The ruthless slaughter of anti-government protesters in Iran appears to have stopped \u2014 but only because residents are being held hostage in their homes by machine gun-wielding security forces that have flooded the streets, sources told The Post Thursday.<\/p>\n
After weeks of anti-regime protests across Iran<\/a> left thousands dead, the mass mobilization of security forces has suppressed the demonstrations, with many too afraid to step foot outside now.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were tanks out \u2014 there\u2019s tanks everywhere,\u201d the source told The Post after speaking to family in Tehran about the current situation.<\/p>\n Protesters seen gathering in Tehran last week, with thousands feared dead after taking to the streets. Getty Images<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s security forces are allegedly out in full force on Thursday during a quell in the ongoing anti-government protests. Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s trucks that are covered, with 10 people inside with machine guns just aiming them at everyone on the street.\u201d<\/p>\n Another person in Tehran said fear has gripped the capital as police and security forces patrol the roads and conduct stops.<\/p>\n The local confirmed that the only reason calm returned to Tehran on Thursday was because of the mass killing of protesters, with more than 2,600 people killed<\/a> since the demonstrations began, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no protests anymore because of massive killings. With 12,000 dead, people are terrified,\u201d the local said, referencing the higher estimated death toll from activist groups.<\/p>\n A man in Tehran walks by a bus destroyed during the demonstrations. ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s forces have been accused of killing more than 2,600 people since the protests erupted on Dec. 28. via REUTERS<\/p>\n The source called on President Trump to intervene \u2014 now \u2014 despite his claims Wednesday that \u201cthe other side\u201d indicated that Iran has stopped the killing of protesters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are waiting for Trump\u2019s action, he promised to support Iranian protesters if the regime killed them! It is the time to attack this brutal regime!\u201d the local said. <\/p>\n Trump had threatened to take military action against Iran if it continued to kill the protesters.<\/p>\n Families were allegedly warned to pic up the bodies of their slain relatives or else they would be dumped in a mass grave. MEK\/The Media Express\/SIPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Tehran appeared to be returning to normal on Thursday after two weeks of deadly protests. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n Images out of Tehran on Thursday show residents out and about, trying to carry on with their day as normal as possible while surrounded by vehicles destroyed during the protests. <\/p>\n