Iran: Protests cost Tehran 3 trillion rials, 3,117 people killed

Tehran: (Web Desk) Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency has published a detailed assessment of the damage caused during the recent unrest in the country, according to which 3,117 people have been killed. Tasnim News reported that 469 government buildings were attacked and completely destroyed by protesters, 702 bank branches were demolished or burned in eight provinces of the country, while 419 supermarkets were looted and burned. Iran’s Police Chief Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan said that arrests are ongoing in all provinces of the country and a crackdown on protesters is underway. From the first day of the protests, people involved in riots, rebellion, looting and even murder were detained. The police chief announced that operations against miscreants would continue until the last person involved in the protests was arrested. 740 police vehicles were damaged during the unrest, while 305 public transport vehicles, including buses and ambulances, were also severely damaged. Places of worship were also targeted in the recent protests in the country, with 484 mosques damaged or set on fire, the report said, adding that hundreds of other homes and vehicles were damaged. Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani estimated the damage in the capital at 30 trillion rials. According to the Tasnim news agency, the Intelligence Ministry has arrested 162 alleged riot leaders in several cities in the southern Fars province, accused of damaging public and private property. According to the agency, the detainees damaged 20 municipal buildings, 10 fire brigade vehicles, 18 ambulances, 10 public buses and 47 religious sites in Shiraz. Two AK-47 rifles, 840 bullets, five pistols and three hunting rifles were also seized during the operations. The Martyrs and Veterans Foundation of Iran announced that the recent unrest in the country The majority of those killed during the protests have been declared martyrs. The foundation said in a statement that 2,427 of the “total 3,117” deaths, including both civilians and security forces personnel, were caused by terrorist attacks. The unrest in Iran began on December 28, sparked by the sharp devaluation of the national currency and a deteriorating economic situation, and quickly escalated into nationwide anti-government protests that intensified on January 8 and 9. In response to what it described as the actions of armed terrorists, the authorities launched a massive crackdown and completely shut down the internet in the country, severely restricting and hampering independent reporting and the dissemination of verifiable information from within the country.