At least 192 protesters have been killed in Iran’s largest anti-government movement in more than three years.
What began as protests over rising living costs has evolved into a fight for freedom from Iran’s oppressive Islamist theocracy. Rallies have been continuing for weeks despite a nationwide internet shutdown preventing accurate reporting and hiding the scale of government violence against its citizens.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights said it had verified at least 192 deaths and also warned the number could rise significantly. Other rights groups reported eyewitness accounts of hundreds killed, hospitals overwhelmed and protesters deliberately targeted, including by shots to the eyes.
Iranian authorities have acknowledged arrests and security force casualties while blaming “rioters” and “vandalism” for the unrest. Meanwhile, exiled opposition figures and Western leaders have voiced support for the protesters. U.S. President Donald Trump said he is willing to back Iranians demonstrating against the authorities, as his administration started weighing options for possible military action against the country. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials are discussing potential strikes on several Iranian military sites.
