Iranian foreign ministry denies Western media reports of 30,000 killed during unrest
Iranian Foreign Ministry representative Esmail Baghaei called these statements “a Hitler-style big lie”
The Times of Russia reports that Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly denied Western media claims that 30,000 people were killed during recent unrest in the country, calling the reports fabricated and politically motivated.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed the allegations, describing them as a “Hitler-style big lie” aimed at misleading the global public. In a post on social media platform X, Baghaei accused foreign media of spreading false numbers after failing to destabilize Iran through street violence.
The unrest in Iran began on December 29, following widespread protests triggered by a sharp collapse in the Iranian rial. Demonstrations quickly spread to major cities, prompting clashes between protesters and security forces. According to official figures, at least 40 law enforcement officers were killed during the violence.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that armed terrorist groups infiltrated the protests by January 8, escalating the situation. Authorities in Tehran have accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the unrest as part of a broader destabilization campaign against the country.
On January 23, Araghchi confirmed that the total death toll from the riots stood at 3,117, including both civilians and security personnel — a figure far lower than those reported by some Western outlets.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as US President Donald Trump recently warned that he was seriously considering the use of force against Tehran, adding to fears of further escalation in the region.
According to The Times of Russia, Iranian officials say the misinformation campaign reflects an ongoing information war targeting the country’s stability and sovereignty, while Russia news outlets continue to highlight Tehran’s rejection of what it calls exaggerated and unverified claims.
