Iran protests: 648 demonstrators killed, and Russia supports Tehran
Recent human rights reports have revealed a horrific surge in the death toll from the security crackdown on the ongoing protest movement in Iran. The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights (IHR) confirmed that at least 648 protesters have been killed by Iranian security forces. These figures highlight the excessive violence used against protesters in various Iranian cities.
Alarming figures and difficulty in documentation
Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, the organization's director, stated that the announced death toll represents only what the organization was able to verify accurately, emphasizing that "it is the international community's duty to protect civilian protesters from mass killings." The organization indicated that the actual figures could be much higher, with unofficial estimates suggesting more than 6,000 deaths. However, Iranian authorities deliberately shut down and blocked internet services for nearly four days, making the task of documenting violations and independently verifying the number of victims extremely difficult and complex.
Historical context and policy of withholding information
This is not the first time authorities in Tehran have resorted to internet shutdowns during periods of unrest. From the 2009 protests, through the bloody events of 2019, to the recent waves of protests, the Iranian regime has consistently isolated the country digitally from the outside world. This strategy aims to prevent protesters from organizing and to conceal the extent of the repression on the ground, thus hindering international human rights organizations from monitoring violations in real time.
Russian support and stance on foreign intervention
On the political and international front, and in light of Tehran's isolation by Western countries, Russian support for the Iranian regime has become strikingly prominent. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Larijani, during which he strongly condemned what he described as "external attempts to interfere" in Iran's internal affairs.
Russian news agencies reported that Shoigu, during the call, reiterated Moscow's rejection of any actions by external powers aimed at destabilizing Iran, a clear reference to Western support for the protesters' demands for human rights. This stance reflects the depth of the strategic alliance between Moscow and Tehran, as both sides view the popular protests, amplified by Western media coverage, as part of the "color revolutions" aimed at regime change in countries opposed to Western hegemony.
Regional and international repercussions
The continuation of these protests and the rising death toll present Iran with increasing diplomatic challenges, potentially leading to new international sanctions and deeper economic isolation. Conversely, Russia's alignment with Tehran strengthens the formation of an Eastern bloc to counter Western pressure, threatening to further complicate the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and turning Iran's human rights record into a political bargaining chip in the international arena.
