On January 12, pro-government demonstrations took place in various cities across Iran, including the capital, Tehran. Iranian state media reported that approximately three million people participated in the rally in Tehran alone. However, independent analysis and available evidence indicate that the actual number of attendees was likely much lower than the figure cited by official sources.
The discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of crowd estimates provided by state-affiliated outlets. Observers note that large-scale public events in Tehran rarely reach such high attendance numbers, and visual assessments from the day do not support the claim of millions gathering in the capital.
**Why this matters**
Accurate reporting of protest sizes is important for understanding public sentiment and the scale of political support or opposition. Inflated figures can distort perceptions of legitimacy and public opinion, both domestically and internationally. Transparent and reliable information helps foster informed discussions about the political climate in Iran.
Source: NewsData