More than 200 protesters killed in overnight crackdown in Tehran

More than 200 protesters were killed in Iran’s capital Tehran during an overnight crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, Time magazine reported on Friday (January 9), citing medical sources.

According to the report, protests intensified in Tehran on Thursday night, prompting security forces to open fire as demonstrations turned violent.

A Tehran-based doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Time that at least 206 deaths were recorded across six hospitals in the city, with most victims dying from gunshot wounds.

If confirmed, the deaths would signal one of the deadliest crackdowns on protesters in recent years and underscore the Iranian government’s hardline response to unrest, the report said. The alleged killings also appear to disregard earlier warnings from US President Donald Trump, who had cautioned that Iran’s leadership would “pay a heavy price” if protesters were killed.

The protests, which began on December 28, have spread to at least 31 cities across Iran. Despite Thursday night’s violence, demonstrations continued on Friday, with thousands reportedly taking to the streets in Tehran and other cities.

The doctor also claimed that bodies were removed from hospitals on Friday and alleged that security forces used machine-gun fire against protesters outside a police station in northern Tehran, leaving at least 30 people shot. Most of the victims were reportedly young.

The report also noted that the reported casualty figures could not be independently verified.