<p>The ongoing protests against the theocratic regime in Iran, which ignited late December, have seen a continuously escalating death toll. Despite reports from rights groups, obtaining an exact and verified count has been severely hampered by an internet blackout across the country, making communication and corroboration incredibly difficult.</p><p>As of January 19, two prominent human rights organizations have confirmed close to 4000 deaths. However, these groups caution that this figure is likely a significant underestimate given the restrictive information environment. The situation underscores the challenges in reporting accurately from within Iran amidst the widespread unrest and government suppression.</p>