Horrifying footage of Iran's security forces open fire at protesters in Mashhad

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Dramatic footage shows clashes between Iranian security forces and civilians in Mashhad, Iran, on Thursday, Jan. 9, amid renewed unrest. The video circulating online appears to show security personnel using heavy weapons and force against people on the streets. Activists say civilians were killed or injured during the operation, though casualty figures and the exact circumstances could not be independently verified. Iranian authorities have not commented directly on the footage. Access to information remains limited due to restrictions on media and internet access during periods of unrest. Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, has been a recurring flashpoint during nationwide protests, with demonstrations often met by a strong security response. On Wednesday Jan 21, Iranian state television has released the first official death toll from the recent antigovernment protests that engulfed the country, reporting that 3,117 people were killed during the crackdown. In a statement carried by Press TV on Wednesday Jan 21, Iran’s Martyrs Foundation said that 2,427 of those killed in the demonstrations were civilians and security forces. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has said 4,519 were killed during the wave of demonstrations, including 4,251 protesters, 197 security personnel, 35 people aged under 18 and 38 bystanders who it says were neither protesters nor security personnel. HRANA also said 9,049 additional deaths were under review.