​​​​ISTANBUL 

The death toll from protests in Iran has risen to 42, the Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Wednesday

The report published on the website of the US-based group said demonstrations have lasted for 12 straight days.

It said protests took place in all 31 provinces, resulting in the deaths of 34 protesters and eight members of security forces.

Demonstrations also left dozens injured and 2,217 detained.

The injuries were largely caused by pellet shots and plastic bullets, according to the report.

Authorities have not issued a statement regarding those killed or injured.

Large-scale protests began late Thursday in all provinces, and internet and phone service were also cut off, according to NetBlocks and media reports.

In major cities like Tehran, as well as Mashhad and Shiraz, widespread involvement was seen for the first time.

Low-intensity protests also began in Turkish-majority provinces such as Tabriz and Ardabil.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US will hit Iran “very hard” if it starts killing protestors. “If they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots, they have lots of riots. If they do it, we're going to hit them very hard,” said Trump.

Iran has been rocked by widespread protests since late last month because of a deteriorating economy and the rapid depreciation of the rial, which has crossed 1,350,000 against the dollar.