In Iran’s Darkness, the Diaspora Becomes the Echo of a Nation’s Cry
Artist: Ahmad Barakizadeh
More than two weeks ago, the Islamic Republic imposed a sweeping internet shutdown, as nationwide demonstrations in Iran entered their twelfth day. Under the shroud of darkness, state militia and its proxies from neighbouring countries, battled unarmed protesters with assault rifles, armored vehicles, and drones.
Rights groups and medical personnel reported that some wounded demonstrators were taken from hospitals by security units and later found dead, killed at close range. According to figures cited by various human rights organisations, between 5,000 and more than 40,000, mostly under 30, have been killed so far.
While violent crackdowns, arrests, and executions continue, protestors inside Iran have retreated from the streets to rooftops, chanting “Death to the Dictator.” But the Iranian diaspora has moved swiftly to echo their cry and demand unified global action to halt the bloodshed.
Artist: Behnam Mohammadi
Demonstrations have spread across East Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, marking an unprecedented level of coordination and mobilization. Hundreds of thousands have organized rallies, sit-ins, and advocacy campaigns asking for a united global action to stop the slaughter and atrocities continuing under the shroud of the internet blackout.
History suggests that, even if suppressed for now, Iranians will reemerge with even greater force to bring an end to the Islamic Republic.
Welcome to the Kayhan Life Week in Review
This week was marked by intensifying efforts by the Islamic Republic authorities to suppress dissent, harrowing testimonies from Iranian protestors, and escalating geopolitical tension. The situation in Iran has reached a critical inflection point.
►Six Iranian protesters who said they witnessed the brutal crackdown of mass demonstrations spoke exclusively to Kayhan Life, describing the crackdown as an organized military assault against unarmed civilians, with heavy weapons, coordinated units, and an intent to kill rather than to disperse the crowds.
►Accounts from families and witnesses suggest that indiscriminate force used by security forces to crush the unrest killed many civilians who were not participating, leaving relatives to scour hospitals, morgues, and detention centres for answers.
►Prince Reza Pahlavi called for international support to liberate Iran from the Islamic Republic, “a foreign occupying force responsible for mass atrocities,” including the killing of more than 12,000 protesters in 48 hours.
►Prominent Iranian athletes and actors are being caught up in the crackdown against the deadly wave of protests across the country. The Tehran Prosecutor’s Office announced on Jan. 20 that criminal cases had been opened against dozens of public figures and businesses accused of supporting the protests.
►Iran’s authorities sought to project an image of stability, even as life for citizens remained anything but normal, with a nationwide internet shutdown and severe communications restrictions very much in force.
►Iran‘s president warned that any U.S. strike would trigger a “harsh response” from Tehran. Iran‘s judiciary indicated that executions may go ahead.
►Expressing “full support for the opposition,” the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the European Council to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—along with its Basij militia and Quds Force—to the European Union terrorist list.
►In parallel, the U.N. Human Rights Council condemned Iran for rights abuses and mandated an investigation into the crackdown on anti-regime protests that killed tens of thousands of people. “This is the worst mass murder in the contemporary history of Iran,” Payam Akhavan, a former U.N. prosecutor, told the meeting. He called for a “Nuremberg moment”, referring to the international criminal trials of Nazi leaders following World War Two.
►Meanwhile, nuclear tensions continue to sharpen. Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, warned that the standoff over Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile and blocked inspections cannot continue indefinitely.
►A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and additional assets are expected in the Middle East in the coming days. Although President Donald Trump has signaled a desire to avoid further escalation with Iran, he renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program.
Kayhan Life’s Curated News
- Latest Human Rights Report: 43,000 Killed in the Crackdown on Protests in Iran For Immediate Release
- In Iran, something irreversible has already taken place
- How much longer can Iran’s Islamic Republic survive?
- How the Iranian Regime Breaks
- Why the Gulf states are wary of a strike on Iran
Updates from Kayhan Life’s Social Media
- Tehran Heravi District: Night-time Chants in Response to Prince Reza Pahlavi
- Martial Law Grips Mashhad Armored Vehicles Advance Along Kalantari Highway
- Lion-and-Sun Flag Raised at Memorial for Slain Iranian Protester
- Activists Confront Iranian Envoy at U.N.
- British Iranian Diaspora Rally in Support of Iranian Protesters
- Injury Reported After Attack at Hamburg Rally
- Toronto Stands with Iran in Mass Protests
- Iranian Diaspora Rallies in Los Angeles
- London Protester Learns of Brother’s Death after Spotting His Image on Billboard
- Thousands Rally in Rome to Support Iranian Protesters
- Prince Reza Pahlavi: A New Chapter for Iran and the World
- Applause at European Parliament for Iran’s Silent Voices
- UK Minister Condemns Iran Protest Killings
- Madonna Voices Support for a Free Iran
- A Voice for Freedom: Parnian Moshayed’s Latest Anthem of Resistance
- Kayhan Life’s Nazenin Ansari on Christiane Amanpour’s CNN Show
Treat of the Week
Sosis Bandari Tahdig
The Kayhan Life Team wishes you a good weekend.
