Around 2,000 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in the ongoing protests across Iran, a senior government official said on Tuesday. This marks the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll since launching a harsh crackdown to control nationwide unrest that has continued for nearly two weeks.

Speaking to Reuters, the Iranian official claimed that the deaths of both protesters and security personnel were caused by what he described as “terrorist elements.” However, he did not provide a clear breakdown of how many of those killed were civilians and how many were members of the security services.

The unrest erupted amid severe economic hardship, and is believed to be the most serious internal challenge faced by Iran’s leadership in the past three years.

Iran has already been under intense international pressure following last year’s confrontation with Israel and U.S. military strikes.

Since coming to power after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s religious establishment has adopted a dual approach toward the current protests. While officials publicly acknowledge that demonstrations driven by economic grievances are “legitimate,” security forces have responded with forceful suppression on the ground.

The Iranian government has accused the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest, insisting that so-called “terrorist groups” have taken control of the movement.

Earlier, a human rights organization reported that hundreds of people were killed and thousands arrested during the protests. Information has been difficult to verify due to widespread communication restrictions, including internet shutdowns imposed by authorities in recent days.

Over the past week, multiple videos have circulated showing night-time clashes between protesters and security forces, featuring gunfire, arson attacks on vehicles, and buildings set ablaze.