And they have been told they can shoot to kill by those at the top of the increasingly nervous and trigger-happy regime as they seek to crush fresh protest before it spreads.

GB News has obtained video of some of the bike gangs on patrol in one of Iran’s biggest cities.

The footage, which shows several mainly black-clad young men with their bikes parked in a town street, was recorded by a dissident who risked his life simply by making the recordings.

Communication with those outside of Iran has always been hard – particularly after the joint US and Israeli strikes began earlier this year.

But it has become tougher and more dangerous recently with new laws, supposedly to counter the influence of foreign intelligence services, being drafted that critics of the regime say seriously restrict communication for citizens and media outlets.

Those opposed to the Government say the new laws, as well the widespread use of the biker gun gangs, point to increasing paranoia from those clinging on to power.

A dissident risked his life to make the recordings

 | GB NEWS

The dissident told GB News: “Government bikers are everywhere these days with guns.

“Their role is to patrol the entire city to prevent any gatherings or protest and if they see anything suspicious – in their opinion – they will take action.

“They entered the scene to scare people after the events of the 40-day-war.

“Because the Government fears that people will start protesting due to the government’s weakness, they have increased these patrols which have become very visible.”

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Many of those who once did take to the streets fear the wrath of the gangs – most of who are teenagers under 18.

The dissident, who lives in a city in southern Iran, added: “If they see something, they will definitely react strongly.

“They are allowed to shoot.”

Formal diplomatic talks between Iran and the US are currently stalled with no sign of a final end to the conflict that began in February.

The regime-backed bikers roam the streets of towns and cities across the war-torn nation looking for any signs of dissent

 | GB NEWS

Last week Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for it to end claiming Iran was in a “position of power and dignity”.

But the Americans show no signs of backing down with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning on Sunday that Iran was now facing “an economic D-Day.”

He said: “Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone.

“Now we are entering endgame.

“The regime’s final refuge now lies in the self-deception of fearful nations that still believe accommodating aggression can secure a durable peace.”

As the war of words carries on, those trapped inside the Islamic Republic fear what lies ahead – particularly following the new clampdown on free speech.

The dissident, whose identity we are keeping secret, told us: “The conditions have become incredibly strict and the punishment clear.

“Any communication with the outside world, any communication with a news agency any communication with a university, any fundraising or any university application, any sending of films abroad is a crime.

“They can condemn everyone.”

Fears about the reach of the new laws have even come from usually docile state-linked media in Iran.

Nour News, a news agency affiliated with the Supreme National Security Council, said it could backfire, pushing more opponents underground and helping foreign spies to get a foothold.

They also said restricting the activities of the press, politicians and Iranian citizens could shatter already fragile “legitimate freedoms”.