Iran Announces "3,117 Protest Deaths" in First Official Tally, Far Below Rights Groups’ Estimates

[Financial News] Authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have officially put the number of people killed in the recent protests over economic hardship at 3,117. This is the first time since the unrest began that the government has released an official death toll.
On the 21st (local time), The Associated Press (AP) reported that Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) cited the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs in announcing that a total of 3,117 people died during the protests. Of these, 2,427 were classified as "martyr" members of the security forces and "innocent civilians." The authorities did not provide any detailed explanation about the remaining deaths that were not counted as either security personnel or civilians.
This figure is the first official tally released by Iranian authorities since the protests began on the 28th of last month. However, it is lower than the estimates previously compiled by overseas human rights groups and foreign media.
The previous day, the United States of America (US)-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) stated that, as of the 24th day of the protests, 4,519 people had been killed in total, including 4,251 demonstrators. It said only 197 of the dead were members of the security forces involved in the crackdown. HRANA added that it is still verifying an additional 9,049 reported deaths.
Earlier, on the 19th, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) said it had confirmed the deaths of 3,428 protesters. It also announced that the real number of victims was likely far higher and declared that it would suspend further counting.
The opposition outlet Iran International has estimated the death toll at around 12,000. CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS), citing its own sources, has reported that as many as 20,000 people may have been killed.
As anti-government slogans spread and protests intensified nationwide, the Iranian authorities cut off internet access and communications across the country on the 8th and launched a harsh crackdown. Analysts say that demonstrations in many parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran largely subsided around the 12th.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter