Exclusive: Iranian Resident Flees to Armenia After Witnessing Live Fire on Protesters

EXCLUSIVE: As protests continue to shake Iran, many residents are choosing to leave the country out of fear for their safety and uncertainty about what comes next. The Armenian Report has exclusively learned the story of one person who left Iran just days after the demonstrations began. The individual asked to remain anonymous due to serious security concerns.

According to the source, signs of unrest were already visible early in the week. On Wednesday (January 7), small protests were taking place, but the overall atmosphere in the country had become tense and frightening. Internet access was restricted, making communication difficult. Even with advanced tools designed to bypass censorship, the source said it was hard to stay connected to work.

The individual works remotely as a German teacher for a Ukrainian language institute and feared that a complete internet shutdown could happen again, similar to what occurred in June. Because of this concern, the source prepared personal belongings and booked a flight to Armenia for next Sunday, hoping to leave before conditions worsened.

On Thursday, the source spent time at home with friends. They discussed whether joining the protests would be worth the risk and whether there was any real chance of success against the current Iranian regime. There was fear that authorities would respond harshly and without limits.

The situation escalated on Friday. While meeting friends, the group did not initially plan to take part in demonstrations. However, they ended up on Tehranpars Street, where large protests were already underway. The source described the scene as very different from past protests in Iran.

In previous demonstrations, crowds were mostly made up of young people between the ages of 20 and 30. This time, entire families were present. Older men, women, and parents with teenage children filled the streets. The source said many people appeared deeply committed and determined, believing that this movement could lead to major political change and even the return of the monarchy.

The crowd on Tehranpars Street was massive. Estimates later suggested around 10,000 people were present. The source explained that the line of protesters stretched so far that it was impossible to see where it began. Those at the front of the crowd reportedly managed to hold their ground against security forces and pushed them back near a mosque, which the source said was being used as a base by Basij and IRGC forces.

As protesters moved closer to the mosque, security forces opened fire. At first, the source did not recognize the sound. Moments later, it became clear that live ammunition was being used. Panic spread near the front of the crowd, but the protesters did not retreat. Despite the gunfire, people continued chanting slogans against the Islamic Republic.

Later that night, the group lost contact with one of their friends. The friend had left briefly to bring a car closer so the group could leave the area. He was captured by security forces, according to the source. Communication was impossible because phone lines were cut, leading to a complete blackout until around 2 a.m.

While trying to escape, the source described reaching a highway near Tehranpars Street and seeing total chaos. Traffic was completely blocked. Many people abandoned their cars in the middle of the road and walked south to join larger groups of protesters. Despite the danger, the source said people appeared hopeful and tried to hide their fear.

Because of the upcoming flight, the source eventually left friends behind and took a taxi home. During the ride, the taxi driver described scenes of extreme violence. He said security forces were firing at residential buildings where people were chanting against the government from their windows. The driver also claimed he saw piles of bodies left outside the largest hospital in that part of the city.

The source emphasized that this account reflects what was personally witnessed on Friday, along with additional second-hand reports from other areas of Iran.

As protests continue and reports of violence grow, stories like this shows why many Iranians are choosing to flee the country. For those who remain, uncertainty, fear, and restricted communication continue to shape daily life during one of the most serious waves of unrest Iran has seen in years.

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