An Iranian who called Iran International's phone-in program said he saw young men speaking Arabic arriving in Tehran neighborhoods during protest nights, some appearing unfamiliar with the city.
Parsa said he noticed them carrying suitcases and asking for directions before being picked up by taxis.
“They did not know where they were going,” he said.
He said the significance of what he saw only became clearer later, referring to the presence of Iran-aligned militia forces in the crackdown.
“Now we are starting to understand what that may have meant,” Parsa said.