Deadly Arsenal: The Weaponry Behind Iran's Protest Crackdown

Mon Feb 09 2026 22:31:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An in-depth analysis reveals the extensive use of lethal weaponry during Iran's recent protests, highlighting the brutal crackdown by security forces.

BBC Persian's investigation uncovered a chilling range of weapons employed against protesters in Iran, including machine guns, sniper rifles, and machetes. The violence from state security forces has resulted in thousands of deaths amidst widespread unrest fueled by economic dissatisfaction. Experts and eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of one of the largest mass killings in the country's history, as significantly armed forces confront unarmed civilians.

Warning: The following story contains graphic details of violence which some readers might find upsetting.

A BBC Persian analysis confirms the Iranian security forces employed a vast array of weaponry during recent protests, resulting in numerous fatalities across more than 200 cities. The use of machine guns, sniper rifles, and shotguns reflects unprecedented violence in modern Iranian history. According to Payam Akhavan, a former UN prosecutor, the events are likened to the largest mass killing in contemporary Iran.

The Iranian government has attributed these killings to 'rioters and terrorists,' yet evidence collected shows that various weapons were systematically deployed against unarmed civilians. This includes:

Machine guns
Sniper rifles
Assault rifles
Shotguns
Handguns
Paintball guns
Tear gas
Machetes
Knives
Batons
Wooden clubs

The protests originated from economic grievances but evolved into a wider expression of discontent with the regime’s handling of civil liberties. Eyewitness accounts and verified footage indicate that protesters were subjected to gunfire and other brutal measures, with significant numbers injured, particularly among those who sustained eye damage from shotgun pellets.

The events of January 9 included graphic footage showing the deployment of heavy weaponry against civilians, and expert analysis confirms that some weapons, like the DShKM machine gun, were specifically intended not for crowd control but for lethal engagement.

Videos have emerged documenting the use of sniper rifles, with one instance revealing a sniper killing an individual in front of his child, underscoring a grim reality faced by protesting citizens.

Despite previous assertions regarding the intentions behind the state's forceful response, the brutality displayed signifies a stark deterioration in the Iranian government’s relation with its populace, leaving many to question the future of civil rights.