Dhaka, Jan. 13 -- Thousands of people are feared dead following a severe crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran, as families abroad receive harrowing reports from those still inside the country.

Describing the situation in their first calls home in several days, Iranians have spoken of extensive death and destruction.

An Iranian security official has told a news agency that the death toll could be around 2,000 people, including security personnel.

Human rights groups have raised alarms over reports that one protester, Erfan Soltani, is due to be executed tomorrow, with some describing the case as unprecedented in its speed.

Protests have been ongoing for several weeks. State media claimed that demonstrations had calmed last nig...