The disturbing reason Iran appears to have stopped slaughtering protesters

The ruthless slaughter of anti-government protesters in Iran appears to have stopped — 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.

After weeks of anti-regime protests across Iran left thousands dead, the mass mobilization of security forces has suppressed the demonstrations, with many too afraid to step foot outside now.

“There were tanks out — there’s tanks everywhere,” the source told The Post after speaking to family in Tehran about the current situation.

Iran’s security forces are allegedly out in full force on Thursday during a quell in the ongoing anti-government protests. Getty Images A man in Tehran walks by a bus destroyed during the demonstrations. ABEDIN