Iran's government has announced the formation of an investigative commission to address the bloody protests that erupted late last year, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities. According to government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, the commission will gather documents and listen to testimonies to establish the facts surrounding the events. While it remains unclear whether the investigation will focus primarily on the economic demands that triggered the protests or also investigate the human casualties, the government assured that a public report will be released at the end of the process, followed by potential legal actions.

President Masoud Pezeshkian’s comments, shared on the government’s website, indicated a commitment to exploring the causes of the unrest, but he did not provide specific details on how the investigation would be conducted. The protests, which began in late December and intensified significantly by January 8, were precipitated by rising economic grievances. Official projections set the death toll at over 3,000, with government sources claiming that the majority of those killed were security personnel or civilians inadvertently caught in the violence, allegedly resulting from acts of aggression by foreign entities, including Israel and the US.

This announcement reflects a critical moment for the Iranian government as it seeks to manage public sentiment and accountability following one of the deadliest episodes of civil unrest in recent history. The establishment of such a commission may also be seen as an attempt to placate international scrutiny and domestic dissent by demonstrating a willingness to address the souring socio-economic conditions in the country, although skepticism and trepidation remain regarding the outcomes of such investigations in an authoritarian context.