Rights activists from Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) have reported that the death toll from recent protests in Iran has surpassed 7,000. In a separate development, an 18-year-old demonstrator named Saleh Mohammadi has been sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly killing a police officer during a protest in Qom on January 8. According to the organization, the court disregarded Mohammadi's claims that his confession was obtained under torture, emphasizing the grave nature of his sentence.

IHRNGO’s director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam stated that the Iranian regime is attempting to instill fear in society through public executions of arrested protesters. Mohammadi's death sentence symbolizes a dangerous escalation in the government's crackdown on dissent, especially in the context of mass killings of protesters that have occurred in recent months. The regime's harsh measures are seen as an effort to suppress growing unrest fueled by rising living costs and demands for political reforms.

The ongoing protests, initially sparked by economic grievances, have morphed into a broader movement against the government’s oppressive measures. The alarming number of deaths further highlights the intensity of the situation, where thousands have lost their lives. The use of severe punishments, such as death sentences, indicates a strategic attempt by the regime to quell dissent and maintain control amidst rising public discontent.