The number of protesters killed during the ongoing demonstrations in Iran has risen to more than 500, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
HRANA reports that at least 503 protesters have been killed over just over two weeks of nationwide anti-government protests. The demonstrations have spread across multiple cities, reflecting growing public anger toward the Iranian authorities.
However, the full scale of the casualties remains unclear, as Iranian authorities have imposed severe restrictions on internet access and telephone communications, making independent verification difficult.
CNN noted that it has not been able to independently confirm the death toll reported by HRANA, highlighting the challenges journalists face in obtaining reliable information from inside Iran under current conditions.
The situation continues to draw international concern, with human rights organizations warning that the actual number of victims may be significantly higher than reported.
