Heartbroken families in Iran are describing the agonising reality of quickfire executions as the regime's violent crackdown on protesters intensifies, with the death toll now estimated to be in the thousands.
Families Describe Agony of Rapid Executions
One such case is that of 26-year-old clothes shop owner Erfan Soltani. Arrested at his home for allegedly taking part in anti-government demonstrations, he is scheduled to be among the first hanged. His family has been told they will have just ten minutes with him before the execution is carried out on Wednesday.
Activists reported on Tuesday that between 2,000 and 3,000 people have been killed since the nationwide protests began just over two weeks ago. The unrest, initially sparked by economic grievances, has met a ferocious response from authorities.
Blackout Eases as Official Toll Acknowledged
For days, understanding the true scale of the crisis was severely hampered by a draconian government-imposed blackout on telecommunications and internet access. Iranians have only recently been able to make phone calls abroad again as this media blackout begins to ease.
In a significant development, Iranian state television has offered the first official acknowledgment of the high death toll. A news presenter read a statement claiming "armed and terrorist groups" had led the country "to present a lot of martyrs to God."
International Condemnation and Sanctions
The UK government has responded forcefully. In the House of Commons, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for "full and further sanctions" targeting Iran's finance, energy, transport, and other key industries. This follows the Foreign Office summoning Iran's ambassador to explain the regime's brutal response.
Ms Cooper blasted what she called a "desperate regime" that must not be allowed to undermine a "genuine grassroots movement."
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to "keep protesting" in a post on his Truth Social platform. He wrote: "Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY."
As the digital curtain lifts slightly, more harrowing images and videos from the protests continue to emerge, painting a picture of a nation in profound turmoil and a regime resorting to extreme violence to maintain its grip on power.
