Amnesty International Warns of Military-Security Atmosphere in Iranian Cities to Prevent Gatherings

Amnesty International reported that videos and eyewitness accounts from Iran indicate that government forces have created a completely military and security atmosphere in recent days with armed patrols and checkpoints across the country to suppress nationwide protests. The report, published on Friday, January 26, states that a video shared with Amnesty International shows security and military forces patrolling residential neighborhoods, attempting to prevent protests through displays of power. Government agents have also deployed armed units in the streets to enforce a nighttime curfew that has been in place in Tehran and many other cities for a week. According to this human rights organization, agents threaten people with firearms and machine guns mounted on pickup trucks, ordering them to stay in their homes. Amnesty International states that the government aims to send a clear message to protesting citizens that anyone who participates in gatherings or leaves their homes after curfew hours will face deadly consequences. The organization notes that due to the internet shutdown imposed since January 18, people in Iran cannot share information about the crackdowns with the outside world, and the continuation of this trend increases the risk of losing evidence and documentation of crimes. In conclusion, Amnesty International emphasized that Iranian authorities must restore internet access immediately and respect citizens' rights to peaceful protests. While the near-total internet shutdown continues across Iran, it seems that the videos currently being released pertain to the early days of the crackdown. Although the current situation's details cannot be confirmed with certainty, past uprisings suggest that this widespread information blockade is likely a sign of ongoing protests. In recent days, some Iranian citizens have managed to use the internet or contact relatives abroad, reporting similar narratives of intensified military and security atmospheres in cities. Some social media users have described the heightened security atmosphere in various Iranian cities as a form of 'martial law' and reported on government agents' confrontations with citizens. Numerous cities in Iran have established checkpoints with Basij forces stationed at them. These agents stop vehicles and search citizens' mobile phones for news and images of recent protests. Reports from Iran indicate that in recent days, the security atmosphere across the country has significantly intensified. The widespread deployment of security and military forces in the streets, establishment of checkpoints, patrolling of armored vehicles, and presence of armed forces in residential neighborhoods indicate the government's efforts to completely control the public space. The imposition of nighttime curfews in Tehran and several other cities, along with direct threats of violent confrontations against citizens, has severely restricted freedom of movement and assembly. Published images show security forces creating a climate of fear with military weapons and heavy equipment to prevent any protest gatherings. Simultaneously, the internet shutdown and widespread disruption of phone communications have complicated people's access to information and the ability to transmit news abroad, increasing the risk of human rights violations remaining hidden and evidence being lost. This series of actions reflects the establishment of a completely security-oriented and repressive atmosphere where citizens' fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, assembly, and access to information, are severely violated. The Islamic Republic cut off the internet on the evening of Thursday, January 18, when it began a bloody crackdown. CBS News estimates the number of casualties from the Iranian uprising to be between 12,000 and 20,000, which starkly contrasts with the Islamic Republic's official narrative and Khamenei's claims of a 'successful role' of security forces. In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his explicit support for Iranian protesters, warning against the massacre of protesters by the Islamic Republic and its repressive apparatus, stating that if protesters are executed, the United States will take 'very decisive actions.' Following President Trump's warnings to the Islamic Republic, he expressed gratitude on Friday, January 26, via a message on his Truth Social account for the cancellation of planned executions in Iran. However, on Saturday, January 27, he told Politico that the 'Ayatollah' is guilty for 'completely destroying his country' and that 'it is time to seek new leadership in Iran.' He stated regarding Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, that 'his guilt as a leader of a country is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before.' He added, 'For the country to continue functioning, even if this performance is at a very low level, the leadership must focus on properly managing the country - just as I do with the United States - and not kill thousands to maintain its control.'