Protest in Tehran, Iran, January 9, 2026
UPDATES: Iran Authorities Cut Internet Amid Mass Protests In Cities
UPDATE, JAN 13:
I joined Al Arabiya English on Monday to explain and evaluate the nationwide protests in Iran in their third week.
I detail how the initial economic causes expanded to take on political and social issues. I analyze the regime’s tactics to suppress the demonstrations, from the deadly use of force to organized rallies of their supporters.
And I emphasize that military intervention by the Trump Administration will damage, perhaps fatally, the efforts of Iranians to get rights and justice.
Iranians first and foremost want reforms. They want political rights, legal rights, social rights.
Until they get those rights, this regime is losing legitimacy. It may change in the near-future, but it may slowly be eroding where we have a transition to a different system and hopefully a more respectful and tolerant society.
Watch from 2:14:
UPDATE, JAN 11:
I spoke with India’s WION on Saturday about the nationwide protests in Iran; the regime’s attempts to suppress them; and why Donald Trump’s threats to intervene do not help the protesters.
Watch from 2:20:
ORIGINAL ENTRY, JAN 10: I joined Poland’s TVP World on Friday to analyze the latest international developments, including Donald Trump’s threats to global order and the growing protests challenging Iran’s regime.
I begin with the blunt assessment that the Trump camp has cut off all alliances and international organizations as they pursue personal profit and domination.
Donald Trump told the New York Times, “My power is constrained only by my sense of morality.”
Whatever Trump’s sense of morality, he was saying, “I pay heed to no one else.”
Given this — and given the Russian invasion of Ukraine — how should Europe and the world respond?
You have to plan with each other for your essential security — economic, political, and security — on the basis that the Trump Administration at the least is off to the side and, in some cases, is your opponent.
Host Sascha Fahrbach and I discuss the case of Greenland, with the bluster by Trump and the White House that all options are on the table to seize it.
As we consider if Congress could check Trump, I reiterate that the goal of his camp is to “break the US system”.
We turn to Iran to explain the surge of nationwide protests, as they transformed from a response to economic conditions into a challenge to the power of the regime.
This could be — and I have to emphasize “could be” — the most important moment since the Iranian people were denied their political rights in 2009.
There are reports of summary executions surface by France 24
https://youtu.be/4J0ctWdYOLY?si=trGJBxfXgdiOEKaf
Trump tells Iranians ‘help is on its way’ as protest deaths surge to 12,000
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202601054803
And there have been and still are those whom for years been beating the drum of “some sort of a peaceful transition”, hoping(magically really), this regime that is willing to kill so many to change and become something other than what it is. I use the word “magically” out of respect otherwise I would describe such a person as something else.
Young Protester May Be Executed As Early As Tomorrow
https://iranwire.com/en/features/147600-young-protester-may-be-executed-as-early-as-tomorrow/
“A source close to the family, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IranWire: “The family is under extreme pressure. Even a close relative who is a lawyer tried to take on the case but was blocked and threatened by security agents. They told him, ‘There is no file to review. We announced that anyone arrested in the protests would be executed. Erfan’s sentence is Moharebeh (Enmity against God); it is final and will be carried out.’”
Reuters claim they spoke to an official who admitted 2,000 deaths in Iran unrest: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/about-2000-killed-iran-protests-official-says-2026-01-13/
In 2019, Reuters again claimed to have spoken with an official and reported 1,500 deaths
The nice round figure was put out by Iran International a few days ago: https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/01/12/T3SPV6726VC3ZGCAJ43TNS37ME/
Iran International are now claiming 12,000 killed: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601136877
No Iranian official has provided any casualty figures.
Reformists back the government amidst the protests: https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1404/10/21/3492482
Hassan Khomeini will attend the mass rally planned for 2pm local Tehran time.
The link to the statistical jump: https://www.hra-news.org/2026/hranews/a-57968/
HRANA are now claiming 544 have been killed:
47 members of the military/police forces were killed.
1 civilian government affiliate (prosecutor) was killed.
483 protesters have died.
Eight children (under the age of 18) were among the dead. (Not included in the statistics above)
Five people have also died as civilian protesters.
It claims that video footage taken at mortuary centres is the reason for the “statistical jump” and not case-related verification.
“The most important event in the last 24 hours has been the widespread publication and circulation of videos and information related to the storage of bodies in Kahrizak Forensic Medicine or centers affiliated with Tehran’s Forensic Medicine, an event that has led to both an increase in the sensitivity of public opinion and an increase in the ability of human rights institutions to verify death cases. The videos released show “a large number of bodies” at the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine, in which families can be seen identifying the bodies, and based on the information shown in some of the images, the number of bodies can be estimated to be around 250.”
Some are speculating this was leaked to frighten the protesters, but there is no way of telling the truth during a shutdown.
Trump admin weighing preliminary attack plans on Iran — as officials consider what sites to target: https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/world-news/trump-admin-to-carry-out-preliminary-attack-plans-on-iran-considering-what-sites-to-target/
“A massive aerial strike campaign on multiple Iranian military targets is one option being considered — although Washington has not reached consensus on a plan of action.”
WOW. I think even the editor and myself are on the same page here. To attack a country to intervene in its internal affairs goes against every tent of MAGAism.
Doctor Says More Than 200 Reported Dead in Tehran as Regime Opens Fire on Protests: https://time.com/7345092/iran-protests-death-toll-regime-crackdown/
Whilst there have been deaths caused by attacks on police stations – the security forces firing back – I have seen similar “doctor” reports like this before.
“TIME has been unable to independently verify these figures.”
In 2009, a “doctor” claimed police were shooting pregnant women in the streets, the bullets lodged in their foetus’ brains: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/09/iran-protests-doctor-disputes-toll
” The Guardian has been unable to independently verify his account.”
[Editor’s Note: Claim from Iran semi-official outlet close to regime leadership]
Arrest of 200 riot leaders with grenades and waistcoats: https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1404/10/20/3491773
[Editor’s Note: The claimed footage is from IRIB, Iran’s State broadcaster]
Massive pro-Iran demonstrations throughout Iran: https://x.com/AryJeay/status/2009940846980805014
The slogan used is “down with the treacherous betrayers of the country” alluding to the fact that the “protesters” – who have trashed the streets of some cities – are acting on behalf of Israel and America.
Big counter-demonstrations are planned for Monday according to Tasnim (operating a site outside of Iran which is still mostly in Internet shutdown to disrupt “protester” communications): https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1404/10/20/3491640