Warning: This story contains details which some readers might find distressing.
An Iranian woman who witnessed the bloody crackdown on protests in Iran has described how her neighbourhood turned into a war zone as security forces opened fire at crowds with live ammunition.
A government-imposed internet blackout in Iran, now in its third week, has prevented many accounts of what has happened from reaching the wider world. But some Iranians who have left the country have been able to share what they have seen.
Parnia, who lives in London, told the BBC that she was visiting her family in the central city of Isfahan when the protests broke out in the capital, Tehran. They quickly spread across the country, leading to hundreds of protesters gathering in the Hakim Nezami and Khaghani neighbourhoods of Isfahan.
There were women and men from seven to 70 years old, she said. On just one street there were 200 to 300 people. People were chanting 'Death to the dictator' and 'Long live the shah'... Isfahan has seen protests and crackdowns down the years. But Parnia said she had never seen anything like what happened during the recent unrest, which was sparked by anger over the collapse of the Iranian currency.
First, security forces fired tear gas at the protesters, she said. Then they formed a line and fired birdshot. I saw people getting shot and falling down, and I saw blood on the street.
Parnia recounted how she ran down alleyways, pulled into an apartment block by a woman, where many injured protesters were gathered. I saw the lobby floor covered in blood, and I saw a girl whose leg was full of pellets, she recalled.
Videos verified by the BBC from that night show large numbers of people in the streets of Isfahan, with protesters blocking streets with traffic sign poles for their protection against gunfire. Footage also captured protesters breaking into a building occupied by the national broadcaster Irib, which was later set ablaze.
Despite government threats, Parnia rejoined the protests, stating, The protesters were hopeful... We were afraid to pass in front of the security forces and come closer together. We thought even if we get killed, it would be a reason for Trump to act faster, referencing remarks made by the U.S. President in support of Iranian demonstrators.
Following a particularly violent night, Parnia described utter chaos at a local clinic treating wounded protesters. No phone lines were working. Nobody could call their families, and many refused to go to hospitals for fear of being arrested, she stated, emphasizing the fear that dominated the atmosphere.
Returning to Tehran later that same day, Parnia witnessed crowds chanting and heard gunshots, highlighting the ongoing unrest in the capital. She described how many foreign airlines canceled flights, but she was able to find a flight back to London.
Since returning, Parnia has remained in contact with friends in Isfahan, and has learned of significant injuries, including around 300 surgical procedures carried out for eye injuries due to birdshot. Hospitals are reportedly monitored by security forces, creating additional fear for those seeking medical help.
Although the Iranian authorities have reported approximately 3,000 deaths due to the protests, human rights groups estimate the number to be much higher, possibly above 4,600. Parnia expresses her intent to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles faced by Iranians, attributing their unified opposition to the high price they have paid. Iranians have shown what they want in the streets and paid a high price for it, she declared.
