Iran releases official death toll after recent protests and riots

Iranian state TV on Wednesday issued the first official death toll from recent protests, saying 3,117 people were killed.

Iranian television carried statements by the Interior Ministry and the Martyrs Foundation, an official body providing services to families of those killed in wars.

It said 2,427 of the dead from the protests that began on December 28 were civilians and security forces. It did not elaborate on the rest.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the death toll was at least 4,560.