Security forces raided the village of Chenar in Asadabad county, Hamedan province, arresting hundreds of residents after surrounding the area early Monday, people familiar with the matter told Iran International.
The raid began at around 4:30 a.m., involving dozens of armored vehicles as well as several minibuses and vans, sources said. Forces also deployed four DShK heavy machine guns on the rooftops of some homes across the village.
Sources said detained residents were paraded through the city in vehicles fitted with cage bars before being transferred to the Asadabad police station.
Several villagers were injured during the mass arrests and some detainees were severely beaten by officers, sources said.
Residents who gathered outside the police station seeking information about those detained reported hearing shouting and cries from inside the building, sources added.
A source familiar with the matter said Chenar residents had been highly active during the nationwide protests in December and January and that the slogan “Khamenei the murderer — dream on” was first chanted in the village.
The source added that villagers had drawn attention during demonstrations by carrying Iran’s pre-1979 Lion and Sun flag.
According to the source, residents buried slain protesters without ritual washing, departing from Islamic burial rites, and recited passages from the Persian epic Shahnameh at their funerals.
Sources also said the area’s Friday prayer leader had told village elders they would be “disciplined” over their role in the protests.
Previous videos published by Iran International showed Chenar residents carrying Lion and Sun flags and chanting “Reza Shah, rest in peace,” as well as a chant directed at Iran’s Supreme Leader — roughly translates as “what a futile delusion” or “dream on” — at earlier protests.
The phrase “dream on” drew wider attention after Elon Musk used it in response to a post by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on X about not surrendering.
The mass arrests and lack of clear information about the number and condition of detainees have sparked concern among families and residents, sources said.
The raid comes amid broader reports by rights groups of widespread arrests across Iran in recent weeks, with tens of thousands detained nationwide since the start of the protests in late December.
