The death toll has now reached approximately 2,000, as eyewitnesses describe the Iranian regime’s brutal actions against civilians, many of whom weren’t involved in any protests.
Shocking accounts of the violence began to surface late Monday after Iranians regained the ability to call internationally, following an internet blackout imposed by authorities as part of a harsh crackdown.
Witnesses reported that Iranian security forces on motorcycles were firing at demonstrators in Fardis, a city near Tehran. Media outlets, including a Persian report from BBC, corroborated these claims.
Unmarked police vehicles were said to be patrolling neighborhoods, targeting local residents who weren’t participating in the demonstrations, according to another witness.
“In every alley, there were two or three fatalities,” the witness recounted.
A young woman recalled that the most intense violence erupted in Tehran on Friday, describing the city as turning into a war zone.
“The forces just kept on killing. It made me queasy and totally disheartened. Friday was a day of bloodshed,” she reflected.
“In warfare, both parties have weapons, but here, people simply chant and are slaughtered. It’s a one-sided conflict.”
For the first time, Iranian officials acknowledged the high casualty figures, stating that about 2,000, including security personnel, had died.
Authorities did not differentiate between those killed, attributing some deaths to “terrorists” rather than acknowledging the violence against protesters.
Human rights organizations estimate that several hundred demonstrators were likely killed in the crackdown.
Additionally, over 10,700 individuals have been arrested amidst the unrest, according to reports from the US-based Human Rights Defenders News Agency.
The UN human rights chief expressed deep concern over the escalating violence against peaceful protesters in Iran.
“This horrifying cycle of violence must end. We need to heed the Iranian people’s demands for justice, equality, and fairness,” said Volker Turk, the Turkish High Commissioner for Human Rights.
These disturbing reports emerge following two weeks of protests fueled by the country’s economic crisis.
Amidst this turmoil, President Trump has threatened military action against the Iranian regime.
However, Iran has cautioned that any US military intervention would render both American forces and Israel “legitimate targets.”
