Iran has been engulfed in turmoil as nationwide protests continue to escalate, leaving streets in chaos and communities in shock.
The unrest, initially sparked by economic frustrations and the collapse of the Iranian currency, has taken a far deadlier turn than many anticipated, with opposition sources claiming a staggering loss of life.
According to the Iranian opposition outlet Iran International, around 12,000 people have been killed in what they describe as the largest massacre in modern Iranian history.
The website cites multiple sources, including insiders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, medical officials, and other government-related channels, to support their claims.
Disputed Death Toll and Government Response
While Iran International reports a death toll of 12,000, official Iranian statements suggest significantly lower numbers.
An Iranian government official told Reuters that approximately 2,000 people have died, attributing the casualties to “terrorists” and blaming them for both civilian and security personnel deaths.
Despite the discrepancy, opposition leaders emphasize that these killings were planned and orchestrated by the Revolutionary Guards and Basij forces under the orders of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran International’s editorial board stressed, “This massacre will not be buried in silence,” highlighting the systematic nature of the crackdown.
Imminent Execution and Crackdown Warnings
The severity of the government response is underlined by the planned execution of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested during protests in Fardis, Alborz Province.
Human rights groups report that Soltani has been denied legal representation and is set to be executed imminently, after being sentenced to death for participating in demonstrations.
Tehran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, further escalated tensions by declaring that anyone participating in protests would be deemed an “enemy of God”, a designation carrying the death penalty.
Streets Turned into Warzones
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of life in protest-hit areas.
Residents describe streets as warzones, where security forces fire on unarmed civilians with Kalashnikov-style rifles, and morgues overflow with bodies.
One anonymous Iranian told BBC Radio 4, “It’s like a warzone, the streets are full of blood. They’re taking away bodies in trucks… it’s officially a massacre.”
A young woman from Tehran shared her harrowing experience, saying, “Even remote neighborhoods were packed with protesters.
But by Friday, security forces only killed and killed. Seeing it with my own eyes made me lose all morale… it is a one-sided war.”
Graphic videos circulating online appear to show dozens of bodies at the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Centre, with people trying to identify loved ones in body bags lined up across the facility.
In one clip, a mother can be seen screaming at her lifeless child, a scene capturing the human cost of the crackdown.
International Reactions Intensify
The violent response has drawn sharp criticism internationally.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Iran’s regime as living out its “last days,” arguing that a government relying solely on violence has lost legitimacy.
“The population is rising up, and I hope there is a way to end this conflict peacefully,” he said.
Meanwhile, the United States is reportedly preparing a range of covert and military options in response to the crisis.
According to CBS News, Pentagon officials briefed former President Donald Trump on potential actions, including long-range missile strikes, cyber operations, and psychological campaigns, though it remains unclear which, if any, will be executed.
The Path Forward Remains Uncertain
With tens of thousands arrested, thousands more injured, and streets still under heavy surveillance, the Iranian government faces unprecedented domestic and international pressure.
Observers warn that the next few weeks could be critical, as the population continues to push for change and the regime’s response grows ever more violent.
The world watches closely as Iran navigates a crisis that experts describe as a humanitarian and political tipping point, where the outcomes could reshape the country’s future dramatically.
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