Hospitals across Iran are struggling to cope with a surge of injured protesters as nationwide demonstrations continue and authorities tighten warnings against those taking part. Medical workers told the BBC that emergency wards in several cities are under extreme pressure, with some facilities unable to treat all incoming patients.
A doctor at Farabi Hospital in Tehran, the country’s main eye treatment centre, said the hospital had entered crisis mode. Non‑urgent surgeries were suspended and extra staff were called in to handle emergency cases. The doctor contacted the BBC using Starlink satellite internet amid a near‑total nationwide blackout that has restricted outside reporting.
In the south‑western city of Shiraz, a medic sent audio and video messages describing large numbers of injured people arriving at his hospital. He said there were not enough surgeons to manage the volume of patients and claimed many of the wounded had gunshot injuries to the head and eyes.
Human rights groups report that at least 50 protesters have been killed since demonstrations began on 28 December. The US‑based Human Rights Activist News Agency said more than 2,300 people have been arrested. Norway‑based Iran Human Rights reported at least 51 deaths, including nine children. BBC Persian has confirmed the identities of 22 victims through family members.
Iran has blamed the United States for what it described as violent acts and vandalism linked to the protests, submitting a complaint to the UN Security Council. US President Donald Trump warned Tehran that Iran was in “big trouble” and said Washington would respond forcefully if protesters were killed.
International leaders called for restraint. A joint statement from French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Iranian authorities to protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The United Nations said it was deeply disturbed by the loss of life.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected calls for compromise in a televised address, saying the Islamic Republic would not retreat in the face of opposition. He later told supporters that the state would confront what he described as destructive elements.
Opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, praised the protests and urged demonstrators to expand their actions, calling for control of city centres. Speaking from the United States, he said he was preparing to return to Iran.
Former British ambassador Sir Simon Gass cautioned against assuming regime change was imminent, pointing to the absence of a unified opposition. He said the protests were broader than previous movements and driven by worsening economic conditions.
Washington said it was closely monitoring developments. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted that the US supported the Iranian people. Iranian activist Taghi Rahmani warned that foreign involvement could damage the independence of the opposition movement.
Iran’s National Security Council issued a statement promising firm legal action against protesters, whom it described as threats to public order. The intelligence arm of the Revolutionary Guard said it would continue operations against what it called hostile plans.
