Eyewitness account from an Iranian doctor, now safely out of the country, describes unbelievable brutality during the 2026 protests:

“I heard gunfire like never before,” the doctor said, describing the use of DShK heavy machine guns mounted on IRGC pickup trucks driving through the streets of Isfahan. “Witnesses saw them mounted and firing. In Tehran I was in the operating room, but in Isfahan on Friday I am certain it was DShK fire.”

Destruction was widespread. “Not a single traffic light intact. Not a single bus stop left standing.” Government buildings, police stations, and municipal offices were deliberately targeted to paralyze the state. Street cleaners were ordered to begin work earlier than usual to hide the damage. “You would be shocked seeing it.”

Violence escalated sharply after security forces were told there would be no accountability. “They treated it as a wartime situation. Suppress by any means.” One official warned residents, “Do not come out on Saturday or your life is your responsibility.” The doctor said, “He was telling the truth.”

Even bystanders were not spared. “You do not need to be a protester to be shot. You could just be passing by.” State television aired footage of a father crying over his child who was shot in the street.

The weapons used shocked even experienced professionals. “Where in the world do you have permission to use automatic fire in the street?” the doctor said. “Even with a military background, I can tell you Kalashnikovs are not allowed on automatic fire even at shooting ranges.”

Trauma cases showed clear intent. “Brutal. Shoot to kill. First shot to the abdomen. First shot to the chest. Random automatic fire into crowds.” He added, “Police training does not include this. Here, it was deliberate.”

Hospitals and doctors were overwhelmed. “On Thursday and Friday, I received probably 300 to 500 calls in 24 hours. My phone kept ringing and overheating. I charged it three times.” People spoke in coded language out of fear of surveillance. For pellet wounds, doctors advised, “Leave them in. Do not worry. It will not get infected. It will barely show on X ray. Airport scanners will not detect it.”

The injured ranged from age 16 to 70, mostly between 18 and 28. “One colleague told me that during one night shift, eight bodies were brought in with shotgun pellets to the face. Faces unrecognizable. Many bodies are not identifiable at all.”

Despite the violence, protesters showed extraordinary courage. Slogans were shouted openly, including “Death to Khamenei.” The doctor said, “The courage of these young people was astonishing. The anger and desperation were so deep that they accepted even a ten percent chance of being shot to bring this to an end.”

The account describes a regime at war with its own people. The scale of violence, the doctor said, is far worse than what has been reported publicly.

— Open Source Intel, X