A 23-year-old student protester was shot in the back of the head and later buried beside a roadside in Tehran, highlighting the violent crackdown on dissent in Iran. Rubina Aminian, a textile student at Shariati College, participated in demonstrations against the Iranian regime following a day of classes. Her body was discovered just days after she joined the protests, which have gained momentum in recent weeks due to escalating economic issues.
According to Iran Human Rights, Aminian was killed at close range before being hastily buried. Her parents traveled from their home in Kermanshah to identify her remains and learned that several other young individuals had met similar fates. Initial attempts to repatriate her body were met with resistance from authorities, but they eventually managed to secure its release.
Upon returning home, the family found their residence under surveillance by intelligence agents. Attempts to arrange a traditional burial ceremony at local mosques were thwarted, as services had been prohibited. Ultimately, Aminian was laid to rest between Kermanshah and Kamyaran. A family source described her as a vibrant young woman with dreams of pursuing a career in fashion, now extinguished by the regime’s violent repression.
Escalation of Violence in Protests
Reports indicate a troubling increase in violence during protests across Iran. Accounts from doctors and activists suggest that during a recent wave of demonstrations, security forces have escalated their tactics, targeting protesters with gunfire to the head and neck. A surgeon treating victims from one protest in Tehran noted he had seen six patients who were shot in the head, and none survived.
Footage circulating on social media depicts families mourning the loss of loved ones, with one video showing a relative holding a bullet extracted from a deceased individual’s skull. Medical facilities are reportedly overwhelmed with casualties, including many suffering severe eye injuries. The Iranian regime has intensified its rhetoric, labelling protesters as “terrorists” rather than “rioters,” further indicating its hardline approach to dissent.
On January 10, 2026, the nationwide protests, which began in late December at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, swelled as citizens expressed their frustrations about the ongoing economic crisis exacerbated by hyperinflation. Many participants are demanding accountability from the clerical leadership, marking the largest demonstrations seen in recent weeks.
International Reactions and Consequences
As violence continues to escalate, international attention has turned to the potential for military action. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on various options for strikes on Iran, claiming to be “ready to help” the protesters facing the regime’s crackdown. Sources suggest he is considering authorizing military action in response to the regime’s violent suppression of demonstrators.
The Iranian government has responded with warnings against external intervention. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, declared that any attack on Iran would lead to retaliation against both U.S. military installations in the region and Israeli targets. This comes as officials have reported hundreds of protesters have been killed during the recent uprisings, with approximately 2,600 others detained, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
As the situation develops, with reports of internet blackouts complicating communication, the international community remains on alert. Observers fear that the regime’s hardliners may further escalate their crackdown as they perceive growing threats both domestically and from abroad. The fate of individuals like Rubina Aminian serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political repression in Iran.
