What happened
A father in Iran is seeking answers about the death of his 25-year-old son, Sepehr Shokri, who was killed during protests in Tehran on January 8. The father has publicly challenged the Iranian government's claims that his son was armed and involved in terrorism, demanding evidence to support these allegations.
The protests in Iran began on December 28, 2025, due to economic conditions and political repression. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with some reports suggesting as many as 70,000 people may have been killed. The Iranian government has reported a much lower death toll of over 3,000.
Human rights groups have documented the use of live ammunition and other forms of violence against protesters. Families of missing relatives have searched hospitals and morgues, and many have been pressured to accept an official version of events or have been restricted from speaking publicly about the deaths.
The international community has condemned the Iranian government's response to the protests, with the US Secretary of State rejecting the Iranian president's criticism of Washington and President Donald Trump speaking about the killing of protesters in Iran.
