Iran has witnessed a violent escalation in its crackdown on nationwide protests that began nearly a year ago, as security forces have reportedly shifted from using non-lethal methods to live ammunition against demonstrators. The unrest, which spread across multiple provinces including Lorestan, Qom, Shiraz, Kermanshah, and Alborz, has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread reports of severe human rights abuses.

Since the protests erupted, security forces, including the Basij paramilitary, have used harsh tactics to suppress dissent. Eyewitness accounts and footage reveal protesters suffering gunshot wounds, some inflicted with live rounds aimed directly at them. In Lorestan, a man was filmed with a severe leg injury reportedly caused by live fire, while others described being fired upon at close range. Families of injured demonstrators have faced dire conditions, often unable to seek formal medical care out of fear of arrest or execution. In one instance, relatives resorted to removing a bullet from a wounded man at home, concerned about obtaining hospital treatment.

Incidents of brutal violence have been documented in several cities. In Qom, security personnel reportedly mutilated a protester by severing his hands. In Shiraz, a man was set on fire amid clashes and was subsequently beaten and left unconscious by security forces on a street. Videos from Kermanshah capture a woman pleading for help before being reportedly subdued by stun guns, while residents of Parand described a massacre affecting people of all ages. Residents in Alborz recounted raids into homes, with security forces forcibly pursuing protesters and leaving bloodstains behind.

The capital, Tehran, has not been spared, with reports of a teenage boy who sustained multiple pellet wounds, his family unable to find hospital care. Despite the violence, demonstrators continue to confront security forces, often chanting slogans such as “Long live the Shah” and “Death to Khamenei.”

The most intense violence occurred around January 8, when millions participated in mass demonstrations following calls for organized protests by Iran’s exiled Crown Prince. Security forces responded with what appears to be a coordinated and lethal crackdown. Videos from the northern city of Rasht show regime forces encircling a market area before setting it ablaze and preventing firefighters from intervening, leading to significant loss of life. Eyewitnesses reported bodies strewn across streets and bloodied victims receiving makeshift first aid in public areas.

Hospitals and morgues throughout the country have been overwhelmed with casualties. Medical personnel have questioned official death tolls, with one worker estimating thousands of bodies passing through medical facilities in a single day. Secret night burials of victims, including children, have also been reported, and families are often barred from attending funerals.

The government’s repressive measures reportedly include harassment and intimidation of victims’ families, with some relatives detained or threatened. Public funerals have occasionally turned into moments of defiance against the authorities despite the risks. Personal accounts from grieving families describe deep and ongoing trauma, with some individuals unable to overcome their loss months after deaths occurred.

For nearly nine months, these events had limited exposure internationally. However, recent efforts by Iranian citizen journalists working with external media outlets have brought new visibility to the situation, allowing the world to witness and document the protests and the government’s response. The ongoing crisis highlights the severe challenges facing those in Iran calling for political change and accountability.