Shooting Witness: Eyewitness Account of Mass Shooting

An Iranian woman who witnessed the recent crackdown on protests in Iran described how her neighborhood transformed into a “war zone” as security forces fired live ammunition at crowds. A government-imposed internet blackout, now in its third week, has limited the flow of information from the country.

Bloody Crackdown in Isfahan

Parnia, a London resident, was visiting family in Isfahan when protests erupted following unrest in the capital, Tehran. Within days, hundreds of protesters gathered in the Hakim Nezami and Khaghani neighborhoods of Isfahan.

“There were women and men from seven to 70 years old,” she said. “On just one street there were 200 to 300 people. People were chanting ‘Death to the dictator’ and ‘Long live the shah’.” The “dictator” refers to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while the reference to the shah alludes to Iran’s late last monarch and his exiled son, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Parnia stated she had never witnessed such intense unrest in Isfahan, even during previous protests, noting the current unrest was sparked by anger over the collapse of the Iranian currency.

Security forces initially deployed tear gas, then began firing birdshot at protesters. “I saw people getting shot and falling down, and I saw blood on the street,” Parnia recounted.

She described being pulled into an apartment building by a woman while fleeing down alleyways, where she found numerous injured protesters. “I saw the lobby floor covered in blood, and I saw a girl whose leg was full of pellets.”

Verified footage from that night shows large crowds in Isfahan, with protesters attempting to barricade streets with traffic sign poles and metal sheets to protect themselves from gunfire. Footage also showed protesters breaching the gates of the national broadcaster Irib, which was subsequently set on fire.

On January 9th, Khamenei stated Iran would not back down from dealing with what he called “destructive elements,” following a threat from US President Donald Trump to hold Iran accountable for killing protesters.

Following Khamenei’s speech, the Revolutionary Guards sent text messages across Iran, warning people to avoid gatherings and labeling cooperation with “terrorist mercenaries” as treason.

Despite the risks, Parnia joined protests again on Friday evening. “The protesters were hopeful,” she said. “You could see fear on everyone’s faces. We were afraid to pass in front of the security forces and come closer together. We thought even if we get killed, it would be a reason for Trump to act faster.”

Footage obtained by the BBC showed large crowds on main streets the previous day, but Parnia said Friday’s protests were different. “Protesters were in small groups gathered in alleyways. Every time that someone tried to gather in the larger street, we could hear live fire sound followed by screams and shouts.”

Parnia described a scene of “total chaos” at a local clinic treating wounded protesters. “No phone lines were working. Nobody could call their families, and many refused to go to hospitals, fearing they could be arrested there. All the nurses could do was clean the wounds and send them home. The next day you could still smell the tear gasses in the air. Security forces were present and there were checkpoints across the city.”

Parnia left Isfahan that day and traveled to Tehran to catch a flight back to London. “I arrived in Tehran at 6pm. All the shops were closed and many people gathered in the streets. At 8pm everyone started to chant and I could hear gunshots. The airport was so busy. Many foreign airlines were cancelled and people were frustrated. Luckily, I found an Iranian flight to leave.”

Since returning to the UK, Parnia has been in contact with friends in Isfahan. She learned from a source that doctors at Feiz eye hospital in Isfahan had performed around 300 surgical procedures to remove pellets from patients’ eyes.

“Every time you go out into the streets, you see random people with eye patches,” Parnia’s friends told her. According to health workers who spoke to the BBC, hospitals are monitored by security forces, and people with gunshot wounds in Isfahan are being arrested.

“Many of the injured are developing infections. Some doctors are referring them to surgeons who can treat them in private clinics,” Parnia’s friends reported.

Iranian authorities claim around 3,000 people have been killed during the protests, while US-based human rights group HRANA has confirmed more than 4,600 deaths, with another 9,700 cases under review. Many believe the actual figures are even higher.

Parnia said she is now preparing to join Iranian opposition protests in the UK, stating she wants to be a voice for the silenced protesters. She also expressed anger at reports suggesting Iranians and the political opposition were not united. “Iranians have shown what they want in the streets and paid a high price for it.”