Iran admits roughly 2,000 killed in protests as authorities disclose the magnitude of the clampdown

According to an Iranian official, approximately 2,000 individuals, including security personnel, have been killed in the recent protests in Iran.

This is the first time authorities have acknowledged the high death toll resulting from the intense crackdown on two weeks of nationwide unrest.

The official, who spoke to Reuters, stated that what he termed as terrorists were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security personnel. However, the official did not provide a detailed breakdown of the casualties.

The unrest, which was sparked by dire economic conditions, has presented the biggest internal challenge to Iranian authorities in at least three years.

It comes amid intensifying international pressure following Israeli and U.S. strikes last year. Iran’s clerical authorities, who have been in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, have taken a dual approach to the demonstrations.

They have acknowledged the legitimacy of protests over economic problems while enforcing a harsh security crackdown. The authorities have accused the U.S. and Israel of fomenting unrest and claimed that unnamed individuals they term terrorists have hijacked the protests.

A rights group had previously reported hundreds of fatalities and thousands of arrests. The imposition of communications restrictions, including an internet blackout, has hindered the flow of information in recent days.

Videos of nighttime clashes between demonstrators and security forces, including several verified by Reuters, have depicted violent confrontations involving gunfire and burning cars and buildings.