Newshour Thousands reported killed in Iran
4 snips
Jan 13, 2026 
Nawal Al-Maghaffi, a seasoned investigations correspondent for the BBC World Service, sheds light on the grim situation in Iran where thousands are reported killed amid ongoing security crackdowns. She discusses her investigation into the recruitment of foreign fighters for Russia, revealing how deceptive tactics are used to lure individuals via Telegram. The podcast also touches on the emotional aftermath in Iranian cemeteries and the ongoing struggle against regime repression, illustrated through poignant testimonies from the affected families.
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Partial Communication Restores Fragile Reporting
- Ghanshah Habibi-Azad reports phone and Starlink links are partially restoring information flow from Iran but authorities are jamming signals.
- She says reports from inside suggest the death toll may be in the thousands, though verification is difficult.
Surveillance Used To Identify Protesters
- Habibi-Azad describes plainclothes officers filming protesters to identify and later target them.
- She warns arrested protesters may face severe punishments, including death sentences used in prior protests.
Tariff Threat As Political Pressure
- Paul Adams reports Trump's tariff threat aims to pressure Iran indirectly via major trading partners like China, Turkey and India.
- He notes uncertainty whether Trump will follow through, given his planned China visit and history of rhetorical threats.
