Voice notes from inside Iran describe mass killings, families denied bodies or humane care, and a nation gripped by fear as the regime looks to crush protests

We are receiving regular reports on the situation in the country and will continue to update this page as we receive them.

The situation has escalated into something far worse than most expected.  You can also read about the events that led us to this point, covering the first four weeks of protests and the conflict with the security forces.

“So Many Youth Have Been Killed”

On January 25, 2026, Transform Iran pastors received a heart wrenching voice note from one of our team in the country:

I beg you: please don’t stop demonstrating and raising awareness. We no longer even dare to freely walk about in our own towns and streets any more. It is clear to us now that no help is coming from Western leaders. Our only hope now is you. I’m begging you, please alert your friends. Tell them, SO MANY young people have been killed [sobs]. So many! So many! For the sake of these young people… [gets cut off]

Over the last week we have received countless reports of deaths. Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. No one is left untouched. Our staff have received devastating news about relatives and friends, as well as converts who they had been counseling and mentoring. The authorities have been merciless. In one case, a 24-year-old man was shot in the leg and was bleeding out. Security forces were present at the scene and prevented medical assistance from reaching him. He soon died of his injuries.

Bodies Withheld, Funerals Banned

With little exception, bodies of the dead are gathered by the forces, and relatives are demanded to pay up to 1 billion tomans (closing in on 7,000 USD – an unattainable amount for the vast majority) to retrieve them. Public funeral ceremonies are prohibited.

Without doubt tens of thousands have been killed. Many thousands more detained whilst hundreds of families (if not more) have no information about the whereabouts or condition of their detained children. Some individuals have fled to mountainous areas to avoid arrest.

Martial Law as Crackdown Intensifies

The brutality of the crackdown has landed the country in effectively a state of martial law:

• Militarized forces everywhere with ‘shoot to kill’ orders in central spaces
• Public spaces are closed
• Curfews are in place
• Numerous checkpoints have been established and mobile phones are routinely inspected
• Citizens are arrested inside their homes
• Jobs are threatened and property is confiscated
• Government has imposed severe internet blackouts severely limiting communication and isolating citizens – from each other as well as from the West, while authorities claim they are simply “maintaining order”

A Nation Under Terror

The general atmosphere is marked by intense fear and deep mistrust. Many citizens avoid close contact with one another for fear of locking eyes with government forces. There is an understood silence and caution. Armed IRGC infiltrate the crowds in civilian clothing. This further increases the mistrust amongst the people.

We don’t even know who our friend or enemy is any more. You don’t know if the person you are speaking to is for you or against you. Because if something comes out of your mouth that is anti-government and he’s a foe, then you’re done for.

A sharp rise in food prices, limited access to supplies, a reduction or complete loss of household income, and unofficial reports of secret executions of detainees have further intensified public anxiety.

Streets have been emptied by force. There are reports of armed patrols with shoot-to-kill authority in certain areas.

Reports of Poisoned Detainees

We have even received reports that with prisons overcrowded, authorities have started releasing detainees – but not before poisoning them. Some have been injected with such high levels of potassium that they can expect heart attacks within a few days. Others have had substances mixed in their food that will cause internal bleeding or a silent death (together with high doses of acetaminophen to make it look like suicide). These methods have been used by Soviets in the past during the Stalin era. Though this is not yet substantiated, the sources are credible and released prisoners have been widely encouraged to immediately go to hospital and have their blood and urine checked.

“Going Outside Is an Act of Suicide”

One message from inside Iran summarizes the reality now facing many citizens:

There is honestly nothing left for us to do now. Going into the street is an act of suicide. It has nothing to do with courage any more. If you go out, they will just kill you there and then. They don’t even ask you why you are in the street. They just kill you.

For more detailed analysis on first four weeks of the uprising, calls to action and specific prayer points

What Can You Do to Help the People of Iran?

(1) Pray. Use our prayer guide to fuel your prayers. Pray in authority, taking down the strongholds of the enemy.

(2) Raise awareness. Share this web page with friends and colleagues. Follow us on social media and share the posts. Don’t let the cry for help from the people of Iran go unheard.

(3) Give. We are raising funds to prepare emergency relief packets for the people. This will primarily cover basic food and medical needs for families struggling to survive. We are also raising funds to enable us to produce timely programs to strengthen the church at this very difficult time.

Thank you for remembering the people of Iran in their hour of need.

Photo credit for header photo: www.iranintl.com