On the 18th day of country-wide protests in Iran sparked by persistent hyperinflation leading to anger over cost of living spike, Euronews brings you the latest information amid the regime-imposed information blackout.
As country-wide protests in Iran continue into their 18th day amid a government-instituted communications blackout, multiple reports have claimed that the death toll is expected to rise even further.
According to conservative estimates, the number of those killed in the country-wide demonstrations stands at around 2,500, while others say it has already reached 15,000.
The protests, described as the largest Iranian uprising since the 1979 revolution, began amid frustration with unprecedented inflation, food prices and currency devaluation. Demonstrations quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding an end to the current regime.
Protests have been reported in more than 187 cities across all 31 Iranian provinces.
Death toll hard to establish
Some overseas Persian-language outlets and activists have stated that the death toll is feared to have reached anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000, which if accurate would mark one of the largest massacres in modern Iranian history.
The Geneva-based Iran Human Rights Organisation said at least 1,600 deaths in anti-government protests were recorded in Isfahan's forensics alone.
On Sunday, international media outlets reported a group of academics and foreign specialists, based on hospital reports excluding bodies transported directly from streets to morgues, estimated the death toll at 6,000, while eyewitnesses told the press they saw "hundreds of bodies" across Tehran.
Reports indicate that at least 18,434 people have been arrested. Iranian state media has broadcast 97 forced confessions.
The Islamic Republic's obstruction of impartial investigation inside Iran has made verifying these reports difficult. The internet blackout, now in its sixth day, has further complicated independent verification.
An Iranian government official confirmed a figure of around 2,000 dead including civilians and security forces, citing internal reports, but blamed "terrorists" for the killings. The government claims 147 military and government supporters have been killed during protests.
Iranian state television showed dozens of body bags at Tehran's forensics, claiming those killed were victims of incidents instigated by "armed terrorists".
'Terrorist elements affiliated with the enemy'
Tehran accused the United States and Israel on Tuesday of sending so-called IS group extremists into the country to carry out attacks against civilians and security personnel.
Abdul Rahim Mousavi, chief of general staff of Iran's armed forces, said the move followed what he called "Washington and Tel Aviv's defeat in the 12-day conflict against Iran."
Independent footage and reports suggest the violence has been perpetrated mainly by military forces, law enforcement and pro-government militias.
Abbas Masjedi, head of Iran's forensics organisation, said "terrorists and agitators have killed some people with the most heinous disposition." He claimed some women had their throats slit and many were killed with knives and hunting rifles.
Iran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei confirmed some people were "beheaded" or "burned in the streets."
Reports to Iran Human Rights show many killed, some wounded by shotgun bullets, eventually died from being hit in the head or neck by bullets. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Monday the shooting of some wounded but attributed it to "terrorist elements affiliated with the enemy."
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International confirmed Iranian security forces used live ammunition and metal bullets to crush protesters. According to evidence gathered by the organisations, the provinces of Lorestan, Ilam, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Fars and Kermanshah, home to Kurdish and Lur ethnic minorities, witnessed the deadliest repressions.
The organisations said use of shotguns left extensive injuries to protesters' heads and eyes. Security forces' massive presence in hospitals has deterred many injured protesters from seeking medical care, raising their risk of death.
Eyewitnesses speak of massacres
A medical staff member working in Tehran told Euronews that people from all walks of life and social classes attended the protests. "Unfortunately we also saw the bodies of some doctors and dentists among the dead," the person said.
The medical worker said conditions in hospitals are dire and treatment staff are struggling to handle patients.
An Iranian from Fars province described observations in Mamseny, stating that "the number of injured is so high that it is very difficult for treatment staff to handle them."
"Doctors were not able to operate on someone who was in a coma due to injury because they were busy caring for wounds, and only tried to stop bleeding so the person could be operated on as soon as possible," they said.
Another Iranian claimed to have obtained information about Tehran's death toll from sources in the Iranian Ministry of Health, saying the number killed in Tehran is estimated at about 7,000.
A protester told Euronews during a call that "troops of the Corps and especially young and inexperienced mobilisation troops had been given war arms to take action towards suppression of protesters."
A resident of Kish said protests on the island were intense. A peaceful demonstration turned violent when security forces clashed with protesters, the resident said.
Euronews cannot confirm details raised by eyewitnesses due to blocked communication routes with Iran. All of the eyewitnesses spoke under the condition of anonymity due to serious concerns over their safety and well-being.
Reports of unprecedented crimes
In Ilam, western Iran, agents opened fire on hospital grounds with metal bullets and tear gas, broke glass doors and beat patients, relatives and medical staff, according to released footage.
Arbitrary arrests continue with nightly raids on homes. Human rights organisations have published numerous reports of forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, warning those arrested face torture.
The country's attorney general declared protesters are considered "mohareb," a charge that under Islamic Republic law could lead to death sentences. He said cases of those arrested would be handled "by designating special branches (of the Revolutionary Court) extraordinarily and out of turn."
Families face not only grief of losing loved ones but security threats, pressure for secret burials, lack of access to litigation and censorship of news about their relatives.
In some cases, families have faced obstruction from security forces even to bury their dead, indicating government fear of holding mourning gatherings.
Iran's judicial authorities have stated they intend to begin expedited trials and imminent executions against detainees.
"Following the widespread killing of protesters in the streets, the massive wave of arrests will result in thousands of protesters being held in detention centres and prisons under inhumane conditions and at risk of torture and execution," Iran Human Rights warned.
The organisation noted the government committed similar crimes in 1988.