Iranians crossing the border into Iraqi Kurdistan described instances of violence and ongoing protests within Iran, despite a government-imposed internet blackout. At the Bashmaq border crossing, individuals arriving from Iran reported witnessing and experiencing violence during recent demonstrations.

One man, who requested anonymity, told the BBC that he was shot by security forces during a protest in central Iran the previous Friday. "I was hit in the face by seven pellet rounds," he said, showing welts and bruises above his eyelid, on his forehead, and cheek. While the Iranian government has shut down the internet and blocked phone calls into the country, its borders remain open, allowing people and traffic to cross.

The border crossing at Bashmaq, marked by a portrait of Ayatollah Khomeini, sees a regular flow of Iranians entering Iraqi Kurdistan. Many of those arriving stated they were visiting family on the Iraqi side of the border and denied fleeing Iran due to the protests and government crackdown. The recent protests in Iran are the latest in a series of demonstrations against economic hardship and political restrictions. The government's response has included the use of force and restrictions on communication. The internet shutdown, a tactic increasingly employed by governments globally, makes verifying reports from inside Iran difficult.

The use of AI in journalism could potentially assist in verifying information from such restricted environments. AI algorithms can analyze satellite imagery to detect signs of protests or unrest, and natural language processing (NLP) can be used to analyze social media data that leaks out of the country, even with limited access. However, these methods are not foolproof and can be subject to manipulation or bias. The ongoing situation highlights the challenges of reporting in areas with limited access and the importance of verifying information from multiple sources. The border remains open, and the situation inside Iran continues to evolve.