Gunfire erupted in Tehran on Tuesday as heavily armed militias moved throughout the city, transforming certain districts into heavily fortified zones under strict security measures.
Footage captured showed government buildings, media outlets, and major intersections heavily guarded, with automatic weapons firing as night fell. Armored pickup trucks and masked fighters were seen reportedly patrolling the streets, suggesting a military presence.
The vehicles, outfitted with heavy machine guns, showcased armed individuals moving in organized formations, firing into the darkness. One video even captured the sound of a large-caliber gun echoing down a city street.
According to Ali Safavi, a senior member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), “Dozens of Toyota vehicles armed with heavy weapons are now deployed in Tehran.” He suggested these forces have ties to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, noting that their commanders communicate in Persian.
Safavi explained that the Iranian government is increasingly leveraging foreign proxies to maintain its grip on the capital. “Currently, they are bringing in at least 5,000 foreign fighters from Iraq and Hezbollah to manage control in Tehran,” he stated.
Despite the security clampdown, violent confrontations persisted into the night, with ongoing clashes between demonstrators and special forces. HRANA, a human rights group, reported it was the 24th day of widespread protests, marking significant unrest amid ongoing communication blackouts.
As of their latest update, they noted confirmed deaths from the protests had reached over 4,500, while nearly 9,000 additional fatalities remained under investigation. The number of injured exceeded 5,800, and over 26,000 arrests had taken place. The report highlighted an overwhelming security presence, especially after darkness fell, which they described as creating an atmosphere of fear.
The protests initially sparked on December 28, primarily due to economic issues and dissent against the clerical government. Despite brutal crackdowns, participants have continued to demonstrate, sometimes defying overwhelming firepower.
Safavi cited allegations of Revolutionary Guard troops attacking a hospital in Gorgan, leading to the deaths of injured patients while snipers reportedly fired from rooftops. He claimed that approximately 76 bodies were taken to a warehouse, with the military denying families the ability to bury them, seemingly to avoid drawing attention.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has regularly blamed foreign adversaries for the protests while supporting a harsh response from the Revolutionary Guards. Meanwhile, President Trump issued a warning about potential consequences resulting from threats issued by Iranian leaders, stating that these actions could lead to extreme retaliation.
Conversely, the future president of the NCRI, Mariam Rajavi, dismissed external military intervention as a method for regime change. “We cannot defeat this regime through foreign conflict,” she commented. She emphasized the need for a robust national resistance movement, grounded in active forces within Iranian cities to combat the Revolutionary Guards, which she labeled one of the most brutal organizations worldwide.
Gunfire erupted in Tehran on Tuesday as heavily armed militias moved throughout the city, transforming certain districts into heavily fortified zones under strict security measures.
Footage captured showed government buildings, media outlets, and major intersections heavily guarded, with automatic weapons firing as night fell. Armored pickup trucks and masked fighters were seen reportedly patrolling the streets, suggesting a military presence.
The vehicles, outfitted with heavy machine guns, showcased armed individuals moving in organized formations, firing into the darkness. One video even captured the sound of a large-caliber gun echoing down a city street.
According to Ali Safavi, a senior member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), “Dozens of Toyota vehicles armed with heavy weapons are now deployed in Tehran.” He suggested these forces have ties to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, noting that their commanders communicate in Persian.
Safavi explained that the Iranian government is increasingly leveraging foreign proxies to maintain its grip on the capital. “Currently, they are bringing in at least 5,000 foreign fighters from Iraq and Hezbollah to manage control in Tehran,” he stated.
Despite the security clampdown, violent confrontations persisted into the night, with ongoing clashes between demonstrators and special forces. HRANA, a human rights group, reported it was the 24th day of widespread protests, marking significant unrest amid ongoing communication blackouts.
As of their latest update, they noted confirmed deaths from the protests had reached over 4,500, while nearly 9,000 additional fatalities remained under investigation. The number of injured exceeded 5,800, and over 26,000 arrests had taken place. The report highlighted an overwhelming security presence, especially after darkness fell, which they described as creating an atmosphere of fear.
The protests initially sparked on December 28, primarily due to economic issues and dissent against the clerical government. Despite brutal crackdowns, participants have continued to demonstrate, sometimes defying overwhelming firepower.
Safavi cited allegations of Revolutionary Guard troops attacking a hospital in Gorgan, leading to the deaths of injured patients while snipers reportedly fired from rooftops. He claimed that approximately 76 bodies were taken to a warehouse, with the military denying families the ability to bury them, seemingly to avoid drawing attention.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has regularly blamed foreign adversaries for the protests while supporting a harsh response from the Revolutionary Guards. Meanwhile, President Trump issued a warning about potential consequences resulting from threats issued by Iranian leaders, stating that these actions could lead to extreme retaliation.
Conversely, the future president of the NCRI, Mariam Rajavi, dismissed external military intervention as a method for regime change. “We cannot defeat this regime through foreign conflict,” she commented. She emphasized the need for a robust national resistance movement, grounded in active forces within Iranian cities to combat the Revolutionary Guards, which she labeled one of the most brutal organizations worldwide.
