Heavy Gunfire Rattles Tehran as Armed Militias Patrol Amid Deadly Protests
TEHRAN, Iran — Gunfire erupted through the streets of Tehran late Tuesday as armed militias, reportedly linked to Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), deployed heavy machine guns across the Iranian capital. Video footage captured bursts of automatic weapons fire after dark, with convoys of armored pickups mounted with large-caliber guns patrolling key urban districts. The scenes marked a stark escalation in the government’s response to ongoing nationwide protests that have now entered their 24th day, with confirmed deaths surpassing 4,500.
According to Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), dozens of Toyota trucks equipped with DShK heavy machine guns were seen maneuvering through Tehran’s streets. Safavi told Fox News Digital that the fighters, who shouted commands in Farsi, are Iraqi Hashd al-Sha’bi and Hezbollah operatives integrated under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The deployment has transformed parts of the capital into fortified zones, with government buildings, state media sites, and major intersections under tight guard.
“These armed groups are operating under the IRGC’s command structure,” Safavi said. “Their presence signals Tehran’s reliance on foreign militias to suppress domestic unrest.” The use of such paramilitary forces underscores the regime’s determination to quell demonstrations that began over economic grievances but have evolved into widespread calls for political change.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly reaffirmed his support for the security forces amid the unrest, emphasizing the need to maintain order. The protests, which erupted nearly a month ago, have resulted in 4,519 confirmed deaths, according to human rights monitoring groups. The scale of the crackdown has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns about escalating violence.
The unrest in Iran follows a pattern seen in other countries where armed militias have been deployed to enforce government authority during periods of civil upheaval. The involvement of Hezbollah and Iraqi PMF fighters, both of whom have close ties to Tehran, highlights the regional dimensions of Iran’s security strategy. The U.S. Department of State classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, and the PMF has been subject to international scrutiny for its role in regional conflicts.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government has imposed increasingly severe restrictions on digital communications, effectively locking down internet access nationwide. The regime views the internet as an existential threat amid the protests, according to reports from the digital rights organization Access Now. This digital blackout complicates independent verification of events on the ground and limits the flow of information.
International observers, including the United Nations, have expressed alarm at the rising death toll and the use of heavy weaponry against civilians. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for restraint and urged Iranian authorities to respect human rights and allow peaceful assembly.
As Tehran braces for further unrest, the deployment of heavily armed militias signals a government prepared to use force to maintain control. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the protests can be resolved peacefully or if the violence will escalate further, deepening Iran’s crisis.
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