DUBAI — More than 3,000 people have died in Iran’s nationwide protests, rights activists said today, while a “very slight rise” in internet activity was reported in the country after an eight-day blackout.

The US-based HRANA group said it had verified 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters, after residents said the crackdown appeared to have broadly quelled protests for now and state media reported more arrests.

The Iranian government has blamed much of the violence on people it says are armed rioters posing as protesters, labelling them “terrorists” and claiming that Israel and the US were behind organising them and responsible for many of the deaths of demonstrators and security forces.

The capital Tehran has been comparatively quiet for four days, said several residents reached by Reuters. Drones were flying over the city, but there were no signs of major protests on Thursday or yesterday, said the residents, who asked not to be identified for their safety.