India, Feb. 13 -- The death toll from the Iranian crackdown over the Islamic Republic's nationwide protests last month has reached at least 7,002 people killed, with many more still feared dead.

The latest figures are according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The HRANA relies on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths.

Iran's government offered its only death toll on January 21, saying 3,117 people were killed.

HT could not independently verify the death toll numbers.

The rise in the death toll comes as Iran tries to negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program.

The rise in the number of dead from the demonstrations adds to the overall tensions facing Iran, both inside the country and abroad, ...