Forty-eight hours in Isfahan

伊斯法罕四十八小时

The Documentary Podcast

2026-03-05

29 分钟
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Eyewitnesses from a city in Iran describe how armed forces loyal to the Islamic regime killed countless protesters in a lethal crackdown on demonstrations earlier this year. Seen through the eyes of people who were in Isfahan, this programme pieces together a snapshot of events from the 8th and 9th of January. That’s when huge numbers of people took to the streets to protest decades of oppression and call for an end to the Islamic Republic. Thousands of people across the country were killed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's armed forces. The regime blamed the bloodshed on what it called rioters and street terrorists backed by the country's enemies. The UN has called for an independent investigation. However, any prospect of clarity about what happened is at risk of being overshadowed by the current conflict engulfing Iran. The first waves of US and Israeli military strikes on Iran killed Ali Khamenei. There are reports of hundreds of civilian casualties too on a population that’s already paid a heavy human price for standing up to the regime. This episode contains scenes of violence and descriptions you may find upsetting. (Photo: A protester flashes a victory sign in front of a fire during a demonstration in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, Iran, on 9 January , 2026. Credit: Nika/Middle East Images/AFP)
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  • This episode contains scenes of violence and descriptions that you may find upsetting.

  • Radio communications apparently from the middle of mass protests in Iran at the start of this year.

  • This appears to be members of Iran's security forces in the city of Isfahan calling for reinforcements.

  • We've translated what they say.

  • They're asking

  • for help to contain the demonstrations that erupted right across the nation back in January.

  • There are now Iranians from all walks of life,

  • marching through the streets, calling for change in all corners of the country.