Warning: The following story contains graphic details of violence which some readers might find upsetting. A recent analysis conducted by BBC News Persian found that during nationwide protests in Iran, security forces utilized a wide array of lethal weapons, leading to significant casualties among demonstrators. The protests, ignited by economic discontent, escalated into demonstrations against the government, prompting a violent crackdown across more than 200 cities. The death toll from this unrest remains uncertain, with estimates suggesting that thousands may have been killed.
Witnesses and documented evidence indicate the deployment of machine guns, sniper rifles, and shotguns against protesters. Payam Akhavan, an Iranian Canadian former UN prosecutor, described this situation as the largest mass killing in Iran's contemporary history. Despite the government's claims of combating rioters and terrorists, analysis reveals the use of notable weapon types against civilians, including:
- Machine guns
- Sniper rifles
- Assault rifles
- Shotguns
- Handguns
- Machetes
- Tear gas
- Batons and clubs
Videos show protesters being fired upon with heavy machine guns, while accounts indicate fatalities as snipers target individuals in gatherings. The brutality witnessed in these protests has invoked international concern regarding human rights violations and the extreme measures taken by Iranian authorities in silencing dissent. As the situation evolves, the global community watches closely, demanding accountability and transparency from the Iranian government.
Witnesses and documented evidence indicate the deployment of machine guns, sniper rifles, and shotguns against protesters. Payam Akhavan, an Iranian Canadian former UN prosecutor, described this situation as the largest mass killing in Iran's contemporary history. Despite the government's claims of combating rioters and terrorists, analysis reveals the use of notable weapon types against civilians, including:
- Machine guns
- Sniper rifles
- Assault rifles
- Shotguns
- Handguns
- Machetes
- Tear gas
- Batons and clubs
Videos show protesters being fired upon with heavy machine guns, while accounts indicate fatalities as snipers target individuals in gatherings. The brutality witnessed in these protests has invoked international concern regarding human rights violations and the extreme measures taken by Iranian authorities in silencing dissent. As the situation evolves, the global community watches closely, demanding accountability and transparency from the Iranian government.
