Middle East Voices from Iran: women defy fear in the face of brutal crackdown Updated January 30, 20261:28 PM ET Originally published January 30, 20261:28 PM ET Jackie Northam Iranian protesters gather on Enghelab (Revolution) Street during a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 8, 2026. SohrabMiddle East Images AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption SohrabMiddle East Images AFP via Getty Images The death toll from ongoing protests in Iran has surpassed 6,000, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. With a recent partial lifting of the internet and communication blackout, more videos of violence and death are leaking from the country, while more Iranians speak out about their experiences. Over the past few weeks, an NPR producer reached out to several people in Iran to tell their story. People were terrified by the brutal government crackdown and wouldn't allow us to record their voices. Eventually, three women agreed because they want the world to know what is happening in Iran, on the condition that we protect their identities. Here are their stories: On Jan. 8, an unemployed content creator left her home in Karaj, a suburb of Tehran, and went out onto the street. She had heard Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah of Iran, encourage people to take part in the protests that were sweeping across the country. She said there were many people chanting anti-regime slogans. "We saw so many people. People were there with their young
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