Iran Protests: Rising Death Toll, Overwhelmed Hospitals, and Threats of External Intervention
Anti-government protests in Iran have led to a rising death toll and a crisis in hospitals, amid threats of external intervention by the U.S. and Israel. There are conflicting reports on the number of deaths, with estimates ranging from at least 72 to over 2,000.
Background and Context
The protests, which have been raging across the Islamic Republic for several weeks, have seen hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz overwhelmed with injuries, including gunshot wounds to the head and eyes. A doctor from Tehran’s Farabi Hospital, the city’s main eye specialist center, told the BBC the facility entered crisis mode, with emergency services slammed and non-urgent admissions suspended.
Rising Casualties and Arrests
According to the Corriere della Sera, there have been at least 65 casualties and over 2,000 arrests. ANSA reports the death toll to be as high as 466, with over 10,000 arrests. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency also reported 72 deaths, while other sources, including the Nobel Peace Prize laureate foundation, Narges Mohammadi, denounced 'mass shootings', estimating at least 2,000 deaths.
One of the victims identified was Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old fashion student in Tehran, who was reportedly shot in the head from close range
during the protests, according to Iran Human Rights and La Repubblica.
Internet Shutdown and External Threats
The government's response to the protests has included a prolonged internet shutdown, lasting over 70 hours according to ANSA, cutting the protesters off from the rest of the world. Despite this, videos have trickled out of the country, showing thousands of people in the streets of Tehran chanting “death to Khamenei,” in reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The situation has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening that the U.S. might hit Iran very hard
if the regime escalates its crackdown on anti-government protesters. This has raised questions about the possible impact of U.S. intervention on the protests and the regime's stability. Tehran has warned the U.S. and Israel against any intervention, threatening retaliation.
Current Status
Despite the rising death toll and overwhelming injuries, the protests continue to rage across Iran. The internet shutdown remains in place, limiting the flow of information from the ground. Meanwhile, hospitals struggle to cope with the influx of injured protestors, and the international community watches closely as the situation continues to unfold.