Warning: The following story contains graphic details of violence which some readers might find upsetting. A recent analysis by BBC News Persian has confirmed the security forces in Iran are deploying a frightening array of weaponry against protesters, including machine guns, sniper rifles, shotguns, and even knives and machetes during escalated clashes. With over 200 cities reporting protests, many demonstrators have lost their lives as the government employs a level of violence unprecedented in the nation's history. Witness accounts and video evidence highlight not just a high mortality rate, but a brutal crackdown fueled by fears of a populace in discontent. Human rights groups have reported thousands may have died, as the Iranian state shifts blame to 'rioters and terrorists.' The crackdown has resulted in thousands needing emergency medical treatment, illustrating the tragic human toll of this widespread unrest.