Iran's Presidency Orders Probe into Ilam Province Incidents Amid Reports of Civilian Shootings and Hospital Raid

Presidential Order for Investigation

Iran's presidency has initiated an investigation into a series of recent incidents in the western Ilam Province. President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday ordered the Interior Minister to form a special team to examine the events, including alleged clashes between security forces and protesters in Malekshahi county and a reported raid on Imam Khomeini Hospital in the provincial capital, Ilam. The team is tasked with submitting a comprehensive report to the president's office. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that damage to medical centers is 'unacceptable under any circumstances'.

Clashes in Malekshahi and Civilian Casualties

Tensions in Ilam Province escalated this week, particularly following protests in Malekshahi. Reports indicate that on Saturday, January 3rd, security forces allegedly fired live rounds to disperse demonstrators, resulting in multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries. Eyewitness accounts, cited by the reformist daily Ham-Mihan, suggest that protesters were unarmed and that the shooting followed a peaceful march. Human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), have reported a significant number of casualties across Iran during the ongoing protests, with some of the deadliest confrontations occurring in western provinces like Ilam. At least seven protesters were reportedly killed in Malekshahi alone. The protests, which have spread to numerous cities across 27 of Iran's 31 provinces, are largely attributed to severe economic pressures, deteriorating living conditions, and government corruption.

Alleged Hospital Raid and International Condemnation

The situation further escalated on Sunday, January 4th, when security forces reportedly raided Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, where injured protesters were receiving treatment. According to reports from human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, Revolutionary Guards and police special forces surrounded the hospital, used shotguns, fired tear gas into the grounds, smashed glass doors, and allegedly beat medical workers and others inside. They are also accused of arresting injured protesters and their family members, and attempting to seize the bodies of those killed to prevent public mourning ceremonies. Amnesty International stated that 'The Iranian security forces' attack on a hospital in Ilam, where injured protesters are seeking medical care or shelter, violates international law.' The United States government has also condemned the incident, describing the attack on the hospital as a 'clear crime against humanity'.

Broader Context of Unrest

The incidents in Ilam Province are part of a wider wave of unrest across Iran. While state media has largely minimized the protests, some domestic outlets have provided accounts corroborating the use of force against demonstrators and the hospital raid. The government's investigation comes amidst increasing international scrutiny and calls from human rights organizations for accountability regarding the authorities' response to the demonstrations.