Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
At least 3,428 people have been killed and more than 10,000 others arrested since anti-government protests erupted across Iran more than two weeks ago, according to a human rights organization. The unrest has triggered one of the deadliest crackdowns in the country’s recent history, drawing sharp condemnation from international rights groups and world powers.
Iran’s judiciary said Wednesday it would hold “swift trials” for those detained during the demonstrations, which authorities have repeatedly described as “riots” orchestrated by hostile foreign actors. Protesters, however, say they are demanding political freedoms, economic relief, and an end to state repression.
Amnesty International accused Iranian authorities of carrying out unlawful mass killings on an “unprecedented scale” to suppress the protests. In a statement released Wednesday, the London-based organization said its findings were based on verified videos, satellite imagery, and eyewitness testimony.
According to Amnesty, Iranian security forces stationed in streets and on rooftops, including residential buildings, mosques, and police stations have repeatedly fired live ammunition and metal pellets at unarmed demonstrators. The group said protesters were often targeted in the head and torso, indicating an apparent intent to kill rather than disperse crowds.
The organization condemned what it described as a “coordinated nationwide escalation” in the use of lethal force since January 8, when Iranian authorities imposed widespread internet restrictions, severely limiting the flow of information out of the country.
The Iranian government has largely denied responsibility for the high death toll, blaming violence on “armed elements” and accusing foreign governments and media outlets of fueling unrest. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had been informed that the killings in Iran had stopped, a claim that could not be independently verified and was contradicted by rights groups reporting continued violence.
The growing death toll and mass arrests have prompted mounting international pressure. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations warned Wednesday that they are prepared to impose additional sanctions on Iran if the crackdown continues. In a joint statement issued by France, which currently holds the G7 presidency, the ministers expressed “grave concern” over reports of widespread killings and injuries.
“We strongly condemn the deliberate use of violence, the killing of protesters, arbitrary arrests, and the use of intimidation by security forces,” the statement said. The declaration was signed by the foreign ministers of Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union’s foreign policy chief.
Human rights advocates warn that the judiciary’s pledge of expedited trials raises fears of mass convictions and harsh sentences, including the possibility of death penalties, following proceedings that may fall short of international standards of due process.
As protests continue despite the heavy crackdown, analysts say the crisis represents a critical test for Iran’s leadership, which is facing sustained domestic unrest alongside growing diplomatic isolation. The coming days are expected to be pivotal in determining whether the demonstrations can be quelled, or whether the confrontation will deepen further, with significant consequences for Iran’s internal stability and its relations with the outside world.
