Amid a near-total internet and communication blackout now entering its third week, reports of a brutal government crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran are trickling out, with death toll estimates ranging from several thousand to over 20,000. As the information vacuum deepens, U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed threats of military action, announcing a "massive fleet" is heading toward the region.

The protests, which began in late December over economic grievances and calls for political change, have persisted despite a severe government response. On January 8, authorities severed almost all internet access and blocked international phone calls, making independent verification of events extraordinarily difficult.

Conflicting casualty figures have emerged. The Iranian government, which has historically underreported protest deaths, claims 3,117 have been killed, including security personnel. However, international human rights groups cite significantly higher numbers. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), known for accurate past reporting, states over 5,000 have died and more than 26,800 have been arrested. The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights has verified at least 3,428 deaths. Some estimates from other organizations exceed 20,000.

"This exceeds all other protests or unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution," HRANA reported, noting that not all casualties were protesters, with women and children among the dead.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk on Friday urged Tehran to end its "brutal repression," condemning a pattern of "subjugation and overwhelming force." His statement came as Iranian state TV announced 200 further arrests in western and southern provinces.

On the international front, President Trump escalated tensions, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, "We have a massive fleet heading in that direction… just in case." He warned that any future U.S. military action would make previous strikes "look like peanuts," while asserting, "We're watching Iran."

The Pentagon has not confirmed the fleet movements, but the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is reportedly in the Indian Ocean en route to the Middle East.

Iran's military responded with defiance. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accused of leading the crackdown, stated it has its "finger on the trigger." General Mohammad Pakpour warned the U.S. and Israel to "avoid any miscalculations," or face a "painful and regrettable fate." Another senior commander declared all U.S. interests would become "legitimate targets" if attacked.