Iranian security forces have fired live ammunition at demonstrators, according to a doctor treating those wounded in the unrest.
The medical professional reported that many of the injured were shot with bullets, not nonlethal crowd-control measures, and described the force used against protesters as “shoot-to-kill.” Patients arriving at clinics and hospitals showed gunshot wounds, some severe, indicating a substantial escalation in tactics by security units confronting nationwide demonstrations.
The shootings occurred during large-scale protests that erupted across multiple cities, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with economic hardship and political repression. The unrest has been marked by thousands taking to the streets, with many clashes between civilians and state security personnel.
Doctors and healthcare workers treating the wounded have spoken out about the volume and severity of injuries, emphasizing that live rounds, not rubber bullets or tear gas, are responsible for many of the casualties.
The use of lethal force against protesters highlights a significant intensification in the government’s response to the demonstrations and raises international concern about the safety of civilians participating in the nationwide movement. As unrest continues, reports of shootings and other serious injuries have become more frequent.