Provinces involved (no repetition): 31 provinces
- Total confirmed deaths: 2,677
- Deaths under investigation: 1,693
- Breakdown of recorded fatalities:
2,478 protesters
16 minors (under 18 years old)
163 individuals affiliated with the government (military and non-military)
20 non-protesting civilians
- Individuals with severe injuries: 2,677
- Total detainees / identified individuals: 19,097
(including 169 individuals under 18 years old and 52 students) - Broadcast forced confessions: 115 cases
Conclusion
The nineteenth day of protests was marked by a strong focus on international follow-up at the UN Security Council, alongside the continued nationwide internet shutdown. HRANA’s latest statistical data indicates a continued upward trend in fatalities, arrests, and forced confessions. At the diplomatic level, warnings and sanctions have intensified, while Iranian officials have continued to adopt defensive positions and level accusations.
