Witnesses in Iran say security forces have used live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators as protests spread across the country over worsening economic conditions and political grievances.
One protester, identified here as Omid to protect his safety, described scenes of violence in a small city in southern Iran where he has been taking part in demonstrations. Speaking in a trembling voice and fearful of being identified, the man in his early forties said he saw security personnel firing directly at crowds.
According to his account, protesters were confronted by forces using Kalashnikov-type assault rifles. He said people collapsed where they stood, despite posing no armed threat. “We are facing a harsh system with nothing but our voices,” he explained, describing the protests as a struggle carried out with “empty hands”.
The BBC has received multiple testimonies echoing Omid’s claims, pointing to a coordinated crackdown following nationwide protests that erupted last week. Reporting from inside Iran has become increasingly difficult after authorities imposed widespread internet restrictions. BBC Persian remains banned from operating in the country.
One of the largest waves of demonstrations took place on Thursday, marking the twelfth consecutive night of unrest. Participation appeared to increase on Thursday and Friday after calls from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch, who was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
On Friday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a firm warning, declaring that the Islamic Republic would not retreat. Observers and witnesses suggest that the most severe violence followed this statement, as security forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intensified their response.
Iranian officials have blamed foreign actors, accusing the United States and Israel of fuelling unrest. State media has described the protests as involving “terrorist actions”.
A young woman from Tehran described Thursday as overwhelming, saying demonstrations reached even quiet neighbourhoods rarely associated with protest. By Friday, however, she said the situation had dramatically worsened.
“People were being killed repeatedly,” she said, adding that witnessing the violence left her deeply shaken. Fear has since kept many residents indoors, with some continuing to protest by chanting from alleys or inside their homes.
She compared Tehran’s streets to a battlefield but stressed the imbalance of power. “In a war, both sides have weapons,” she said. “Here, people only chant, and they are killed. It is completely one-sided.”
About the author
Iranians face pressure as war tensions escalate
As tensions rise following escalating conflict involving Iran, mixed messages are being directed at the Iranian public about whether they should challenge their government. During the conflict, former US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to rise up and take control of their country, claiming the moment could represent a rare opportunity for political change. The call came after US military strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further intensifying the crisis. However, inside Iran, authorities have issued stern warnings against any protests or public demonstrations. Ahmadreza Radan, Iran’s police chief, said security forces would treat anyone taking to the streets at what he described as the “enemy’s request” as an adversary of the state. He warned that police and security units were fully prepared to act against unrest, emphasizing that the country’s forces were ready to defend the Islamic […]
Tribute album “20th Century Paddy” honors Shane MacGowan with star-studded collaborations
A new tribute album honoring the late Shane MacGowan is set to bring together some of music’s biggest names, three years after his passing. Titled “20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan”, the album was announced on Thursday, with the first single being Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “A Rainy Night in Soho”. Springsteen, in an essay accompanying the announcement, praised MacGowan’s songwriting as “raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound,” calling him a writer in the lineage of legends like Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan. He described MacGowan as possessing “naked bottomless humanity” and a voice “so deeply real, profane and honest” that it challenged listeners to live authentically. The album, scheduled for release in November, features a star-studded lineup including: Bruce Springsteen Hozier & Jessie Buckley Tom Waits Primal Scream Steve Earle […]
René Redzepi resigns from Noma amid abuse allegations
The world-renowned Danish restaurant Noma is facing a major shake-up as head chef René Redzepi has resigned amid allegations of abuse and toxic workplace behavior. Redzepi announced his departure on social media, stating that after more than 20 years of leading the restaurant, he is stepping aside to allow the leadership team to guide Noma into its next chapter. He also resigned from the board of MAD, a non-profit he founded in 2011 that supports newcomers to the restaurant industry. The resignation follows accusations from former employees, reported by several media outlets including the New York Times, who described a culture of verbal and physical abuse, intimidation, and a toxic work environment in the restaurant’s kitchen. Former staff, like Jason Ignacio White, publicly shared that they had witnessed widespread mistreatment during Redzepi’s tenure. Redzepi publicly acknowledged the allegations, apologizing on […]
Estée Lauder sues Jo Malone over Zara perfume
British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action from cosmetics giant Estée Lauder Companies over the use of her name in a perfume collaboration with fashion retailer Zara. The dispute stems from a partnership between Zara and Malone’s newer fragrance brand Jo Loves. Estée Lauder argues that packaging used in the collaboration features wording that highlights Malone’s name, stating: “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.” According to Estée Lauder, this wording risks creating confusion with its own luxury fragrance label Jo Malone London, which the company acquired in 1999 when it purchased Malone’s original perfume business along with the commercial rights to her name. Under the terms of that agreement, Malone reportedly committed not to use the “Jo Malone” name for marketing or branding purposes in the fragrance industry. Estée Lauder now claims the Zara […]
Russia jails 19 over deadly Moscow concert attack
A Russian military court has sentenced 19 people over the deadly attack on a concert venue near Moscow that left 149 people dead and more than 500 injured, marking the deadliest mass shooting in Russia in two decades. According to state media, four gunmen received life sentences, while 11 accomplices were also convicted for their roles in the assault. Four additional defendants were handed prison terms ranging from 19 to 22 years. The attack occurred on 22 March 2024 at the Crocus City Concert Hall in Krasnogorsk, located on the outskirts of Moscow. Armed men stormed the venue during a rock concert, opening fire on the crowd before setting parts of the building ablaze. At the time of the assault, around 6,000 people were inside the concert hall. The fires triggered by the attackers quickly spread through the complex, eventually […]
China passes law to promote ethnic unity
China has adopted a far-reaching new law aimed at promoting what authorities describe as “ethnic unity,” a move that officials say will strengthen national cohesion. Critics, however, warn that the legislation could further limit the cultural and linguistic rights of minority groups across the country. On paper, the law seeks to foster integration among the country’s 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, which are largely dominated by the Han majority. The measures include policies linked to education, housing, and social integration intended to encourage closer interaction between communities. One of the most significant provisions concerns language education. The law requires that Mandarin be taught to children before kindergarten and remain the primary language of instruction through high school. Previously, many students in minority regions were able to study much of their curriculum in local languages such as Tibetan, Uyghur, or Mongolian. […]
Related
Trump says Iran’s new Supreme Leader is alive but “damaged”
United States President Donald Trump says he believes Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but “damaged” after the US and Israel’s opening strikes on Iran. Mojtaba, whose father and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war, has not been seen in public since he was selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts on March 8. His first comments to the nation were delivered as a written message read out by a television presenter, fuelling speculation about his condition. An Iranian official told Reuters that the new leader was “lightly injured” and continues to function, with state TV referring to him as “war wounded.” Asked about rumours that Mojtaba might be dead or incapacitated, Trump told Fox News’ “Brian Kilmeade Show”: “I think he probably is (alive). I think he is […]
I lost my father and wife, Iran’s new Supreme Leader vows revenge
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed revenge for the deaths of his relatives and other Iranians killed in recent strikes, saying Tehran will not back down from retaliatory actions. In his first public message since assuming office, Mojtaba said he lost his father, his wife, a sister and her child, as well as his other sister’s husband, in the air strikes that hit Iran late last month. He described the attacks as brutal crimes carried out by the United States and Israel and said they had deepened his resolve to pursue justice. The new leader also referred to a deadly strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, which Iranian sources say killed around 160 to 170 schoolgirls on the first day of the war. He said Iran is “especially sensitive to the blood of our children” […]
Iranians face pressure as war tensions escalate
As tensions rise following escalating conflict involving Iran, mixed messages are being directed at the Iranian public about whether they should challenge their government. During the conflict, former US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to rise up and take control of their country, claiming the moment could represent a rare opportunity for political change. The call came after US military strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further intensifying the crisis. However, inside Iran, authorities have issued stern warnings against any protests or public demonstrations. Ahmadreza Radan, Iran’s police chief, said security forces would treat anyone taking to the streets at what he described as the “enemy’s request” as an adversary of the state. He warned that police and security units were fully prepared to act against unrest, emphasizing that the country’s forces were ready to defend the Islamic […]
René Redzepi resigns from Noma amid abuse allegations
The world-renowned Danish restaurant Noma is facing a major shake-up as head chef René Redzepi has resigned amid allegations of abuse and toxic workplace behavior. Redzepi announced his departure on social media, stating that after more than 20 years of leading the restaurant, he is stepping aside to allow the leadership team to guide Noma into its next chapter. He also resigned from the board of MAD, a non-profit he founded in 2011 that supports newcomers to the restaurant industry. The resignation follows accusations from former employees, reported by several media outlets including the New York Times, who described a culture of verbal and physical abuse, intimidation, and a toxic work environment in the restaurant’s kitchen. Former staff, like Jason Ignacio White, publicly shared that they had witnessed widespread mistreatment during Redzepi’s tenure. Redzepi publicly acknowledged the allegations, apologizing on […]
Estée Lauder sues Jo Malone over Zara perfume
British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action from cosmetics giant Estée Lauder Companies over the use of her name in a perfume collaboration with fashion retailer Zara. The dispute stems from a partnership between Zara and Malone’s newer fragrance brand Jo Loves. Estée Lauder argues that packaging used in the collaboration features wording that highlights Malone’s name, stating: “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.” According to Estée Lauder, this wording risks creating confusion with its own luxury fragrance label Jo Malone London, which the company acquired in 1999 when it purchased Malone’s original perfume business along with the commercial rights to her name. Under the terms of that agreement, Malone reportedly committed not to use the “Jo Malone” name for marketing or branding purposes in the fragrance industry. Estée Lauder now claims the Zara […]
Russia jails 19 over deadly Moscow concert attack
A Russian military court has sentenced 19 people over the deadly attack on a concert venue near Moscow that left 149 people dead and more than 500 injured, marking the deadliest mass shooting in Russia in two decades. According to state media, four gunmen received life sentences, while 11 accomplices were also convicted for their roles in the assault. Four additional defendants were handed prison terms ranging from 19 to 22 years. The attack occurred on 22 March 2024 at the Crocus City Concert Hall in Krasnogorsk, located on the outskirts of Moscow. Armed men stormed the venue during a rock concert, opening fire on the crowd before setting parts of the building ablaze. At the time of the assault, around 6,000 people were inside the concert hall. The fires triggered by the attackers quickly spread through the complex, eventually […]