Medics Describe Overwhelmed Hospitals as Protests in Iran Continue
The ongoing protests in Iran have led to a dire situation in the country's hospitals, as described by medical professionals. A doctor and a medic at two separate hospitals reported to the BBC that their facilities were overwhelmed with injuries. The doctor from Tehran's eye hospital described a crisis mode, while a medic from another hospital in the southwest city of Shiraz shared a message about the lack of surgeons to handle the influx of patients. The situation has been exacerbated by the US President's threats and Iran's response, as well as the international community's calls for the protection of peaceful protests.
The protests, which have taken place in dozens of cities, have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 protesters, according to two human rights groups. The BBC and most international news organizations are barred from reporting inside Iran, and the country has experienced a near-total internet blackout since Thursday evening, making information gathering and verification challenging. The Farabi Hospital in Tehran, a main eye specialist center, has been described as being in crisis mode, with emergency services overwhelmed. Non-urgent admissions and surgeries have been suspended, and staff are focused on emergency cases.
The international community has responded with concern, as United Nations Secretary General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed the UN's disturbance over the loss of life. French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz released a joint statement emphasizing the responsibility of Iranian authorities to protect their population and allow for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, however, remained defiant, stating that the Islamic Republic will not back down in the face of opposition.
The protests have also sparked discussions about the lack of organized opposition within Iran, as former British ambassador to Iran, Sir Simon Gass, noted. The movement is bringing together a wider range of protesters than in the past, triggered by economic struggles. The US administration has been closely monitoring the situation, with President Trump warning that the US will take action if Iran starts killing people. The US State Department has also responded to Iran's foreign minister's comments, calling them delusional and deflecting from the regime's challenges.
Despite the tensions, some opposition figures, like Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last shah, have urged Iranians to continue targeted protests. Pahlavi, who is based in the US, believes that the goal is not just to take to the streets but to seize and hold city centers. However, political activist Taghi Rahmani expresses skepticism about foreign support, warning that it could make the opposition dependent and potentially harmful to Iran's national interests.
