Tehran: In January 2026, weeks before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, thousands of Iranians risked their lives in what became the largest and most widespread public uprising the regime in Tehran had ever faced. The protests, which began in December 2025 due to economic grievances, quickly expanded in scope and scale, challenging the regime's authority.
According to Deutsche Welle, the Iranian regime's security forces, composed of elements from the Ministry of Intelligence, the Basij militia, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responded to the protesters with gunfire and beatings. The scale of the crackdown drew international criticism, with former U.S. President Donald Trump even threatening military strikes against the regime, promising protesters that "help is on its way." However, as the subsequent war overshadowed the aftermath of the bloody crackdown, international support for the Iranian public waned.
The Iranian authorities reported over 3,100 deaths during the January 2026 protests, but Amnesty International believes the actual number is much higher due to the internet shutdown and pressure on victims' families. The Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), based in the U.S., confirmed over 7,000 deaths and investigated thousands more.
Seven months after the crackdown, victims continue to struggle with permanent disabilities and the loss of opportunities for work and education. Fearing arrest and the insecurity of medical facilities, many have foregone medical treatment. Victims and their families have faced significant challenges in obtaining medical care, often resorting to at-home treatments.
Massoud, a protester injured by police gunfire, succumbed to untreated wounds after months of suffering. His story highlights the dire situation many victims face, with infections and inadequate medical care being common. According to Hamid Hemmatpour, a physician and board member of the Austrian Association of Health Professionals for Human Rights, the treatment and transfer of injured protesters were catastrophic, with severe shortages of medical resources.
Reports from doctors inside Iran estimate thousands of injuries, with the most common injuries involving the head, neck, and chest, indicating a possible intent to kill by security forces. Human rights organizations have documented numerous victims who suffered life-altering injuries, such as Naghmeh, who lost an eye, and Milad, who lost a leg.
The crackdown's impact extended beyond the protesters themselves, affecting bystanders and families. Some individuals were injured while not participating in the protests, and families who filed complaints against indiscriminate shootings faced prosecution by security forces.
Individuals like Mahla, a 32-year-old mother, have been left disabled and unable to work, forcing them into dire economic situations. Ashkan, a young porter, lost a leg and an eye, destroying his dreams and future prospects.
Despite the crackdown, the regime continues to exert pressure on those it perceives as linked to the protests. In the "Alikhani Square" case, 12 individuals were sentenced to death, with five executed so far. According to a UN report, at least 56 people have been executed on charges related to national security, with 27 of them being protesters from January 2026.