ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – More than 3,000 people have been killed as a result of the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on the recent nationwide protests, with thousands of other deaths currently pending confirmation, a rights monitor reported on Saturday.

Iran has been engulfed in nationwide protests since late last year, as business owners and shopkeepers at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar went on strike and staged demonstrations over the falling value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. 

The unrest later spread to other provinces, with chants increasingly targeting the state, prompting a harsh crackdown by authorities. 

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that “the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 3,090, with 3,882 additional cases still under review” as a result of the recent crackdown on protests in Iran, with more than 2,000 people “seriously injured,” and over 22,000 arrested.

Iranian authorities have cut communication services and imposed a nationwide internet blackout since January 8, which accompanied more violent measures against the protesters, despite claiming earlier that they would adopt a softer approach.

The Iranian government often cuts internet access during unrest, making it significantly difficult to obtain information, especially on the crackdowns.

Additionally, the watchdog reported the “execution of at least 52 prisoners in 42 different prisons” since the protests began, noting that most of the executions were carried out between January 5 and 14, when the crackdown was at its peak.

Most of the sentences were carried out on “murder” charges.

The Iranian state has warned that it will show no leniency toward protesters it labels “rioters,” portraying them as “foreign agents” and “terrorist elements” working with the West.

After repeatedly threatening Iranian authorities with possible military intervention if protesters were killed, US President Donald Trump said Washington would “take very strong action” if Iran began executing protesters. He later claimed that Tehran had “canceled the hanging of over 800” people and halted the crackdown. 

US officials have said Washington is closely monitoring the situation and that all options remain on the table.

Iran’s judiciary chief on Wednesday ordered authorities to “expedite” the cases of protesters.

The Islamic republic has a long history of imposing harsh sentences on protesters, with charges including “corruption on Earth” (efsad-e fel-arz), “enmity against God” (moharebeh), and “armed rebellion against the state” (baghi).

In a rare update, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Fars News reported early Saturday that SMS messaging had been temporarily restored in the country.

Fars News reported earlier authorities are considering a phased restoration plan, beginning with text messaging, followed by access to the national internet and domestic messaging services, and eventually the return of international internet access.

Tehran’s use of force against protesters has been heavily condemned by the international community, with Amnesty International saying the crackdown has turned into “mass killings.”