Iran: Security Forces Refuse Orders to Shoot Protesters as Khamenei Deploys Foreign Militias

Tehran: Protests that began in Iran in late December against rising inflation have escalated into a widespread movement against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Citizens have taken to the streets demanding an end to the Islamic regime, while the government has responded with brutal suppression.

According to reports, over 2,600 protesters have been killed and more than 20,000 arrested so far. Shockingly, the death toll rose from around 600 on Monday to over 2,200 by Tuesday, and surpassed 2,600 by Wednesday. London-based Iran International and U.S.-based CBS News cite sources estimating deaths at around 12,000, with some reports suggesting the toll may have reached 20,000, raising questions about the intensity of the crackdown in just a few days.

Iranian Security Forces Refuse Orders
Amid the unrest, reports indicate that some Iranian security personnel have refused orders to open fire on protesters. Kurdish human rights group Hengaw Organization for Human Rights confirmed that certain government forces declined to shoot demonstrators, and some of these personnel were subsequently detained.

Foreign Militias on Iranian Streets
Sources indicate that Shia militias from neighboring Iraq have entered Iran, potentially linked to the recent surge in violence. Opposition leader Mehdi Reza told The Media Line that these militias have been deployed to protect government headquarters. On January 12, Iranian journalist Nejat Bahrami shared a video showing crowds carrying Hezbollah and old Syrian flags, claiming they were Hezbollah and Hashd al-Shaabi fighters announcing their readiness to support Khamenei’s regime.

The sudden spike in protester deaths appears connected to this Iraqi militia presence. Reports suggest that Khamenei has activated the “Axis of Resistance,” deploying members of Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah, Badr, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada militias to suppress demonstrations.