Residents of Tehran expressed to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Monday that the city is effectively under “de facto martial law” following a harsh crackdown on recent protests, with heavy security measures evident in the mostly quiet streets.
One resident, who left the city just days before speaking to RFE/RL, described the situation at night as an atmosphere akin to martial law. “The military stops cars at random and checks everything, including cell phones. They even request people to unlock their phones,” they noted.
This person revealed that security forces are scrutinizing citizens’ social media use and photo galleries for any evidence of protest participation.
The streets of Tehran are now patrolled by military and paramilitary forces, such as the notorious Basij repression unit, with plainclothes officers entering homes in search of suspected protesters.
A report from the Wall Street Journal indicated that Basij members were riding motorbikes, shouting threats like, “Don’t come out! We’ll shoot you!” through loudspeakers. Additionally, police have warned civilians to keep away from windows to avoid voicing anti-regime sentiments from the safety of their apartments.
This atmosphere of fear has led many residents to adhere to a voluntary curfew, opting to stay indoors during the night.
Kaveh Kermanshahi, an activist from the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, told RFE/RL that the military presence is so pervasive that many locals are speaking of a military rule. While civilian movement is not outright banned, it is closely monitored.
Reports from several cities outside Tehran indicate a strong presence of armed security forces, particularly in western Iran. It appears the regime is bolstering its military by recruiting mercenaries from Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, potentially increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations with civilians.
The newspaper noted that universities in Tehran remain closed to prevent student gatherings, and most shops and malls are shut. Armed forces have taken control of the city center, and public assemblies are swiftly dispersed.
One individual, managing to survive the regime’s internet blackout, remarked, “We are hostages in our own country. We can hardly tell what’s happening on the next street, let alone in another city.”
Officials in Iran claim that at least 5,000 individuals were killed during the protests’ suppression, though some human rights organizations suggest that the actual number could be significantly higher. There are concerns that the regime may continue executing many of the thousands arrested during the protests.
