“Fear had driven the security forces to a state of chaos, where they fired indiscriminately, no longer distinguishing between women, men, or children,” said a source who requested anonymity.

He chose the pseudonym Amirhossein, in memory of a young protester who recently lost his life during the demonstrations.

What began as protests over economic issues in Iran nearly two weeks ago has quickly transformed into a broader anti-regime movement. Demonstrators have been heard chanting slogans like “Death to the dictator,” targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

At this time, SBS News has not been able to independently verify the death toll related to these protests.

Similarly, claims of indiscriminate killings or potential crimes against humanity remain unverified by SBS.

SBS was not able to independently verify claims of indiscriminate killing or crimes against humanity.

Trump did not rule out potential US military action, saying “we are going to watch what the process is” before noting that his administration had received a “very good statement” from Iran.

‘They were not afraid’

“Being out on the streets was more frightening for us than for the young people,” he said.

Hengaw has reported that authorities had told Soltani’s family that the death sentence was final, while Araghchi has said that “there is no plan for hanging”.

‘Regime in a bad spot’

“The Iranian regime has been trading on its strength and its capacity to stand up for Israel for its entire lifetime, and within the space of a few days, it became very clear that actually Israel had deeply penetrated Iran and … no-one in the regime was safe.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian — an elected figure whose power is subordinate to that of Iran’s supreme leader — told a cabinet meeting that as long as the government had popular support, “all the enemies’ efforts against the country will come to nothing”, Reuters reported.

‘As if the whole city poured into the streets’

“It means people who’ve been pushed to the very edge have nothing left to lose, and they’re saying: ‘You only die once, you only mourn once’, so let’s take to the streets again.”