Gunfire reverberated through Tehran on Tuesday as [certain forces] were dispatched across the Iranian capital, turning some districts into fortified areas under tight security.

Video footage revealed bursts of automatic gunfire after dusk, with government buildings, state media sites, and major intersections reportedly under guard, and armored pickups along with masked fighters patrolling the streets in Toyotas.

The trucks, equipped with heavy machine guns, moved in convoys with weapons firing into the night while armed individuals shouted orders.

In the video, large-caliber guns could be heard clattering as vehicles navigated through urban streets.

“Ali Safavi, a senior official of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told [media outlet] Digital, “Dozens of Toyotas equipped with heavy machine guns (DShK) and other heavy weaponry have been deployed.”

He stated, “They are reportedly being utilized by elements associated with Lebanese Hezbollah and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).”

“Their commander speaks Farsi, and these fighters are PMF and Hezbollah fighters who have joined the IRGC. The IRGC are their commanders, and you can hear them shouting in Farsi.”

According to Safavi, the Iranian regime has increasingly relied on foreign proxy forces to maintain control of the capital.

He explained, “The regime has now brought in at least 5,000 foreign elements from Iraq and Hezbollah to control Tehran.”

“They are guarding government buildings, state radio and TV, and using heavy machine guns, which are Russian-made and .50 caliber.”

Safavi also added, “At night, there are ongoing fierce clashes and street battles between protesters and special unit forces.”

The footage came to light as the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Day 24 of nationwide protests marked by a persistent communications blackout.

The agency stated, “The number of confirmed deaths has reached 4,519, while the number of deaths still under investigation is 9,049,” and added that at least 5,811 people have been seriously injured and 26,314 arrested.

HRANA reports also described a massive security presence, especially with law enforcement, the IRGC, Basij units, and plainclothes agents after nightfall, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and fear as described by the group.

The first protests started on Dec. 28 and quickly spread nationwide, fueled by economic grievances and opposition to clerical rule.

Demonstrations have continued despite mass arrests, use of lethal force, and internet shutdowns.

Safavi stated, “Sometimes the protesters stand their ground against gunfire, ammunition, and volleys of tear gas.”

He alleged that IRGC units attacked a hospital in Gorgan, killing wounded patients, placing snipers on rooftops, and firing into surrounding areas.

He claimed, “They then transported around 76 bodies to a warehouse and are refusing to hand them over to families because the forces want to bury them secretly.”

Supreme Leader Ayatollah [name] has repeatedly blamed foreign enemies for the unrest while supporting the IRGC’s response.

President Trump warned Iran on Tuesday that continued assassination threats from Tehran leaders would prompt overwhelming retaliation.

Trump told [media outlet], “If anything ever happens, we’re going to blow the whole thing — the entire country will get blown up.”

NCRI President-elect [name] rejected the idea that external military action could topple the regime.

She stated in a statement, “A foreign war cannot bring down this regime. What is needed is an organized nationwide resistance rooted in active, combat-ready forces within Iran’s cities to defeat one of the world’s most brutal and repressive apparatuses today — the IRGC.”