India, Jan. 13 -- Iran is facing intense global scrutiny as sharply conflicting figures emerge over the death toll from its ongoing nationwide protests. While an Iranian official has acknowledged that around 2,000 people have been killed so far, opposition-linked reports claim the actual number could be as high as 12,000, triggering alarm over what many describe as a deliberate information blackout.

The protests, now stretching into their third week, began over deepening economic hardship, soaring inflation, and political grievances. They have since evolved into one of the most serious domestic challenges to Iran's leadership in recent years.

An Iranian official recently stated that around 2,000 people, including civilians and members o...