{
  "id": 3070757,
  "title": "Iran Protest Victim: 'They Were Shooting to Kill'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/iran-protest-victim-they-were-shooting-to-kill-3070757",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T17:18:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2118246/iran-protest-victim-they-were-shooting-to-kill"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In January 2026, weeks before US and Israeli attacks on Iran, thousands of Iranians risked their lives in the largest and most widespread public uprising the Tehran regime had ever experienced. The protests, which began in December 2025 due to economic hardship, quickly expanded in scope and scale, leading to a violent crackdown by the regime's security forces. These forces, comprising elements from the Ministry of Intelligence, the Basij militia, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), deployed gunfire and beatings against the protesters. The international community condemned the regime's brutal response, with US President Donald Trump even threatening military strikes. However, the promised military intervention never materialized.\n\nIranian authorities reported over 3,100 deaths resulting from the January 2026 protests. However, Amnesty International and Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) dispute these figures, estimating a much higher death toll of thousands. The actual number of injuries is also believed to be significantly higher due to internet shutdowns and the pressure on victims' families to avoid medical treatment. Seven months after the crackdown, victims face permanent physical disabilities, loss of employment, and educational opportunities.\n\nMassoud, a protester buried just days after his injuries went untreated, was hit by pellets in the head and then shot in the thigh, leading to the dislocation of his femur. His relatives raised funds for his treatment but ultimately chose not to seek further medical care, fearing the shame it would bring upon their family. Physician Hamid Hemmatpour, a board member of the Austrian Association of Health Professionals for Human Rights, revealed that many wounded sought treatment at home due to fear of arrest and the unavailability of medical facilities during the protests. He stated that security forces often transported injured individuals in pickup trucks or piled them beneath the bodies of other wounded people during transport.\n\nThe crackdown on protesters extended beyond those directly involved. Innocent bystanders, including shoppers, partygoers, and business owners, were also targeted and injured. The regime's indiscriminate violence resulted in severe injuries, amputations, and psychological trauma for countless individuals, leaving them unable to work or continue their education. Many victims, such as Mahshid Nazemi, a human rights activist and director of Iran House, suffered injuries while simply trying to help others or seeking refuge.",
  "summary": "DW spoke with several Iranians affected by a brutal crackdown at the hands of Tehran's security forces during the height of massive public protests.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Iran protest victim: 'They were shooting to kill'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/iran-protest-victim-they-were-shooting-to-kill",
        "published": "2026-08-24T13:40:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}