Iran’s Use of Drones Amid Widespread Protests Escalates Death Toll and Repression
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s government has intensified its crackdown on nationwide protests by deploying surveillance drones, a tactic that human rights activists say has contributed to a soaring death toll and mass arrests. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 544 deaths have been confirmed amid the unrest, with over 10,000 people detained across the country.
The protests, which have engulfed 186 cities in all 31 provinces, have been met with a severe response from Iranian security forces, who are reportedly using drones to monitor and control demonstrations. Military drone expert Cameron Chell, CEO and co-founder of Draganfly, explained to Fox News Digital that drones provide the Iranian regime with a “distinctive upper hand” in surveillance and intelligence gathering. While he doubts drones are being used for direct strikes, Chell noted that they likely assist in positioning snipers and intimidating protesters, underscoring the government’s serious approach to quelling dissent.
The crackdown has been shrouded in secrecy due to a near-total internet blackout, with connectivity levels plummeting to about 1% of normal, according to NetBlocks. This blackout has made independent verification of the full scale of violence difficult. Still, conservative estimates from Iran International suggest that the death toll may exceed 2,000 in just the past 48 hours.
HRANA’s reports reveal that protests have been recorded at 585 locations, and security forces have responded with overwhelming force, including intimidation, warning shots, and direct assaults. In southeastern Iran, particularly in Zahedan, rights groups have documented security forces firing live rounds at protesters following prayers, resulting in numerous injuries.
Ali Safavi, a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, confirmed drone activity over Tehran’s Ferdow Boulevard, highlighting the regime’s fear of the growing public unrest. “The regime, in fear of the people, deployed drones to monitor and control the demonstrations,” Safavi said. He also described violent clashes between protesters and suppressive forces in various areas.
The United States government has taken note of the escalating violence. President Donald Trump has issued warnings against harming protesters, while lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham have condemned the Iranian leadership’s brutal response. The situation has drawn international attention as the regime’s use of technology to enforce repression raises concerns about human rights violations.
The deployment of drones in this context is part of a broader trend of authoritarian governments leveraging military technology to maintain control over populations. The U.S. Department of State has frequently highlighted Iran’s human rights abuses, and the current unrest adds to a history of crackdowns on dissent.
As the protests continue, the Iranian government’s strategy of combining internet blackouts with aerial surveillance and ground force suppression signals a determination to stifle opposition at any cost. Human rights organizations and international observers remain alarmed by the unfolding “massacre,” calling for greater transparency and accountability.
For now, the full human cost of the crackdown remains obscured by restricted communications and the regime’s tight control over information. However, the confirmed figures and eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of a government employing advanced technology to suppress a population demanding change.
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