Between late December 2023 and early January 2024, Iranian security forces killed an estimated 30,000 protesters in a series of brutal crackdowns that have largely gone unnoticed internationally. The violence followed widespread demonstrations sparked by severe economic hardships and political dissent against the regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The protests began on December 28, 2023, primarily in response to spiraling inflation and decades of authoritarian rule. Public unrest quickly spread nationwide, including major urban centers such as Tehran and Fasa in the southern Fars province. Demonstrators called for political change and the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran.
Within 24 hours, the regime deployed the Basij, a paramilitary force loyal to Khamenei, to suppress the unrest. Eyewitness accounts and video footage obtained by opposition groups depict snipers targeting protesters’ heads and security forces firing machine guns into crowds. The violence peaked in the first two days, with many victims described as teenagers and young adults.
The crackdown intensified after January 8, when Khamenei allegedly ordered an escalation of force. Authorities simultaneously shut down internet access across Iran, curtailing communication and preventing the international community from witnessing the unfolding massacre. Medical personnel estimate tens of thousands were killed during this initial period, with many more injured or arrested in the days that followed.
Reports indicate thousands of detainees have since faced harsh treatment, with dozens executed and over 100 individuals reportedly awaiting death sentences. Families of the victims have experienced intimidation and reprisals simply for mourning their dead, according to activists and eyewitnesses.
Despite these developments, global response has been muted. Public protests outside Iran have been sparse, and calls to support Iranian demonstrators remain limited. Analysts note that ongoing geopolitical tensions, alongside a broader economic downturn, have overshadowed the crisis within Iran, further silencing international attention.
In an effort to document and expose the killings, an Iranian opposition channel, Manoto, has released a four-part documentary compiling thousands of videos smuggled out by ordinary Iranians risking detention or worse. The footage shows harrowing scenes of loss and suffering, captured without narration but featuring English subtitles and survivor testimonies.
Manoto’s founder Kayvan Abbassi and the documentary’s producer, Salomeh Seyednia, emphasize the extraordinary risks taken by those who recorded the events, comparing the scale of the massacre to terrorist attacks but noting that the violence was perpetrated by Iranian security forces against their own people. “The world needs to see this,” Abbassi said, underscoring the necessity of global awareness and response.
The documentary and accounts illustrate a grim reality for Iranians resisting authoritarian rule amid severe repression. While some external actors, including the United States and Israel, have retaliated against Khamenei’s leadership for the crackdown, the regime remains in power. For many inside Iran, their losses continue largely in silence, deprived of international solidarity and justice.