Norwegian rights group says Iran protest death toll may exceed 6,000

According to Financial News, Iran Human Rights (IHR), a human rights organization based in Norway, stated on the 12th (local time) that at least 648 people have been killed so far as the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran have violently suppressed protests that began late last year.
Citing reports from foreign media including Agence France-Presse (AFP), IHR confirmed that 648 people, including nine minors, have been killed, and noted that some estimates suggest the actual death toll may exceed 6,000.
Authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have cut off internet access for more than three days, making it difficult to verify the full scale of the casualties.
Human rights groups criticize the internet shutdown as an attempt to conceal the bloody crackdown.
IHR also estimates that more than 10,000 citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran who took part in the protests have been detained.
In response to the spread of anti-government demonstrations, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has called on citizens to take part in nationwide rallies in support of the Islamic Republic.
While the United States of America (U.S.) is reportedly considering military intervention against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian government has signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the U.S., a communication channel has been opened between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from The White House.
The European Union (EU) issued a statement expressing support for the protesters in the Islamic Republic of Iran and warned that additional sanctions would be imposed on Iran if the demonstrations are suppressed.

jjyoon@fnnews.com Yoon Jae-joon Reporter