The numbers don't add up. As of this week, Iran says 3,000. Human rights groups say at least 6,000, maybe 22,000. Some doctors claim 30,000 or more. Someone's lying, exaggerating, or just doesn't know. Probably all three. The protests started simple enough. On December 28, Tehran's bazaar merchants closed shop as Iran 's currency collapsed. Within days, demonstrations spread nationwide, all 31 provinces, morphing from economic anger into demands for regime change. Then came the crackdown.