An ophthalmologist in Tehran reported over 400 eye injuries from gunshots in a single hospital, as medical staff struggle to cope with the escalating violence. Doctors describe hospitals overwhelmed with wounded protesters, with injuries concentrated on the head and eyes, suggesting deliberate targeting by security forces. The demonstrations, which began over economic issues, have transformed into the largest anti-government movement since 2009, prompting a severe crackdown by authorities, including internet shutdowns. Rights groups accuse the government of using the blackout to carry out a brutal crackdown. Doctors suspect the death toll is significantly higher than reported, citing a lack of medical supplies and the deliberate targeting of vital organs.
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A 23-year-old student, Rubina Aminian, was shot in the head at close range during anti-government protests in Tehran. Aminian, a textile and fashion design student, was killed on Thursday after joining the demonstrations. Her family was forced to bury her body along a road after Iranian intelligence forces prevented her burial at home. Human rights groups report that at least 538 people have been killed in the demonstrations, with over 10,600 arrests.
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As protests against the Iranian government intensified, the regime responded with lethal force, with reports of hundreds of deaths in Tehran hospitals, primarily due to live ammunition. These actions followed a near-total internet shutdown, and ominous warnings from regime leaders, including the potential for the death penalty for protesters. While the protests, initially focused on economic woes, had broadened to calls for regime change, the government appears to have decided to use brutal force to suppress the demonstrations. Meanwhile, varying opinions among security forces and the complex structure of the regime itself add further uncertainty to the situation, with many suggesting the government is fighting for its survival.
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Following a call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s government shut down internet and international phone lines amidst widespread protests across the country. Demonstrations included cries in support of the shah, a potentially dangerous act highlighting public anger over the economy. Reports indicate at least 42 deaths and over 2,270 detentions related to the protests. The government has not acknowledged the scale of the protests, although they did warn that security forces would use drones to identify those taking part.
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The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, stated that moving the capital is no longer a choice but an obligation due to the severe ecological strain on Tehran, citing sinking land and shrinking water supplies as evidence of a looming catastrophe. The government is considering moving the capital to the Makran coast, a remote area, to alleviate overcrowding and resource stress. This plan, which has been proposed before, faces challenges including high costs and political resistance, while critics also question the area’s readiness and security.
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Iranian President has stated that relocating the capital is now unavoidable due to overcrowding and dwindling water resources. The government is considering the underdeveloped Makran region in southeastern Iran as a potential new location for the capital. However, no specific timeline for the move has been publicly disclosed. This decision comes amidst growing internal pressures regarding resource management and urban planning within the country.
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Iran’s president has stated the country has an obligation to relocate its capital from Tehran to the south due to the city’s overpopulation, dwindling water supplies, and the threat of land subsidence. He highlighted the growing water crisis as a primary driver for this shift, noting significant reductions in rainfall and the high costs associated with water transport to Tehran. The proposed move aims to leverage the Persian Gulf region’s potential for trade and economic growth while addressing the unsustainable resource consumption plaguing the capital. He emphasized that current trends of development without resource management will lead to destruction.
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In a series of targeted strikes, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck key locations in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, June 23, 2025. The attacks focused on the headquarters of the Basij paramilitary forces and the internal security forces known as Alborz. Hundreds of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were reportedly killed in the strikes. The exact details regarding the extent of the damage and casualties remain under investigation.
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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), under the direction of Defense Minister Israel Katz, launched a significant attack on multiple targets in Tehran. These targets included the Basij headquarters, Evin Prison, and a prominent countdown clock symbolizing Iran’s stated intention to destroy Israel by 2040. The operation seemingly aimed to aid the escape of political prisoners, with no reported injuries among them. The destruction of the clock, located in Palestine Square, represents a direct challenge to Iranian rhetoric and the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
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Operation Rising Lion, a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Tehran, culminated in a significant strike eliminating key Iranian figures. The attack killed Mohammad Kazemi, head of the IRGC’s intelligence directorate, and his deputy, Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq. This represents a major blow to Iran’s internal security infrastructure. Dozens of targets across Tehran were hit during this operation, marking one of the most impactful actions against Iran’s security apparatus to date.
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John Q. Hosedrinker