Tehran, Jan 13: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally authorized live ammunition against protesters, according to Iran International citing Supreme National Security Council sources and presidential office officials.
The formal order tasked IRGC and Basij militia with shootings, verified through eyewitness accounts, hospital data, and IRGC-linked sources across Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Isfahan. Protests over economic collapse—rial at 1.4 million to USD, 40% inflation, fuel subsidy cuts—have engulfed all 31 provinces.
Reuters reports ~2,000 killed and 10,700 arrested, unverified due to internet blackouts. Unrest follows June’s 12-day Israel war, US nuclear site strikes, and weakened proxies. US President Donald Trump warned of response to protester killings while signaling negotiation interest.
