Iran Protests Marked by Government Crackdown, Torture, and Rising Death Toll

Amid ongoing protests in Iran against the Islamic Republic, journalists and activists have highlighted severe government crackdowns, including killings, torture, and forced confessions. Iranian-American journalist Ahmad Batebi recounted his torture and coerced false confession as a U.S. spy. At the UN, journalist Masih Alinejad condemned the regime's violence, comparing it to ISIS, while human rights groups report over 3,400 deaths amid internet blackouts hindering communication and verification.