Warning: The following story contains graphic details of violence which some readers might find upsetting. A BBC Persian analysis of hundreds of videos and photographs taken during recent protests in Iran has confirmed the alarming use of lethal weaponry, including machine guns, sniper rifles, and shotguns by security forces. Protesters faced brutal repression across over 200 cities, leading to a vague yet staggering death toll, where thousands are feared dead amidst chaos. This level of violence is described by experts as unprecedented in Iranian history. Iranians are largely concerned as the government attributes the violence to 'rioters and terrorists'. In contrast, investigations have revealed a variety of arms used against demonstrators, including machine guns, sniper rifles, shotguns, handguns, and even melee weapons like machetes and batons. Eyewitness accounts describe horrific scenes where citizens are met with gunfire and plainclothes security forces wielding machetes, creating an atmosphere of fear and chaos.
The crackdown that started over economic grievances escalated quickly into a full-scale assault. Human rights groups have reported on lethal tactics used by the authorities against civilian populations. This situation was characterized by widespread deployment of heavy weaponry, showing a clear intention to silence dissent through intimidation and brutality.
Prominent figures like Payam Akhavan, an Iranian-Canadian ex-UN prosecutor, have classified the events as one of the most extensive mass killings in contemporary times. Eyewitness accounts and documented footage underscore the use of sniper rifles, particularly in Mashhad, where fatalities from aimed shots have emerged.
The international community and human rights advocates continue to monitor these events with grave concern, as the Iranian government remains firm in blaming violence on its citizens. Moreover, the variety of weaponry employed—ranging from military-grade firearms to deadly hand weapons—demonstrates a calculated effort to suppress the voice of the populace amid growing discontent.
The crackdown that started over economic grievances escalated quickly into a full-scale assault. Human rights groups have reported on lethal tactics used by the authorities against civilian populations. This situation was characterized by widespread deployment of heavy weaponry, showing a clear intention to silence dissent through intimidation and brutality.
Prominent figures like Payam Akhavan, an Iranian-Canadian ex-UN prosecutor, have classified the events as one of the most extensive mass killings in contemporary times. Eyewitness accounts and documented footage underscore the use of sniper rifles, particularly in Mashhad, where fatalities from aimed shots have emerged.
The international community and human rights advocates continue to monitor these events with grave concern, as the Iranian government remains firm in blaming violence on its citizens. Moreover, the variety of weaponry employed—ranging from military-grade firearms to deadly hand weapons—demonstrates a calculated effort to suppress the voice of the populace amid growing discontent.
