Alpha News

Iranian Doctors Gave Their Own Blood to Save Injured Protesters

Published January 18, 2026, 13:18

A report by the Sunday Times reveals that the number of victims from the crackdown on protests in Iran is much higher than previously estimated, reaching 16,500 deaths and 330,000 injuries. According to a network of Iranian doctors who collected the data, most of the victims are under 30 years old, including children and pregnant women. The data was collected via Starlink satellite terminals, as Iranian authorities had cut off internet access. Doctors report widespread use of military equipment by security forces, with most injuries affecting the head, neck, and chest. Shocking testimonies speak of injured people dying because they were denied blood transfusions, forcing some doctors to donate blood themselves to save patients. A large number of eye injuries from the use of shotguns are also reported, with estimates of 700 to 1,000 protesters losing their sight. Following a period of intense protests, Iran is in a fragile calm. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei acknowledged that there are 'several thousand' deaths, while an Iranian official told Reuters that authorities have confirmed at least 5,000 deaths. However, the doctors' data indicates a much more tragic picture.