A 37‑year‑old woman from Karaj, Iran, whose graphic footage of police and security forces responding to nationwide protests captured the raw intensity of the unrest, now lives in fear and isolation after authorities reportedly cracked down on demonstrators with live ammunition. The footage — taken in early January as crowds marched through city streets chanting slogans against the government — has become one of the few concrete visual records of the protests and subsequent state repression.

The unrest began as large demonstrations against economic hardship and political repression, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets across Iran’s 31 provinces. Protesters — including the woman and her friends — recorded tear gas and gunfire erupting amid chants of “Don’t be afraid” and “Death to the dictator,” before security forces opened fire.

According to monitoring groups and accounts shared with news agencies, authorities used live ammunition against crowds, with deaths reported in the thousands and tens of thousands more detained. A prolonged internet blackout has made independent verification difficult, but rights groups estimate the toll could be far higher than official figures suggest — resulting in widespread trauma and fear among civilians.

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In messages shared during lapses in connectivity, the Karaj resident described hiding with her mother, unable to sleep or leave the house for fear of reprisal. She and her neighbours have reportedly refused entry to anyone ringing their doorbells, concerned that security agents could be watching or attempting to detain them.

Mental health experts and activists have emphasized the psychological impact of state violence and information blackouts, warning that the climate of fear extends well beyond physical confrontations. Many Iranians now struggle with anxiety and isolation, compounded by economic hardship and a sense of abandonment by the international community.

Meanwhile, medical workers treating protesters face intimidation and arrest, further deterring public expression and deepening fear across Iranian society. Observers say the current environment has significantly curtailed the willingness of ordinary citizens to engage in public dissent, even as calls for reform persist beneath the surface.a

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