Hospitals across Iran are struggling to cope with a surge in injured patients as anti-government protests continue to spread through dozens of cities, according to doctors, medics and human rights groups.
Medical workers at major hospitals say facilities are operating in crisis mode amid an influx of wounded protesters. A doctor told the BBC that Tehran’s Farabi Hospital, the country’s leading eye specialist centre, has been overwhelmed, forcing the suspension of non-urgent admissions and surgeries while staff are recalled to handle emergency cases.
A medic at a hospital in the south-western city of Shiraz also reported a severe shortage of surgeons as large numbers of injured people were brought in. He claimed many of the patients had suffered gunshot wounds, particularly to the head and eyes.
The protests, which began on December 28, have continued despite coordinated warnings from Iranian authorities. Two human rights organisations estimate that at least 50 protesters have been killed so far. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) said at least 50 protesters and 15 security personnel have died, with more than 2,300 people arrested. Norway-based Iran Human Rights reported at least 51 deaths, including nine children, adding that it had confirmed the identities of many of the victims.
Access to information remains limited, as most international media are barred from reporting inside Iran and the country has been under a near-total internet blackout since Thursday evening. Some information has emerged through satellite internet connections.
International reaction has intensified. United Nations Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the UN was deeply disturbed by the loss of life, stressing that people everywhere have the right to peaceful protest and that governments must protect that right.
French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement urging Iranian authorities to safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.
The United States also weighed in, with President Donald Trump warning on Friday that Iran was in “big trouble” and cautioning against the use of lethal force against protesters. In response, Iran accused Washington of fuelling unrest, telling the UN Security Council that the US was turning demonstrations into what it described as “violent subversive acts and widespread vandalism.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, struck a defiant tone in a televised address, saying the Islamic Republic would not retreat in the face of opposition and would confront what he called “destructive elements.” He later repeated the message in remarks broadcast on state television.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, praised the protests as “magnificent” and called on Iranians to organise further targeted demonstrations over the weekend.
