Air Strikes and Crackdowns Damage Civilian Infrastructure

Air strikes have caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and cultural landmarks. Satellite imagery and confirmed footage show severe destruction at three schools, a hospital, and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tehran. The Gandhi Hospital in the capital sustained significant damage, with debris and broken glass visible as civilians observed the aftermath. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, called the incident “extremely worrying,” while Iran’s foreign ministry labeled the attacks a “blatant war crime.” The hospital’s IVF department was destroyed, and patients, including a newborn in an incubator, were evacuated. The Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged “minor damage” to the hospital from a strike on an adjacent military facility. However, the hospital’s proximity to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) studios raises questions about whether it was an unintended target.

Damage to a school in Urmia was confirmed, while the Minab school in Hormozgan province reported 168 fatalities. Iranian officials attributed the strike to a “military target,” though U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the strike was under investigation and emphasized that U.S. forces “never target civilian targets.” The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documented 1,169 civilian casualties, including 194 children, since the attacks began on 6 March 2026. Satellite imagery showed no damage to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base near the Lamerd sports hall blast, prompting inquiries into the targeting of civilian locations. UNESCO noted that strikes on Arg Square damaged the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, prompting the organization to condemn the destruction of cultural landmarks.

“extremely worrying”

The Iranian government’s response to the air strikes and subsequent protests has involved severe crackdowns. Amnesty International reported mass unlawful killings during the 2026 protests, which began on 28 December 2025 following a sharp currency decline and deteriorating living conditions. Shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar initiated strikes, which spread nationwide, demanding the end of the Islamic Republic system. Security forces, including the IRGC, Basij battalions, and police force FARAJA, targeted protesters with firearms and shotguns, often at close range. Verified footage and eyewitness accounts show mass killings, particularly on 8 and 9 January 2026, when the death toll reached thousands. Amnesty International estimated deaths ranging from 3,117 to over 20,000, with at least 205 body bags found in Kahrizak’s makeshift morgue.

Following the January massacres, authorities imposed a curfew, arrested thousands, and cut internet access to obscure criminal activities. The internet shutdown, the longest in Iran’s history, hindered communication and documentation of human rights violations. Netblocks monitoring group noted that user-generated content rarely emerges after such shutdowns, limiting independent verification. Security forces also employed lethal force, conducted mass arrests, and subjected detainees to enforced disappearance, torture, and ill-treatment. Authorities imposed the death penalty on protesters, including 11 executions since the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” uprising, with others facing death sentences. These actions reflect a systematic effort to suppress dissent and maintain control over the population.

Daily life in Tehran has become a state of persistent anxiety, with residents living under the threat of air strikes and state security forces. BBC correspondent Fergal Keane described the city as a place of “strained nerves, of constant waiting for the next air strike, and relentless fear of the state security apparatus.” Many Tehran residents have been forced to stay awake during intense bombing periods, with one describing the experience as “hell on earth” and another as “a scene from a dystopian film.” The psychological impact of this environment has led to a growing sense of desperation, with families torn between survival and the risk of being targeted by security forces.

The regime’s crackdowns have intensified this fear, as protesters are often met with immediate violence. Families of slain protesters report being pressured to falsify death records, with authorities threatening to harm their other children if they speak out. This has created a climate of self-censorship, where even discussing the protests can lead to severe consequences. The combination of physical destruction and psychological trauma has left many Iranians in a state of chronic stress, with no clear end in sight. BBC footage captures the raw emotion of this reality, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.

The Iranian regime has implemented extensive propaganda efforts to shape public perception of the conflict, often at the expense of factual accuracy. Families of slain protesters have been pressured to register their loved ones as Basij paramilitary members or describe them as “martyrs” killed by foreign agents. In one case, Amirhossein Saedi, a 19-year-old computer science student, died during protests after being shot in the face by security forces. His father was threatened by authorities to falsify the circumstances of his death, urging him to declare Amirhossein a martyr killed by terrorists or face harm to their other child.

“blatant war crime”

The government’s control over information extends to the physical destruction of evidence. Reports indicate that bodies of slain protesters were buried in undisclosed locations, with families later informed of the burials. This systematic erasure of truth serves to suppress dissent and maintain the regime’s grip on power. BBC footage and interviews with Iranians reveal the human cost of this propaganda, as individuals struggle to navigate a reality where information is weaponized. The regime’s actions highlight a broader pattern of state control, where the suppression of dissent is prioritized over the well-being of civilians.

The international community has condemned the air strikes and regime crackdowns as violations of international law. The UN refugee agency reported that 100,000 people fled Tehran in the first 48 hours of attacks, while law professor Dr. Michael Becker stated that strikes on civilian sites are illegal under international law unless used for military purposes. HRANA reported at least 6,488 deaths, while Iran acknowledges over 3,000 deaths but blames “rioters” for the violence. This discrepancy underscores the lack of transparency and accountability from the Iranian government.

“hell on earth”

The Israeli foreign ministry claimed the Azadi sports complex, including a 12,000-seat indoor stadium, was used as a “resting place” for Iranian forces. Similar damage was observed at Besat and Esmaeili stadiums. The internet blackout in Iran has further complicated efforts to verify the situation, with Netblocks monitoring group noting that user-generated content rarely emerges after shutdowns. This has allowed the regime to control the narrative, preventing independent journalists from reporting accurately. The OHCHR has called for an investigation into the attacks, while the WHO has expressed concern over the health impacts on civilians. These international reactions highlight the severity of the crisis and the need for accountability, though the Iranian government has consistently denied wrongdoing.