Iranians crossing the border into Iraqi Kurdistan described experiencing violence during recent protests and a government crackdown amid an internet blackout. At the Bashmaq border crossing, individuals arriving from Iran reported instances of security forces using force against protesters.

One man, who requested anonymity, told the BBC that he was shot with pellet rounds during a protest in central Iran the previous Friday. "I was hit in the face by seven pellet rounds," he said, showing weals and bruises above his eyelid, on his forehead, and cheek. The man was among dozens of men, women, and children arriving at the border crossing, many to visit family on the Iraqi side.

The Iranian government has shut down the internet and blocked phone calls within the country, but the borders remain open. While none of the individuals interviewed by the BBC stated they were fleeing Iran due to the protests, the account of violence highlights the tensions within the country. The border crossing, marked by a portrait of Ayatollah Khomeini, sees a regular flow of people and lorries despite the internal unrest. The use of pellet rounds by security forces against protesters is a tactic that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. The Iranian government has not yet issued a statement regarding the specific incident described at the border. The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as information continues to emerge from within Iran.