"They didn't shoot to disperse us. They shot to kill." This terrifying testimony from "Sarah," a 50-year-old entrepreneur in Tehran, captures the horror unfolding across Iran. What began as a protest against economic hardship has morphed into a bloody battle for survival, with security forces turning wealthy neighborhoods like Andarzgoo into killing fields.

Despite a near-total internet blackout, snippets of video and voice notes are leaking out via Starlink connections. They paint a picture of a regime that has abandoned all restraint. In one verified clip, Basij militia members are seen firing assault rifles indiscriminately into a crowd of families walking peacefully.

The "Shameless" Crackdown

The violence is not limited to the working-class south. The protests have breached the "fear barrier" of the middle and upper classes. "I have nothing left to lose," Sarah told The Guardian via her cousin. "My savings are gone, my freedom is gone. If I die here, at least I die screaming."

• The Tactics: Security forces are using a mix of tear gas, birdshot, and military-grade live ammunition. Ambulances are reportedly being used to transport detained protesters to black sites, making people afraid to seek medical help.
• The Resilience: Despite the carnage, the crowds are growing. "For every person they kill, ten more come out," said an activist in Isfahan. The chant "Death to the Dictator" has replaced economic slogans.
• The Blackout: The regime has cut off mobile data and blocked VPNs, isolating cities from one another. Yet, the news travels by word of mouth and rooftop chants.

A Point of No Return

The crackdown has radicalized the opposition. Calls for reform have vanished; the demand is now the total overthrow of the Islamic Republic. As the streets fill with blood, the compromise option has drowned in it.