Iran: 'Thousands dead'

THE death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has spiked to at least 2,000, activists said.

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It comes as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days on Tuesday after authorities severed communications during a crackdown.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest toll.

It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information.

The group said 1,847 of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated.

Another nine children were killed, and nine civilians it said were not taking part in protests also were killed.

With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult.