Brutal repression of protests in recent weeks has exposed an Iranian regime that is almost out of options. And foreign interference is increasing the pressure on national unity and regional stability. In mid-January, some international organisations put the death toll at nearly 3,500. The first official death toll, published on 21 January was 3,117. In 1921 army colonel Reza Khan seized power in a coup, and four years later founded the Pahlavi dynasty.