Iran’s security forces have authorized shoot-to-kill orders for suspected thieves and protesters as the regime intensifies its crackdown on dissent. Commander-in-chief Ahmadreza Radan of the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) stated that police are empowered to shoot suspected thieves on sight, citing a wartime justification. Children accused of participating in demonstrations or aligning with foreign entities face lethal threats, with officials warning parents to control their “ignorant and unaware” offspring.

The crackdown follows US-Israel strikes targeting Iranian military assets and coincides with ongoing protests since late December. State media reported 3,117 deaths, but independent sources, including medical professionals, estimate casualties as high as 32,000. An internet blackout has obscured verification, while authorities fear renewed street protests after attacks on Basij bases and police stations.

Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has framed the violence as necessary to preserve security. Khamenei’s recent death in US-Israeli strikes has prompted renewed repression, with officials threatening executions for dissent. The LEF and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) face international sanctions, reflecting global condemnation of the regime’s tactics.

The escalating violence underscores the regime’s desperation to maintain control. By weaponizing fear and leveraging international sanctions, Iran seeks to deter further unrest, even as repression risks exacerbating instability. The shoot-to-kill orders and threats against civilians highlight a brutal strategy to silence opposition at any cost.