Iran’s suppression of nationwide protests persisted on Sunday, with accounts of large-scale fatalities emerging as demonstrations expanded across the country alongside alerts about drone monitoring.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran asserted that a “massacre was taking place,” while the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) noted “flying overhead and security force movements near protest sites, signifying ongoing surveillance and control.”
“Drones are essential for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering,” military drone specialist Cameron Chell told Digital. “They’ve provided the a unique advantage in dealing with the protests.”
“I don’t think drones will be used for direct attacks right now,” Chell stated. “But it wouldn’t shock me if, besides surveillance, they’re using drones to assist in placing snipers and intimidate protesters.”
“This shows how seriously the government is treating the situation.”
Confirming the full extent of the violence has been challenging because of a Iran’s access to the global internet stayed at about 1% of usual levels, per NetBlocks.
Iran International stated that the most cautious estimates suggest at least 2,000 individuals could have died across Iran in the last 48 hours.
The deaths of 544 protest participants have been confirmed, with dozens more cases pending investigation, according to .
HRANA reported that over 10,681 people have been detained and taken to prisons. The agency also noted that protests have been documented at 585 sites in 186 cities spanning all 31 provinces.
Witnesses told that security forces seemed “stretched thin in certain regions,” depending on intimidation, warning shots, and physical force.
In other areas—especially southeastern Iran—rights organizations reported that security forces shot directly at protesters in Zahedan following prayers, injuring multiple people.
Ali Safavi, a member of , told Digital that drones were seen flying over Ferdow Boulevard in Tehran-sar.
“The regime, afraid of the populace, used drones to monitor and manage the protests,” Safavi commented. “In other regions, there were clashes and attacks by oppressive forces.”
Chell, CEO and co-founder of , said that greater danger was looming because of Iran’s abrupt deployment of drones.
or sophisticated by Western standards in drone usage, but they excel in their tactical knowledge and effective application of these tools,” he explained. “This drone deployment definitely signals increased danger, if only because it allows the regime to determine when and where to allocate resources.”
“It aids in tracking specific individuals or groups that leave protest locations,” Chell added. “They might also be using cell technology for monitoring and eavesdropping to track the phones of protesters who were at the sites.”
Chell noted that Iran mainly uses small, locally manufactured drone systems.
“They have the Bina, a smaller reconnaissance drone with an operational range of up to 40 kilometers,” he stated. “These are usually lightweight, fitted with optical and infrared cameras, used to watch movements and send images back to ground control. These are the most probable candidates for adaptation to monitor crowds in cities.”
Protests that started on December 28 over Iran’s economic crisis have grown into the in years, per analysts and opposition groups.
“We might witness an increase in the use of drones for intimidation or as a force multiplier, and/or the deployment of tear gas or smoke to help disperse crowds,” Chell remarked.
President stated that the U.S. is prepared to support protesters and warned Iranian authorities against using deadly force.
“Iran is facing FREEDOM, maybe more than ever before. The USA is ready to assist!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he posted on Truth Social.
Trump also noted that protesters seem to be making progress in some cities and warned Iranian leaders not to start shooting demonstrators, stating: “we’ll start shooting too.”