Iranian doctor recalls horrific scenes after violent crackdown | 7.30

Key Concepts

• Iranian Protests (January 8-9): Nationwide demonstrations sparked by a call from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the Shah.
• Regime Crackdown: Violent suppression of protests by Iranian security forces, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.
• Triage: The process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition, used by Dr. Arash in the overwhelmed emergency rooms.
• Information Control: The Iranian regime’s suppression of communication and dissemination of propaganda during the protests.
• Death Toll Discrepancy: Significant difference between official government figures and estimates from medical professionals and witnesses regarding the number of fatalities.

The Deadly Crackdown on Iranian Protests: Accounts from Witnesses and a Doctor

This account details the experiences of three individuals – Dr. Arash, Sara, and Naveid – during the Iranian protests of January 8th and 9th, triggered by a call to action from Reza Pahlavi. The narrative highlights the brutal response of the Iranian regime and the devastating consequences for protesters.

The Overwhelmed Emergency Rooms: Dr. Arash’s Testimony

Dr. Arash, an Iranian physician now based in Australia, recounts being summoned to a hospital during the first night of protests. He describes a scene of utter chaos: an emergency room “overflowing with protesters gunned down by security services.” He was immediately tasked with triage, a critical process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries.

“I can remember that I was just walking between patients and I wasn’t paying attention to patients that cried because I feel that a patient that cries will survive at least 2 3 hours later. And I was just looking for patients that were silent,” Dr. Arash stated, illustrating the horrific conditions and the need to focus on those with the most immediate chance of survival.

He performed 18 surgeries between 10:30 PM and 5:00 AM, but acknowledges that many patients died due to the severity of their injuries and the lack of timely medical intervention. He explicitly states, “Definitely” when asked if patients died while waiting for surgery, emphasizing the systemic failures contributing to the loss of life. Between 8:00 PM and midnight, thousands were injured, with many dying in the streets or within the hospital due to insufficient resources.

Peaceful Protest and Violent Response: Sara’s Experience

Sara, a protester who has since returned to Australia, describes a peaceful demonstration in a city several hundred kilometers from Tehran. She emphasizes the diverse participation, including families and children, and the sense of empowerment derived from collective action. “We saw families, even children. They were taking their hands and they came out…That makes you feel powerful.”

Crucially, Sara notes the protesters were unarmed: “No one between us brought even a knife or something to defend ourselves. Nothing. because we didn’t want to give them excuse to kill us.” The protest began with chants against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and in support of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The response was immediate and brutal: security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition.

Following the initial crackdown, Sara recounts the regime’s attempt to control the narrative through threatening messages disseminated via the only remaining open communication channels: “The only thing that was open was the government’s messages. They sent us through some threatening messages like there are terrorists among the people. Keep your children inside your home.” On the second night of protests, Sara heard continuous gunfire and witnessed residents displaying support for the Shah from their balconies.

The Violence Spreads: Naveid’s Account from Rasht

Naveid, a resident of Rasht (approximately 300 kilometers north of Tehran), describes a similarly violent response in his city. He states, “They opened fire on the people. They shot the people.” He recounts the burning of the bazaar and the widespread fear among the population. He emphasizes the indiscriminate nature of the violence: “They shot everyone. Everyone. Everyone. They didn’t ask the people, ‘What are you doing here? Do you want to buy something?’ They shot everyone on this night.” For those trapped in the bazaar, escape was impossible.

Estimating the True Death Toll

Dr. Arash expresses skepticism regarding official government figures on the number of deaths. He believes the actual death toll is significantly higher, estimating between 40,000 and 50,000 fatalities based on his analysis of surgical rates, bed availability, and interviews with colleagues and families of victims. He dismisses reported figures of 2,000 or 12,000 as “a joke.” He attributes his estimate to a systematic assessment of available data, acknowledging the difficulty in obtaining verifiable numbers.

The Impact of External Support and Future Prospects

Dr. Arash suggests that the protests were fueled, in part, by perceived support from external actors, specifically Reza Pahlavi’s call to action and a statement from President Trump offering support. However, he believes the violent crackdown and the subsequent disillusionment have diminished the protesters’ immediate capacity for further resistance. “The people came to the street…and they were killed massively. So from this point I cannot think that people have enough energy and motivation to do some rising again at least in short time.”

Technical Terms:

• Triage: A process used in emergency medicine to prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition.
• Supreme Leader (Ali Khamenei): The highest political and religious authority in Iran.
• Exiled Son of the Shah (Reza Pahlavi): The heir to the former Iranian monarchy, who called for protests.
• Bazaar: A traditional marketplace, often serving as a center for social and political activity.