As anti-government protests continue in dozens of cities across Iran, doctors and healthcare workers have warned that hospitals are in deep crisis due to the large number of injured. A doctor in Tehran told the BBC that the main eye hospital, Farabi, has entered a "crisis state", with emergency services overwhelmed and non-urgent interventions suspended.
Audio and video messages from a hospital in the city of Shiraz show that a shortage of surgeons is making it impossible to cope with the influx of wounded, many of whom, according to doctors, have gunshot wounds, mainly to the head and eyes. Another health worker in Tehran also confirmed that there are victims with bullet wounds among the patients.
According to human rights organizations, since the protests began on December 28, at least 51 protesters have been killed, including children, and over 2,300 people have been arrested. Iranian authorities deny any killings during the last night in Tehran, but admit that dozens of buildings have been burned and material damage is extensive.
The situation has also escalated internationally. US President Donald Trump declared that Iran is in “big trouble” and warned that any use of force would be met with an immediate response. On the other hand, Tehran accused the US at the UN Security Council of inciting violent protests and organized vandalism.
The UN Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the loss of life, while the leaders of France, Britain and Germany called on Iranian authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest. However, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appeared unwavering, declaring that the regime would not back down in the face of what he described as “destructive elements.”
In contrast, Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, called the protests "magnificent" and called on Iranians to intensify their actions, signaling their intention to return to the country. The protests continue under the darkness of a near-total internet blockade, making it difficult to verify information from the ground.
