New Documentary Exposes Brutal Crackdown on Iranian Protesters

A new documentary, "This Is Our Story," pieced together from thousands of videos smuggled out of Iran, offers a harrowing look at the Iranian regime's violent suppression of nationwide protests in January. Reporters Natalie Lisbona and Andrew Jehring discussed the documentary on the Daily Mail's Deep Dive podcast, describing the events as potentially the bloodiest massacre of protesters in modern history.

Doctors on the ground estimated that between January 8 and 9, as many as 30,000 men, women, and children were killed. The scale of the violence became difficult to verify as the Iranian regime cut off internet access on the night of January 8, coinciding with the start of the crackdown.

Lisbona expressed dismay at the perceived lack of international attention compared to other global events. "Look at how much coverage Gaza got," she stated. "Compare that to what happened in Iran on the 8th and 9th. You can't really compare them at all." She added that Iranian dissidents feel "left by the wayside," struggling to understand why such a significant event garnered so little attention.

The protests were triggered by economic turmoil, including a currency collapse and soaring inflation. Participants were largely unarmed, and footage suggests they did not anticipate the level of violence employed by the regime's security forces, including the Basij militia.

Jehring described the footage as "the most appalling" he had ever seen, detailing "the sheer scale of violence and bloodshed." He recounted scenes of individuals bleeding out in the streets, others attempting to comfort the dying, and teenagers hiding in their homes while gunmen were heard outside. Reports also indicated gunmen executing patients in hospitals, with morgues the following day showing piles of bodies bearing gunshot wounds.

Lisbona and Jehring discussed the documentary on the Daily Mail's Deep Dive podcast.

The documentary "This Is Our Story" was released by London-based Iranian opposition broadcaster Manoto. The events occurred just weeks before the death of Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in February.