Distressing reports are surfacing from Iran, with witnesses alleging that police are deliberately targeting protestors’ eyes. Widespread chaos has gripped the nation, notably in Tehran, marking the most significant nationwide protest against the Islamic Republic in over three years. Economic turmoil in Iran escalated sharply in late December, leading to a historic plunge of the Iranian rial against the US dollar.
On December 28, shop owners gathered at Tehran’s central bazaar to voice their grievances, sparking demonstrations that quickly spread beyond the capital. Tragically, the death toll is reported to exceed 500 as authorities resort to violent tactics to suppress the ongoing unrest.
An internet blackout has been enforced to conceal the severe human rights violations committed to quell the protests, as denounced by Amnesty International. Despite efforts to stifle information, harrowing accounts continue to emerge from Iranian communities, shedding light on the tragic fates of protestors.
In an interview with The Guardian, a 25-year-old artist named Maryam described the brutal crackdown, stating that security forces are targeting protestors’ eyes. A resident from Tehran’s Niavaran neighborhood corroborated reports of severe eye injuries, indicating a grim situation with numerous casualties and devastating consequences.
Amidst these events, UK-based regime opposition groups shared accounts of officers shooting down protestors, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. Reports suggest that police are using lethal force, resulting in a high death toll and numerous injuries.
While estimates vary, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 500 fatalities and 10,000 arrests, primarily due to gunfire at close range. Global leaders and human rights experts have condemned the actions of Iranian police, urging restraint and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.
The joint statement from France, Germany, and the UK condemns the violence by Iranian security forces and emphasizes the need to protect the population’s rights to express themselves peacefully. The situation in Iran continues to draw international concern and calls for accountability.
