Reports have emerged of a horrific massacre in Iran. The news site Iran International – which is identified with the opposition and operates from outside Iranian territory – claims that the death toll in the mass protests has exceeded 12,000. This figure represents a number six times higher than the highest estimate provided to date.
The outlet claims its personnel conducted an in-depth, covert investigation within Iranian territory. The assessment relies on data and reports gathered from cemeteries, forensic institutes, and eyewitnesses inside the country.
"This massacre is unprecedented in Iranian history in terms of its geographic scope, the intensity of the violence and the number of deaths in a short period of time. Based on information received by Iran International, these citizens were killed mostly by the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij (paramilitary volunteer militia) forces," the outlet's Persian-language site stated.
The report further alleged that "this massacre was completely organized; not a result of 'scattered clashes' and 'unplanned.' Information Iran International received from the Supreme National Security Council and from the President's Office indicates that this massacre was carried out on the personal order of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with explicit notification and approval of the heads of the three branches of government, and by the issuance of a direct fire order from the Supreme National Security Council."
An Iranian official has reported to Reuters that approximately 2,000 fatalities have occurred during protests opposing the government in Iran, attributing these deaths to "terrorists" responsible for killing both civilians and security forces. This represents the largest officially acknowledged casualty figure from the demonstrations that have destabilized the Islamic Republic.
