Human rights activists announced that more than 3,000 people have been killed in the protests sweeping Iran, while a very slight increase in internet activity was recorded in the country after an eight day shutdown.

The US based organization Hrana said it had verified the deaths of 3,090 people, including 2,885 protesters, as residents reported that the crackdown appears to have largely suppressed the demonstrations for the time being. State media, meanwhile, reported further arrests.

Several residents contacted by Reuters said the capital, Tehran, has seen relative calm for the past four days. The residents, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, reported drones flying over the city but said there were no signs of major protests on Thursday or Friday.

A resident of a northern city near the Caspian Sea also said the streets there appeared calm.