A troubling incident has emerged from Iran, where the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been accused of launching a grenade attack on Khomeini Hospital in Ilam on October 1, 2023. Reports indicate that IRGC officers opened fire on the hospital before storming the facility in search of wounded anti-regime protestors. This action reportedly occurred shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran’s leadership regarding their treatment of dissent.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as patients fled in panic while medical staff attempted to shield them from the armed forces. The IRGC’s actions have drawn severe criticism, particularly from Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), who condemned the attack as an “unforgivable crime.” She emphasized that the international community must not remain silent in the face of such acts against humanity.
The incident reportedly unfolded when members of the IRGC targeted the hospital to abduct wounded protestors who had sought medical care after being injured in previous clashes. Eyewitness accounts suggest that tear gas was deployed inside the hospital, leading to a confrontation between medical staff and the armed forces. In a display of bravery, doctors and nurses attempted to close ward doors to protect patients from the advancing troops.
Local residents and young activists rallied around the hospital in an effort to protect the injured, chanting “Dishonourable! Dishonourable!” in opposition to the IRGC’s actions. In response, the Revolutionary Guards allegedly opened fire on the crowd, resulting in injuries among bystanders and arrests of wounded individuals and their family members.
As tensions escalate, families of the detained have issued warnings that they may take up arms if their loved ones are not released. Rajavi highlighted the situation, stating, “Khamenei, in a desperate attempt to confront the nationwide uprising of the Iranian people, is seeking to suppress the protests with extreme brutality.” She called for solidarity from neighboring provinces and urged the international community to take a stand against what she termed “religious fascism” in Iran.
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing unrest within the country, as protests continue against the regime’s heavy-handed approach to dissent. The implications of such actions not only threaten the safety of individuals within Iran but may also prompt further international scrutiny and intervention.
