An Iranian general has admitted more than 300 people have been killed in the unrest surrounding nationwide protests, providing the first official word on casualties in two months.
Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said on Monday more than 300 people have been killed, including “martyrs” — an apparent reference to security forces personnel.
He suggested many of those killed were Iranians not involved in the protests.
Gen Hajizadeh did not provide an exact figure or say where his estimate came from.
Iran has been gripped by protests since the death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in custody in September. She had been detained by the morality police in Tehran for wearing her hijab “improperly”.
The unrest has turned into a popular revolt by Iranians from all parts of society, posing one of the boldest challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Gen Hajizadeh repeated the official claim that the protests have been fomented by the West and Saudi Arabia, without providing evidence.
His estimate is lower than the toll reported by US-based group Human Rights Activists in Iran.
It claims 451 protesters and 60 security forces have been killed since the start of the unrest and that more than 18,000 people have been detained.
Last week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights put the death toll at around 300.
Iranian rapper and regime critic Toomaj Salehi could face the death penalty after being charged with “corruption on earth”, a judiciary official said on Sunday.
The official confirmed the charge to state-affiliated media, but denied claims from rights groups that his trial had started.
Salehi is also charged with spreading propaganda against the regime, an accusation commonly levelled against critics of the government.
In pictures — Iran protests at World Cup
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Security staff speak with fans holding up a shirt with the name of Mahsa Amini, and a flag advocating for women's rights, during the World Cup match between Wales and Iran in Doha, Qatar. Getty Images -
A security officer, right, interacts with an Iran supporter who displayed a shirt that read 'Mahsa Amini 22', in memory of the Iranian woman who died while in police custody in Iran. AP -
People have continued demonstrating in Iran and around the world over the death of Amini in September. AP -
A supporter of Iran's football team, with make-up resembling bloody tears, holds a football jersey with Amini's name, at the stadium in Doha. AFP -
Division over Iran’s protests cast a shadow over Iran’s second match at the World Cup. AFP -
Security staff speak with Iran fans. Some fans were stopped by stadium security from bringing in Persian pre-revolutionary flags to the match against Wales. Getty Images -
Fans before the match. Getty Images -
Many in the stands came adorned with clothing emblazoned with the "Women, Life, Freedom" slogan. Getty Images
Meanwhile, a US push for Iran to be removed from a UN women's equality body will be voted on December 14, diplomats said on Monday.
The US is lobbying for Iran to be punished over its denial of women's rights and its crackdown on protests.
Washington circulated a draft resolution on the move on Monday. It condemns Iran's policies as “flagrantly contrary to the human rights of women and girls and to the mandate of the Commission on the Status of Women”, Reuters reported.
Iran has just started a four-year term on the 45-member commission, which meets every March and aims to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.
The US-drafted resolution would “remove with immediate effect” Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women for the rest of the 2022 to 2026 term.
The 54-member UN Economic and Social Council will vote on whether to remove Iran.
“The US and others have been actively working the phones to garner support to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women,” a UN diplomat told Reuters.
“It seems like they're making traction — including with some initially hesitant countries.”
The UN Rights Council last week voted to appoint an independent investigation into Iran's repression of protests, passing the motion to cheers of activists.
Iran accused western countriesof using the council to target Iran in an “appalling and disgraceful” move.
