TEHRAN ( WNAM MONITORING): Iran released figures Friday detailing the scale of damage and casualties during recent nationwide protests, in remarks framed as a response to comments by US Vice President JD Vance on dealing with unrest.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared the figures on US social media company X, describing the protests as the “mayhem of a recent terrorist operation” inside Iran.
Araghchi said the unrest caused widespread damage to public and private property, including 305 ambulances and buses, 24 gas stations, 700 convenience stores, 300 private homes, 750 banks, 414 government buildings, 749 police stations, 120 Basij centers, 200 schools, 350 mosques, 15 libraries and two Armenian churches.
He added that 253 bus stations, 600 ATMs and 800 private vehicles were also damaged.
Araghchi said the death toll hit 3,117, including 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces, while 690 were identified as “terrorists.”
The minister’s remarks came after Vance, addressing protests Thursday in the US city of Minneapolis, said Washington’s approach was “very simple,” warning that those who storm churches or assault federal officers would be sent to prison.
“Respect people’s rights to worship and to do their job without being assaulted,” said Vance, adding that authorities would use “every resource of the federal government” against violent protesters.
Iranian officials said the unrest in the country differs fundamentally from peaceful demonstrations, portraying it instead as coordinated violence targeting public institutions and security forces.
The casualty figures released by authorities differ from those reported by rights groups.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said Thursday that the death toll had risen to 5,002.
According to data compiled by the organization, at least 26,752 people had been arrested as of the 26th day of nationwide demonstrations, while 7,391 sustained severe injuries.
Authorities have not commented on the HRANA figures.
Iran has been rocked by waves of protests since Dec. 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar because of the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions, before spreading to several other cities.
Officials have accused the US and Israel of backing “armed rioters” who carried out attacks on public facilities nationwide.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that Washington would “hit hard” if protesters were killed, though he later praised Tehran for reportedly canceling hundreds of scheduled executions.
