New drone footage from Bandar Abbas, recorded on January 8, reveals Iranian Basij paramilitaries using an armored security forces vehicle as cover while firing live ammunition at protesters during nighttime unrest in the southern port city.

The video captures flashes of gunfire as armed Basij members position themselves behind the armored vehicle, shooting toward crowds of unarmed civilians who scatter through nearby streets, many fleeing on motorcycles. The footage offers a rare aerial view of the confrontation, clearly showing the imbalance of force used against demonstrators.

The incident occurred amid the ongoing 2025–2026 wave of anti-regime protests across Iran, which erupted following a deepening economic collapse, soaring inflation, and growing public anger toward the Islamic Republic’s leadership. Demonstrations intensified after calls for nationwide resistance and political change, drawing large crowds despite the regime’s escalating use of force.

January 8 and 9 are widely described by activists and opposition sources as among the most violent days of the unrest, with security forces reportedly authorized to use live fire in multiple cities. Leaked documents circulating among opposition networks claim casualties on a scale surpassing previous uprisings, though the Iranian government has refused to release official figures and continues to restrict independent reporting.

State media has largely remained silent on the Bandar Abbas incident, while authorities have labeled protesters as “rioters” and “foreign-backed agitators.” Meanwhile, the circulation of drone footage has fueled renewed outrage online, reinforcing accusations that regime forces are deliberately targeting civilians rather than attempting crowd control.

As protests continue despite mass arrests, internet restrictions, and lethal crackdowns, the Bandar Abbas footage stands as stark visual evidence of how far Iranian authorities are willing to go to suppress dissent and maintain control.