A bold stand for freedom: Iran's protesters refuse to back down.
In a dramatic display of defiance, Iranian protesters took to the streets on Saturday night, undeterred by the government's brutal crackdown and the reported deaths and injuries of hundreds of people over the past few days.
The BBC has obtained verified videos and eyewitness accounts that paint a chilling picture of the government's escalating response. With an ongoing internet blackout, the world is witnessing a battle for freedom through the lens of limited footage and firsthand stories.
Iran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, issued a chilling warning, declaring protesters to be "enemies of God," a charge that carries the ultimate punishment: death.
Since the protests began more than two weeks ago, the death toll is believed to be in the hundreds, with countless others injured and detained.
The initial spark was economic, with soaring inflation igniting the flames of discontent. But the protests have since evolved into a call for an end to the clerical rule of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spreading to over 100 cities and towns across the country.
In an attempt to quell the unrest, the Iranian government has imposed a total internet shutdown. Iran's data infrastructure is tightly controlled, with internet access restricted to a domestic intranet and limited connections to the outside world.
The current shutdown is unprecedented, with authorities not only blocking access to the global internet but also severely restricting the domestic intranet. An internet researcher, Alireza Manafi, described the situation as "almost completely down," with the only potential connection to the outside world being via Starlink, a risky move as it could expose users to government surveillance.
The BBC and other international news organizations face significant challenges in reporting from within Iran, making it difficult to obtain and verify information. However, some video footage has emerged, providing a glimpse into the chaos on the ground.
Verified videos from Saturday night show protesters taking control of the streets in Tehran's Gisha district. In Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, clashes between protesters and security forces were captured on Vakil Abad Boulevard. Masked protesters took cover behind makeshift barriers, while a row of security forces loomed in the distance. A bus was seen engulfed in flames, and the sound of gunshots and banging pots and pans filled the air, illuminated by a green laser beam.
Footage from Tehran shows a large group of protesters in Punak Square, one of the protest hotspots this week. Another clip from the Heravi district shows protesters marching and calling for an end to the clerical establishment.
Internationally, the protests have gained attention. US President Donald Trump expressed support, writing, "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" While he did not provide details, US media reported that Trump had been briefed on potential military options.
US Senator Lindsey Graham also voiced his support, stating, "Your bravery and determination to end your oppression has been noticed. Help is on the way."
As the sun rose on Sunday in Iran, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, posted a video to X, expressing solidarity with the protesters and promising to return to the country soon.
Amnesty International is analyzing reports of security forces' unlawful use of lethal force, while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has spoken out against the threat of violence and reprisals faced by those speaking out against Khamenei's government.
The human cost of these protests is devastating. Hospital staff have reported being overwhelmed with casualties, with BBC Persian verifying that 70 bodies were brought to one hospital in Rasht city on Friday night alone. BBC Persian has confirmed the identities of 26 people killed, including six children, and members of the security forces have also lost their lives.
A hospital worker in Tehran described the harrowing scenes, stating, "Around 38 people died. Many as soon as they reached the emergency beds... direct shots to the heads and hearts of young people."
These protests are the most widespread since the 2022 uprising sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman detained by morality police for her hijab. Over 550 people were killed and 20,000 detained during that period, according to human rights groups.
The situation in Iran is tense and evolving, with protesters risking their lives to fight for freedom and an end to oppression. The world watches, waiting to see how this brave stand for democracy will unfold.
