The death toll from a government crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran climbed to at least 2,571 early Wednesday, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, as some Iranians were able to place phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications during the unrest.

The toll — which the group said includes at least 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated personnel, 12 children, and 9 civilians not participating in demonstrations, with more than 18,100 people detained — exceeds four times the death count recorded during the entire monthslong 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, reached in roughly two weeks after demonstrations began in late December.

“We’re horrified, but we still think the number is conservative,” said Skylar Thompson of the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

The demonstrations began in late December in anger over Iran’s ailing economy and soon targeted the theocracy, particularly 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Images obtained by the Associated Press from demonstrations in Tehran showed graffiti and chants calling for Khamenei’s death — conduct that could carry a death sentence under Iranian law.

Iranian state television offered the government’s first public acknowledgment of the deaths, quoting an unidentified official saying the country had “a lot of martyrs.” State television also read a statement announcing that mortuary and morgue services were free — a signal, the AP reported, that some had charged high fees for the release of bodies during the crackdown.

Trump signals support, then hedges

U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform urging Iranian protesters: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” In a subsequent post he wrote: “I have canceled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”

Hours later, Trump told reporters his administration was awaiting an accurate report on the number of protesters killed before acting. “It would seem to me that they have been badly misbehaving, but that is not confirmed,” Trump said of Iranian security forces.

Iranian officials again warned Trump against taking action. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, responded to U.S. statements by writing: “We declare the names of the main killers of the people of Iran: 1- Trump 2-” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranians reach out; world can’t reach in

Several Iranians in Tehran were able to call the Associated Press on Tuesday and speak to a journalist, though the AP bureau in Dubai was unable to call those numbers back. Witnesses said text messaging remained down, and internet users in Iran could connect only to government-approved domestic websites.

Witnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal described a heavy security presence: police stationed at major intersections, plainclothes officials stopping passersby at random, and anti-riot officers in helmets and body armor carrying batons, shields, shotguns, and tear gas launchers.

Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, the witnesses said. Shops were open in the capital on Tuesday, though foot traffic was sparse.

“My customers talk about Trump’s reaction while wondering if he plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic,” said Mahmoud, a Tehran shopkeeper who gave only his first name out of concern for his safety. “I don’t expect Trump or any other foreign country cares about the interests of Iranians.”

Reza, a taxi driver who also gave only his first name, described a city living with uncertainty. “People — particularly young ones — are hopeless, but they talk about continuing the protests,” he said.

Authorities in northern Tehran reportedly raided apartment buildings in search of Starlink satellite internet terminals. While satellite dishes are illegal in Iran, enforcement had broadly lapsed in recent years.

Separately, activists said Starlink was offering free service in Iran. “We can confirm that the free subscription for Starlink terminals is fully functional,” said Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who has helped bring the units into the country. “We tested it using a newly activated Starlink terminal inside Iran.” Starlink did not immediately acknowledge the decision.