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Iranians cross into Iraqi Kurdistan despite internet blackout
At a snow-dusted mountain crossing from Iran into Iraqi Kurdistan, travelers continue to trickle across the frontier despite Tehran's near-total communications shutdown. The border remains one of the few open gateways out of the country as security forces suppress nationwide unrest.
Injured protesters avoid hospitals, fearing arrest
A man who requested anonymity recounted being struck by seven pellet rounds during a protest in central Iran last Friday. He showed journalists multiple bruises and lacerations on his face, including wounds above his eyelid, cheek, and jaw. Using a razor blade, he extracted one of the pellets himself.
"I couldn't go to a hospital," he said. "Security forces would arrest me." He described a friend's 12- or 13-year-old son who was shot twice in the leg with live ammunition. One bullet remains lodged in the boy's shin, but the family refuses medical care out of fear.
Protests persist in some areas, witnesses claim
The man said demonstrations continued this week in Tehran suburbs and other cities, though he had lost contact with organizers since Tuesday night. Another traveler reported seeing protesters in Tehran on Wednesday, though details of the gathering remain unverified.
International media, including the BBC, are barred from reporting inside Iran, and little footage has emerged. Rights groups estimate at least 2,500 people have been killed in the crackdown.
Economic grievances fuel discontent
A teacher from a border town said her salary covers only 10 days of monthly expenses. "I just want a normal life-a house, a car," she said. "Who leads the country doesn't matter if we can't afford basics."
"We're waiting to see what Trump does. Civilians are being killed in the meantime."
Regime's crackdown exposes vulnerabilities
Analysts say Iran's harsh response reflects its weakened position. Regional allies like Hezbollah and Syria's Assad have been diminished by recent conflicts, while last year's clashes with Israel and the U.S. depleted military resources. The government's repression, they argue, masks its inability to address economic hardship or protect citizens from external threats.
Border crossing offers rare glimpse into crisis
Inside the arrivals hall, families reunite, while others pass through without stating their reasons for leaving. Iranian officials report normal traffic flows, though no one interviewed admitted fleeing the protests. The crossing remains a quiet witness to the regime's struggle to contain dissent.
