According to Khabaronline, When asked about reports that Iran has designated specific burial grounds for American soldiers in the event of an armed conflict, Mohammadjavad Tajik, CEO of the organization, characterized the move as a matter of strategic foresight.
“We must maintain a forecast for all possible scenarios,” Tajik stated. “Our assessment was that if an enemy enters our territory and fatalities occur during land-based or internal combat, a plan must be in place. We cannot house [foreign combatants] in the same morgues utilized for deceased Muslims.”
Tajik emphasized that while conflict remains undesirable, administrative readiness is essential. “It is a plan, a forecast. While such an occurrence may be unlikely, we must not be caught by surprise. If we faced such a situation without a plan, critics would ask why we failed to predict it. We hope such an event never transpires and that there will be no war.”
Denial of “Bullet Fee” Allegations
Addressing rumors that families were forced to pay a “bullet fee”—a purported charge for the cost of ammunition used—to retrieve the bodies of loved ones lost in unrest, Tajik dismissed the claims as baseless.
“There is no such thing as a ‘bullet fee,'” Tajik asserted. “If such a fee existed, who would collect it? It would have to be either the forensic department or the cemetery. Our forensic colleagues have confirmed that they did not even collect the standard nominal fees usually charged for autopsies during the year.”
Nature of Casualties and Civil Unrest
Regarding the nature of the fatalities during the unrest, Tajik claimed that a significant majority—over 70 percent—were victims of “terrorist” elements within the crowds rather than security forces.
“When asked how I can make such a claim, I point to the nature of the injuries: to the eyes, the head, the heart, and fatal stabbings,” Tajik said. He cited a specific account of a man whose wife was killed during a Friday night rally: “The husband stated they were chanting slogans at a distance from security forces when his wife collapsed. He discovered she had been stabbed in the side with a knife by someone within the crowd.”
More About Unrest
The unrest began in late December 2025, initially triggered by extreme fluctuations in the Iranian rial. These demonstrations were led by merchants from Tehran’s bazaars and the electronics sector, exercising their constitutional right to voice economic grievances. While authorities initially engaged in dialogue with protesters, the situation escalated sharply between January 8 and 10.
Official reports state that armed groups reportedly distributed weapons and opened fire on both civilians and police to maximize casualties. In response to these security threats, Iranian authorities implemented a nationwide shutdown of internet and telephone services starting January 8.
The internal crisis coincided with statements from U.S. and Israeli officials suggesting potential military intervention under the guise of humanitarian aid, which Tehran claims further inflamed domestic tensions.
According to official figures, the unrest resulted in 3,117 fatalities. This total includes 2,427 civilians and security personnel, many of whom have been officially recognized as martyrs by the state.