“I Was Hit in the Face by Pellets”

The echoes of gunfire and tear gas still linger in the border regions of Iran, where residents say security forces responded to growing protests with excessive violence. For many living in these remote areas, the line between daily survival and political resistance has blurred, as demonstrations against economic hardship and political repression continue to spread.

“I was hit in the face by pellets,” said a young protester from a border town near Iran’s western frontier, his voice trembling as he recalled the night security forces moved in. “We were unarmed. We were just chanting. Suddenly, they started firing.”

Across Iran’s border regions — particularly those populated by ethnic minorities — accounts like his are becoming increasingly common. Protesters describe a pattern of forceful crackdowns, including the use of pellet guns, tear gas, and mass arrests, aimed at silencing dissent.

Border Regions Under Pressure

Iran’s border provinces have long faced economic neglect, high unemployment, and limited access to basic services. Many residents rely on cross-border trade or informal labor to survive. Rising inflation, fuel shortages, and currency devaluation have further intensified frustrations.

“These areas are already marginalized,” said a social activist familiar with the region. “When protests erupt here, the response is often harsher because the state views border populations as a security threat.”

Residents say checkpoints have multiplied, mobile networks are frequently disrupted, and movement is closely monitored. In recent weeks, families reported that security forces entered neighborhoods at night, detaining young men suspected of participating in demonstrations.

Voices from the Streets

Eyewitnesses describe chaotic scenes during protests. Demonstrators chanting slogans were met with volleys of pellets aimed at their upper bodies, causing serious injuries.

“My cousin lost vision in one eye,” said a woman whose family lives near the border. “He wasn’t throwing stones. He was recording the protest on his phone.”

Medical workers, speaking anonymously, said hospitals treated dozens of pellet injuries, bruises, and breathing complications from tear gas. Many injured protesters avoided hospitals altogether, fearing arrest.

“There is fear everywhere,” one resident said. “Even helping the wounded feels dangerous.”

A Cycle of Protest and Repression

Protests in Iran have flared repeatedly over the years, often triggered by economic grievances but fueled by deeper demands for dignity, accountability, and political freedom. Border regions, already struggling with systemic inequality, have become flashpoints.

Analysts say the government’s reliance on force reflects a broader strategy of deterrence. By cracking down hard in peripheral areas, authorities aim to prevent protests from spreading to major cities.

However, residents argue that repression has had the opposite effect.

“When they shoot at us, they think we will go home,” said a student protester. “But it only makes people angrier. People have nothing left to lose.”

Women and Youth at the Front

Women and young people are playing a visible role in these demonstrations. Videos circulating on social media — despite internet restrictions — show women chanting, confronting security forces, and helping injured protesters escape.

“Young people are leading this movement,” said a teacher from the region. “They grew up with sanctions, unemployment, and no future. Silence is no longer an option for them.”

Parents, meanwhile, live with constant anxiety. Many say their children leave home each day not knowing if they will return safely.

“I beg my son not to go out,” one mother said. “But he tells me, ‘If we stay quiet, nothing will change.’”

International Silence and Local Resilience

Despite mounting reports of violence, residents feel largely abandoned by the international community. While human rights organizations have raised concerns, people on the ground say global attention fades quickly.

“The world hears about us for a few days, then moves on,” said a local journalist. “But we continue to live with the consequences.”

Yet amid fear and repression, solidarity persists. Neighbors shelter protesters, share medical supplies, and document abuses whenever possible. In whispered conversations and coded messages, people continue to organize.

An Uncertain Road Ahead

As protests continue, the future remains uncertain. The government shows little sign of easing its security response, while protesters insist they will not retreat.

“We are not asking for miracles,” said the young man injured by pellets. “We want respect. We want to live without fear.”

For Iran’s border communities, the struggle is not just political — it is deeply personal. Each protest carries the risk of injury, arrest, or worse. Yet, as voices from the region make clear, silence now feels more dangerous than resistance.