Authorities have traditionally used violence to crush unrest. During the 2022 protests – sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who had been detained in Tehran for wearing “improper hijab” – more than 550 people were allegedly killed by security forces, according to human rights groups.
While the latest response by police and security forces initially appeared to be more restrained, verified footage has shown officers ramping up the use of force since Saturday. This change in approach coincided with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s first public reaction to the protests on that day, in which he said that “rioters must be put in their place”.
Since the supreme leader’s remarks, Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, said authorities would “listen to protesters and critics who legitimately and rightly have concerns about their livelihood and social and economic welfare”.
But he added that they would “deal firmly with those who seek to exploit the situation, incite riots, and undermine the security of the country and the people”. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has also issued warnings to protesters in Lorestan province that they will no longer tolerate street gatherings.
BBC Persian has so far confirmed the identities of at least 11 people reported dead since 28 December using a combination of verified funeral videos and interviews with family members and friends.
Foreign-based human rights group HRANA says at least 35 people have so far been killed in the unrest, including two affiliated with security forces.