Freshly authenticated footage from Iran reveals bodies piled inside a hospital, armed men stationed on rooftops, and surveillance cameras being smashed, rare evidence of a sweeping crackdown on anti-government demonstrations amid a near-total internet shutdown.
BBC Verify confirmed several videos recorded on 8, 9 January, which appear to capture some of the deadliest days since unrest spread nationwide in late December. The protests gained momentum following calls for mass rallies by Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s late shah.
Reports of casualties vary widely. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has verified close to 6,000 deaths, mostly protesters, while continuing to examine thousands more despite the communications blackout.
Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, has warned the toll could surpass 25,000. Authorities in Tehran, however, have admitted to just over 3,100 deaths, claiming most were security forces or civilians caught up in what they call rioting.
One authenticated video shows dozens of corpses inside the mortuary of Tehranpars Hospital in eastern Tehran, with additional clips displaying body bags outside the facility. Other recordings depict crowds blocking highways as gunfire rings out, and protesters disabling CCTV cameras to avoid detection.
Footage from cities such as Kerman and Mashhad shows armed men in military gear firing weapons and snipers positioned on rooftops. BBC Verify said it has tracked demonstrations in at least 71 towns and cities, though the true figure is likely higher.
Since January 8, Iran has been under a sweeping internet blackout, severely restricting independent coverage. Some citizens have managed brief access through satellite connections or VPNs, enabling these videos to leak despite the restrictions.
