Iranian doctor contradicts foreign media, describing protests as filled with terror and desperation amid internet blackouts and hospital overload.
Doctor’s Experience
An Iranian doctor reports that the hope fueled by foreign media does not reflect the on-ground reality.
CNN and IranWire reached a doctor in Iran who described witnessing protests: “I heard screams, people gathering. I opened my window briefly; the air reeked of gunpowder and tear gas. Internet was cut, then a phone call summoned me to the hospital. On arrival, it was overwhelmed with casualties; all operating rooms occupied. I operated from 10 PM to dawn, unsure how many—perhaps ten or eleven.”
He added that by Friday, all hospital beds were full, emphasizing: “Fear was everywhere. The hope from foreign media isn’t what we feel inside Iran; it’s a mix of terror, desperation, and fleeting hope.”
Protest Death Toll
Bloody Protests in Iran. Over Two Thousand Dead
US-based NGO HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency) reports 2,571 deaths in protests over 17 days, including 2,403 activists and 147 security forces. Earlier, Iranian authorities cited at least 2,000 dead. CNN notes over 18,000 protesters detained. Protests began in late December across 187 cities.
US-Iran Tensions
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged Iranian protesters to continue as “help is on the way.” Iran accuses the US and Israel of inciting unrest. The US has warned of intervention if deaths persist. Reuters reports Iran threatened to attack US bases in the Middle East if attacked, notifying regional allies. Tehran also halted talks between presidential envoy Arakchi and US envoy Witkoff.
