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Eyewitnesses describe a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters in Iran, with reports of security forces firing on unarmed civilians. Accounts suggest widespread lethal force, with hundreds feared dead. Omid, whose name has been changed for safety, revealed that security forces used assault rifles against protesters challenging economic hardships. Others reported similar scenes across the nation, despite internet shutdowns hindering communication.

Protests have erupted across Iran following appeals from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah. He called for demonstrations against deteriorating economic conditions, leading to one of the largest nationwide protests. Following this, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, stated that the Islamic Republic would not back down, allegedly prompting intensified attacks by security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Government-controlled media accused foreign nations of instigating unrest, labelling the protests as terrorism. Eyewitnesses describe horrific scenes, particularly in Tehran and Fardis, where paramilitary forces reportedly used live ammunition against civilians. Reports indicate these actions continued even in the absence of police, with unmarked vehicles shooting at bystanders not involved in protests.

The unrest has raised international concern, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressing shock over the reported violence and excessive force. Human rights groups outside Iran estimate at least 648 protesters killed, including young people. Reports suggest official figures might be much higher, but exact details are scarce due to restrictions on international news agencies in Iran.

The crackdown has created a tense atmosphere, with residents fearful of further violence. Protests reportedly turned streets into battlefields, with security forces heavily armed against unarmed civilians. Eyewitness accounts claim bodies piled up in hospitals and mortuaries, reflecting the severity of the crackdown. Restrictions on internet access make independent verification difficult, yet the volume and consistency of testimony indicate widespread use of lethal force, reported the BBC.

Key Takeaways

• Witnesses report aggressive actions by Iranian security forces against protesters.

• Restrictions limit news flow, complicating verification and transparency.

• International pressure grows as UN officials express concern over lethal force.

Related Story:

Iran Army Defends Interests as US Backs Ongoing Protests

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2026-01-13

 

 

For the people's sake, let's hope they can get out from under the theocracy government rule.

I spent a bit of time poolside yakking it up with an Iranian 'elite', (writer, producer, actor) on Phuket, where he splits his time, 6 months Iran & Phuket.

I asked him flat out ... "is Iran as F'd up as western media makes it out to be". Answer "NO, it's 10 times worse". Released funds by Biden from USA & Iraq, certainly didn't help.

When they exiled the shah, they all thought, why not, it can't get any worse ... be careful what you wish for.

UP the REVOLUTION

Trump definately has double standards. Only a short while back he asked was it OK for his people to shoot protester in the legs (people would die). Now he wants to take action against another government that is doing ths same. OK for me but not for you.

41 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

Trump definately has double standards. Only a short while back he asked was it OK for his people to shoot protester in the legs (people would die). Now he wants to take action against another government that is doing ths same. OK for me but not for you.

Trump's 2020 Comment Was About Non-Lethal (Though Risky) Crowd Control in Riots: During the BLM protests (which involved widespread rioting, looting, arson, and attacks on police in U.S. cities), Trump reportedly floated shooting looters/protesters "in the legs" to disable them and restore order (per Mark Esper's book and White House sources).

Iran's Crackdown Is Systematic State Terrorism—Not Comparable: The Iranian regime is killing over 2,000+ protesters (per HRANA/AP reports as of Jan 14, 2026) in a brutal suppression of organic uprising against economic collapse, corruption, and tyranny. Executions, mass arrests (10,000+), internet blackouts, and torture—it's a theocratic dictatorship clinging to power.

An interesting side effect of the internet shutdown?

Iran internet blackout exposes suspected links to Scottish independence accounts

Trump needs to get a move on if he's to help overthrow the mullahs.

But many many possibilities for action, none of them risk-free. This is not Venezuela.

2 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

Trump definately has double standards. Only a short while back he asked was it OK for his people to shoot protester in the legs (people would die). Now he wants to take action against another government that is doing ths same. OK for me but not for you.

Ridiculous.

I just hope Trump can come up with a strategy which genuinely helps the brave Iranian people. They have suffered so much since 1979. Not going to be easy though..

There was a sparkle of hope for the Iranian people with the 2015 nuclear deal which saw Iran significantly reduced its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. But Trump uniliterally withdrew USA from the accord in 2018 igniting tension in the middle-east. He is trying to clean up his own mess probably with some performative airstrikes but no major military commitment. Don't think it will help the Iranians to force the regime out.

3 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Iran's Crackdown Is Systematic State Terrorism—Not Comparable: The Iranian regime is killing over 2,000+ protesters (per HRANA/AP reports as of Jan 14, 2026) in a brutal suppression of organic uprising against economic collapse, corruption, and tyranny. Executions, mass arrests (10,000+), internet blackouts, and torture—it's a theocratic dictatorship clinging to power.

Economic collapse - on the way as many other countries now ditching US debt

Corruption - entrenched and now openly sought or demanded

Tyranny - definitely as checks and balances have been removed

Executions - one so far and looking for more

Mass arrests - how many dragged off the streets

Internet blackouts - can't do that as it would hurt my rich friends

Torture - blinding a peaceful protester with pepper ball shot into his face

Trump's regime is a theocratic dictatorship trying to consolidate power - Quite comparable

On 1/12/2026 at 12:45 PM, webfact said:

with hundreds feared dead.

Update:

Thousands dead.

Sorry to write that the regime seems to have 'won'. The true number of those killed will probably never be known for sure, even approximately. But, many sources say at least 2,000 people. As far as I hear on TV, the protests in the streets seems to have died down. It is highly unlikely that, after such heavy violence and death toll, people will come to the streets again in the foreseeable future.

Did Trump let the protesters down ? Well, some would (correctly to some degree) say yes. He had clearly said at first that if there was violence against protesters, the consequences for the regime would be very bad. Well, heavy violence happened as we all know, and the US didn't act. Trump later changed his tune and said there would be consequences if Iran executed protesters. And, now, he has said he has been told that there would be no executions, implying he won't act.

I am not necessarily saying that the US should have intervened, and it is a big question mark if (and how) military action would have been a big boost to the protesters and weakened the regime significantly. We'll never know that, I guess. But anyway, Trump didn't stick to his word, and most probably let many of the protesters down.

On 1/14/2026 at 12:40 PM, animalmagic said:

Economic collapse - on the way as many other countries now ditching US debt

Corruption - entrenched and now openly sought or demanded

Tyranny - definitely as checks and balances have been removed

Executions - one so far and looking for more

Mass arrests - how many dragged off the streets

Internet blackouts - can't do that as it would hurt my rich friends

Torture - blinding a peaceful protester with pepper ball shot into his face

Trump's regime is a theocratic dictatorship trying to consolidate power - Quite comparable

Oh, bless your heart—trying to equate Trump's U.S. to Iran's blood-soaked theocracy with a laundry list of half-baked "parallels"?

That's not "comparable"; that's delusional fanfiction. Let's torch this nonsense point by point with actual facts, not fever dreams.

• Economic collapse because countries are "ditching" US debt? False alarm, Chicken Little. Sure, BRICS nations (China, India, Brazil) have trimmed holdings slightly (China down to $700B from peaks, per Reuters/Treasury data), but it's not a "ditch"—it's diversification amid yuan support and geopolitics. Japan (largest holder) just increased to $1.19T (highest since 2022), and overall foreign ownership is stable at ~30% of Treasuries (down from 50% but no panic sell-off). U.S. economy? Surging—GDP up 2.8% Q3 2025 (unexpectedly strong per BEA), inflation steady at 2.3-3% (down from highs), jobs added 584K in 2025 (weakest non-recession year since 2000s, but no collapse—Fed survey shows "modest growth" into 2026). No "on the way" to doom; coiled spring for recovery, per Cathie Wood/ARK. Compare to Iran's 40%+ inflation, currency freefall? Laughable.

• Corruption "entrenched and openly sought"? Vague much? Trump's admin has ethics probes (e.g., Kash Patel at FBI), but no "openly demanded" graft like Iran's kleptocratic mullahs siphoning billions. U.S. has transparency laws, IG oversight, and lawsuits flying (e.g., Minnesota vs. DHS). If it's so bad, why are markets booming and foreign investment flowing? Your claim's as "entrenched" as a rumor.

• Tyranny with "checks and balances removed"? Dramatic, but wrong. Congress still budgets, courts block moves (e.g., potential injunctions on surge), states sue feds (Minnesota's case ongoing), media roasts Trump daily. No rubber-stamp parliament like Iran's. Tyranny? Try Iran's Supreme Leader vetoing elections or jailing dissidents en masse. U.S. midterms loom in 2026—democracy intact.

• Executions: "One so far and looking for more"? Renee Good's tragic shooting is under FBI/DOJ probe—not an "execution." Isolated incident in enforcement op, not regime policy. "Looking for more"? Baseless fearmongering—no evidence of extrajudicial killings. Iran's 2,000+ protester deaths? That's execution on steroids.

• Mass arrests: "Dragged off the streets"? ICE's Metro Surge: ~1,694 arrests in MN (46% serious criminals like murderers/rapists, per DHS). Warrant-based, not "dragged off streets" like Iran's 10,000+ arbitrary detentions of protesters. U.S. has habeas corpus, bail, courts—Iran has secret prisons.

• Internet blackouts: "Can't because rich friends"? U.S. has no blackouts—free speech thriving (you're posting this, aren't you?). Iran's 6+ day total shutdown hides atrocities. "Rich friends" jab? Weak—Trump's no fan of Big Tech censorship, but no nationwide gag order.

• Torture: "Blinding a peaceful protester with pepper ball"? If referring to a specific incident (e.g., MN protests), it's under review—not systemic torture like Iran's eye-gouging or acid attacks on women. U.S. has accountability (lawsuits, probes); Iran's regime tortures with impunity.

• Trump's "theocratic dictatorship consolidating power—quite comparable"? Comparable? Only if you're blindfolded. U.S. has separation of church/state, free elections, independent judiciary—Trump's not a mullah with divine rule. No fatwas, no "death to America" chants from the podium. Iran's a real theocracy executing gays, stoning women, suppressing minorities. Trump's bombast? Annoying, but not dictatorial—midterms, SCOTUS, and voters check him.

Bottom line: Your "parallels" are as "comparable" as a paper cut to a beheading. Iran's a murderous regime; U.S. under Trump is messy democracy with flaws, but light-years from theocracy. If you're genuinely worried, channel that into facts, not fiction. Otherwise, this is just partisan projection dressed as outrage.