Is Iran using live ammunition against protestors: Probably, Maybe, or Probably Not?
Evidence for Iran government’s recent use of live ammunition against protestors:
“Although state media did not identify those killed, witnesses and videos circulating on social media appear to show protesters lying motionless on the ground after security forces opened fire.”
“The Guardian has also received images showing two bodies bearing what appear to be pellet and bullet wounds, though the circumstances surrounding the images could not be independently verified.”
- Parent, D. (2026, January 1). Two people confirmed dead as Iran protests turn into ‘battlefield.’ The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/01/two-people-dead-iran-economic-crisis-protests-battlefield
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights:
“Ali Azizi Jafarabadi, a 42-year-old Kurdish man from Harsin County in Kermanshah (Kermashan) province, was killed during protests in the city after Iranian government forces opened direct fire.”
- Ali Azizi killed by direct fire during protests in Kermanshah. (n.d.). https://hengaw.net/en/news/2026/01/article-14-1
Iran International:
“Security forces used live fire in several cities, including Nurabad in Lorestan and Hamedan in western Iran, where videos showed officers shooting at demonstrators who remained in the streets despite the crackdown.”
- US ready to intervene if Iran kills protesters, Trump warns. (2026, January 2). Iran International. https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601026411
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC):
“Fars reported that in Lordegan two people were killed, citing an informed official. The report did not specify whether those killed were protesters or members of the security forces. It also reported the three deaths in Azna, in neighbouring Lorestan province, without specifying if there were protesters or security officials.”
- Habibiazad, G. (2026, January 2). Six killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in Iran. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36810pkz96o
Answer: Maybe.
Evidence for Iran government’s historical use of live fire against protestors…
Aljazeera:
“Iran’s brutal response to the unrest involved the arbitrary arrest of tens of thousands of people, the extensive use of tear gas, the firing of live ammunition and, according to human rights organisations, the unlawful deaths of hundreds of people.”
- Cordall, S. S. (2026, January 2). Five things you need to know about protests in Iran. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/2/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-protests-in-iran-2
Amnesty International:
“Iran’s authorities have a harrowing track record of using unlawful lethal force.”
- Amnesty International. (2022, August 8). Iran: Security forces use live ammunition and birdshot to crush Khuzestan protests. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/07/iran-security-forces-use-live-ammunition-and-birdshot-to-crush-khuzestan-protests/
United Nations human rights office:
“We are deeply concerned by reported violations of international norms and standards on the use of force, including the firing of live ammunition, against demonstrators in Iran”, Mr. Colville said.
- Source: Iran protests: Live ammunition reportedly used, says UN human rights office. (2019, November 21). UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1051661
Deliberating Truth 