2025-2026 Iranian Protests: Nationwide Uprising Against Economic Crisis and Government Repression

Reports of new protest in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchistan Province on January 16. A small group chanted anti-regime slogans following a sermon by prominent Sunni cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid criticizing the regime's violence and repression.

Reports indicate that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have entered Iran in recent weeks to assist the regime's crackdown on protests. Anti-regime sources suggest nearly 1,000 militia fighters crossed into Iran, while a European military source confirmed around 800 fighters entered under the guise of religious pilgrimages.

Uprising reached 18th day. Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i personally visited Tehran prisons issuing orders for immediate execution of detained protesters. Regime raided homes for Starlink equipment while fierce clashes continued in Tehran, Mashhad, and Kermanshah.

Iran's nationwide uprising entered its 17th consecutive day with protests and clashes reported across Tehran and provincial cities. The regime erected concrete walls in Ahvaz and evacuated universities to stifle dissent. Thousands gathered in Tehran's Sadeghieh district chanting 'Death to the dictator'.

Prominent Iranian Sunni cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid escalated his criticism of the regime's response to protests. Protest activity continued at relatively low levels with only 7 protests recorded across 6 provinces. At least 550 Baloch protesters were arrested in Zahedan, Chabahar, and Iranshahr over the previous five days.

Critical Threats Partnership assessed that the rate of protest activity across Iran may have decreased due to the regime's brutal crackdown, as the level of brutality may be discouraging protesters.

A protester from Shiraz told TIME that police attacks have been particularly violent compared to previous protests and that aggressive security forces inhibited protest turnout.

Iran International reported that at least 2,000 protesters had been killed nationwide over the previous 48 hours amid a nationwide internet blackout, as Iranian security forces escalated their use of live ammunition against demonstrators.

As of January 9, millions took to the streets in protests across all 31 provinces. Police attacks were reported as particularly violent. Protest turnout in Shiraz was inhibited by aggressive security forces.

Critical Threats Partnership recorded 156 protests across 27 provinces. Protest activity peaked with regime's increased use of deadly force against demonstrators.

Demonstrations continued throughout Iran reaching smaller towns like Saman, Sangsar, and Kushk. In Tehran's Bagh-e Sepahsalar, crowds chanted 'Death to Khamenei'. Security forces confronted families of detainees outside the governor's office in Yasuj.

Demonstrations spread to include Kazerun, Malekshahi, Kermanshah, Shiraz, Mashhad, Arkavaz, Isfahan, Tehran, Hafshejan, Karaj, Shahrekord, and Fardis, with greater numbers of protesters and increased security force deployment.

Protests continued in large numbers in Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Shiraz, Ilam, Mashhad, Karaj, Zanjan, Hamadan, and Qeshm. Funerals for killed protesters were held in multiple cities, with participants chanting 'Death to Khamenei'.