Iran’s weeks-long protest movement, which began as an outcry over economic hardship, has now spiralled into one of the deadliest crackdowns the Islamic Republic has seen in decades. Fresh claims by doctors working inside Iran suggest that the human cost of the unrest is far higher than officially acknowledged, even as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly addressed the crisis for the first time.
Iran Protests: Doctors Claim Massive Casualties in Iran Crackdown
The demonstrations erupted over worsening inflation, currency collapse, and job losses, but quickly transformed into nationwide protests demanding an end to clerical rule. Young Iranians, students, workers, and traders joined the movement, turning city streets into flashpoints of confrontation with security forces.
As protests spread, authorities imposed strict internet shutdowns, limited information flow, and deployed armed forces to contain the unrest.
A report compiled by doctors on the ground paints a grim picture. Medical professionals claim that at least 16,500 protesters have been killed and more than 3,30,000 injured during the crackdown. According to the data, most of the victims were reportedly under the age of 30.
Hospital records from multiple provinces indicate widespread use of lethal force. Doctors say they treated gunshot and shrapnel injuries to the head, neck, and chest—signs of military-grade weapons being used against civilians.
Use of Heavy Weapons and Eye Injuries Raise Alarm in Iran
Professor Amir Parasta, an Iranian-German eye surgeon, described the situation as unprecedented. He said hospitals have seen a sharp rise in severe eye injuries, with 700 to 1,000 people reportedly losing an eye. One Tehran hospital alone recorded around 7,000 eye injury cases, highlighting the scale of violence.
Medical staff also reported deaths caused by blood shortages. In several cases, doctors donated their own blood to save patients. However, security forces allegedly blocked blood transfusions in some hospitals, worsening fatalities.
Khamenei Blames US, Calls Trump a ‘Criminal’
Breaking his silence, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged that the unrest led to “several thousand” deaths. He accused the United States of fuelling the violence and directly targeted former US President Donald Trump.
“In this revolt, the US president made remarks in person, encouraged seditious people to go ahead and said: ‘We do support you, we do support you militarily,’” Khamenei said, calling Trump a “criminal” and protesters “foot soldiers” of Washington.
How Do Official Figures Compare With Independent Claims?
While doctors estimate tens of thousands of casualties, rights groups present lower—but still alarming—numbers. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has verified 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters, and over 22,000 arrests so far. The sharp gap between figures underscores the difficulty of verifying information amid censorship and internet blackouts.
Starlink and the Fight Against Digital Blackouts
Doctors shared their findings using Starlink satellite internet, which became a crucial lifeline during Iran’s communication shutdowns. Professor Parasta described the situation as a “genocide under the cover of digital darkness,” saying authorities aimed to suppress both protests and evidence.
With SpaceX enabling access during the blackout, Iran’s digital isolation weakened, allowing images, testimonies, and casualty estimates to reach the outside world.
The soaring death toll, youth-led anger, and economic collapse point to deepening instability in Iran. While street protests have slowed in recent days, the scale of casualties and international scrutiny suggests the crisis is far from over. Analysts warn that continued repression could fuel further unrest, both domestically and across the region.
