Relatives of Iranians killed during protests in January have publicly rejected claims by Iranian officials that demonstrators were armed and supported by foreign governments, asserting that their loved ones were unarmed and acting independently.

During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that protesters had been incited and armed by the United States and Israel. He emphasized that the protests, which have persisted for seven months, involved citizens defending Iran against foreign-backed elements seeking to create instability. Pezeshkian asserted that the people remain the country’s primary source of power.

Tehran reports that 3,117 individuals, including some security personnel, lost their lives during the unrest and attributes these deaths to foreign-backed rioters. However, this account has been contested by survivors, human rights groups, and an independent UN inquiry. The UN investigation, released recently, did not establish a definitive death toll but suggested the actual number of casualties was likely substantially higher than official figures. The report also found reasonable grounds to believe that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity, including unlawful killings. Some human rights organizations estimate that as many as 30,000 people may have died.

Family members of victims have taken to social media to refute government allegations. The sister of 22-year-old Sina Kazemi, who disappeared on January 8, stated that her brother was unarmed at the time of his death and was not acting on behalf of any foreign government. Kazemi’s body was recovered after six days of searching in Kahrizak, with his death certificate indicating he died the night he went missing. Medical examinations revealed bruises and wounds consistent with assault, his hands appeared to have been bound, and he had been shot from behind.

A similar statement came from the sister of Babak Sadeghi Mohseni, who was reportedly killed by security forces on January 9. His body was found days later, according to human rights sources. Numerous other relatives of those killed during the protests have shared comparable accounts, emphasizing that their family members were unarmed protesters expressing their own dissent rather than foreign agents.

The conflicting narratives underscore the ongoing dispute over the true nature of the protests and the government’s response, with international scrutiny continuing over alleged human rights violations in Iran.