Iran’s Crackdown: A Deliberate Pattern of Violence Against Protesters
Chilling X-ray and CT scan images smuggled out of a hospital in Iran reveal a disturbing pattern of deliberate violence inflicted upon protesters during the January 2026 crackdown. The images, shared with the Guardian and analyzed by medical and ballistics experts, demonstrate a systematic targeting of vital body parts – faces, chests, and genitals – with both birdshot and high-caliber bullets.
The Horrific Details Revealed in Medical Scans
The scans depict injuries that experts describe as akin to “wartime injuries.” One particularly harrowing case is that of Anahita, a young woman in her early 20s, whose head X-ray shows dozens of metal pellets embedded in her face, skull, and even her brain. She has likely lost at least one eye, and possibly both. Nearly 30 patients examined had been shot in the face with metal ‘birdshot’.
Beyond facial injuries, scans reveal devastating trauma to other areas. Vahid, a young man, has a large-caliber bullet lodged in his neck, displacing his trachea. Another man’s scan shows a bullet suspended in his brain, accompanied by a gas bubble indicating a catastrophic injury. A woman’s scan shows approximately 200 metal balls distributed across her thighs and pelvic area.
A Pattern Echoing Past Protests
This deliberate targeting isn’t an isolated incident. Experts note a similar trend was observed during the 2022 “Women, life, freedom” protests, suggesting a consistent tactic employed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The sheer volume of injuries appearing at a single hospital within a single evening – over 75 cases documented – underscores the scale of the violence.
The Weapons Used and Their Impact
The injuries were inflicted using a combination of weapons. Birdshot, although often considered “less lethal,” can still cause catastrophic damage, particularly at close range. Scans reveal instances of hundreds of pellets penetrating the body, causing widespread tissue destruction. High-caliber bullets, identified as full metal jacket rounds consistent with those fired from AK-47s or KL-133 rifles, were also used, resulting in devastating and often fatal injuries.
What This Means for the Future
The evidence presented by these medical scans points to a deliberate strategy of inflicting maximum harm and potentially silencing dissent through maiming and killing. This raises serious concerns about the escalation of violence and the lack of accountability for those responsible. The targeting of sensitive areas like the face and genitals suggests an intent to not only disable but also to humiliate and terrorize the population.
The use of birdshot, while seemingly less lethal, is proving to be a devastating weapon in the hands of Iranian security forces. The sheer number of pellets used, combined with close-range firing, results in injuries that are often life-altering and require extensive medical intervention.
FAQ
Q: What is birdshot?
A: Birdshot consists of small, spherical projectiles typically used for hunting birds. Still, at close range, it can cause severe injuries to humans.
Q: What types of injuries were observed in the scans?
A: The scans revealed injuries to the face, chest, and genitals, including eye damage, lung punctures, and damage to vital organs.
Q: Who conducted the analysis of the medical images?
A: A panel of health and ballistics experts outside of Iran, including an emergency medicine doctor, a radiologist, and a trauma imaging specialist, assessed the images.
Q: Is there evidence of tampering with the images?
A: An independent Iranian former ER doctor reviewed the images and found no signs of tampering.
