A chilling spectacle unfolded at Tehran University as pro-government demonstrators openly called for the death of America and the assassination of a former president. Images broadcast by Iranian state television revealed a gathering orchestrated by the regime, a stark display of defiance amidst internal turmoil.
Protesters brandished portraits of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, their fervor amplified by crudely made signs depicting a former president. Some signs, bearing Arabic script, ominously declared, “This time there will be no error,” a direct reference to a previous, unsuccessful attempt on his life.
Another sign, chillingly direct in English, stated, “The arrow doesn’t always miss,” a veiled threat that underscored the escalating tension. This demonstration wasn’t a spontaneous outburst, but a carefully constructed event designed to project strength as the Iranian government faces mounting internal pressure.
The display of animosity coincides with widespread unrest fueled by a crippling economic crisis gripping the nation. While the regime attempts to project control, a brutal crackdown on dissent continues to unfold behind closed doors.
Humanitarian organizations estimate that over 2,000 protesters have been killed by Iranian security forces, a number believed to be significantly underestimated. The true scale of the violence remains shrouded in secrecy, obscured by a near-total internet shutdown imposed by the authorities.
Adding to the complexity, Iran briefly closed its airspace Thursday, disrupting regional air travel for approximately five hours. The sudden closure, signaled by a Notice to Air Missions, raised immediate concerns about potential escalation and further instability.
A former president, speaking from the Oval Office, stated he had been informed that the killing of protesters in Iran was “stopping.” However, independent reports paint a far grimmer picture, suggesting the violence persists despite official claims.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), protests continued for an 18th consecutive day, even as the government maintained its suffocating grip on information. The agency documented 617 protest gatherings across 187 cities.
The figures compiled by HRANA are devastating: at least 18,470 arrests and the confirmed deaths of 2,615 individuals, including 13 children under the age of 18. These numbers represent a profound human tragedy unfolding within Iran’s borders.
Amidst the escalating crisis, warnings have been issued, with threats of potential action against the regime. The situation remains volatile, a dangerous confluence of internal unrest, external tensions, and a desperate struggle for control.
