This body seize from footage circulating on social media from Iran confirmed protesters as soon as once more taking to the streets of Tehran regardless of an intensifying crackdown because the Islamic Republic stays lower off from the remainder of the world in Tehran, Iran, Saturday Jan. 10, 2026.
UGC/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
UGC/AP
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Nationwide protests difficult Iran’s theocracy noticed protesters flood the streets within the nation’s capital and its second-largest metropolis into Sunday, crossing the two-week mark as violence surrounding the demonstrations has killed not less than 116 individuals, activists mentioned.
With the web down in Iran and telephone traces lower off, gauging the demonstrations from overseas has grown harder. However the dying toll within the protests has grown, whereas 2,600 others have been detained, in line with the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists Information Company.
In the meantime, Iran’s parliament speaker warned the U.S. navy and Israel could be “legitimate targets” if America strikes the Islamic Republic, as threatened by President Donald Trump. Qalibaf made the risk as lawmakers rushed the dais within the Iranian parliament, shouting: “Death to America!”
These overseas worry the knowledge blackout will embolden hard-liners inside Iran’s safety providers to launch a bloody crackdown, regardless of warnings from Trump he is prepared to strike the Islamic Republic to guard peaceable demonstrators.
Trump supplied assist for the protesters, saying on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” The New York Occasions and Wall Avenue Journal, citing nameless U.S. officers, mentioned on Saturday evening that Trump had been given navy choices for a strike on Iran, however hadn’t made a last resolution.
The State Division individually warned: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
Parliament rallies
Iranian state tv broadcast the parliament session reside. Qalibaf, a hard-liner who has run for the presidency prior to now, gave a speech applauding police and Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, significantly its all-volunteer Basij, for having “stood firm” throughout the protests.
“The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested,” Qalibaf mentioned.
He went on to immediately threaten Israel, “the occupied territory” as he referred to it, and the U.S. navy, presumably with a preemptive strike.
“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf mentioned. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”
It stays unclear simply how critical Iran is about launching a strike, significantly after seeing its air defenses destroyed throughout the 12-day conflict in June with Israel. Any resolution to go to conflict would relaxation with Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The U.S. navy has mentioned within the Mideast it’s “postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and U.S. interests.”
Protests in Tehran and Mashhad
On-line movies despatched out of Iran, doubtless utilizing Starlink satellite tv for pc transmitters, purportedly confirmed demonstrators gathering in northern Tehran’s Punak neighborhood. There, it appeared authorities shut off streets, with protesters waving their lit cellphones. Others banged metallic whereas fireworks went off.
Different footage purportedly confirmed demonstrators peacefully marching down a avenue and others honking their automotive horns on the road.
In Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest metropolis, some 725 kilometers (450 miles) northeast of Tehran, footage purported to indicate protesters confronting safety forces. Flaming particles and dumpsters may very well be seen on the street, blocking the street. Mashhad is dwelling to the Imam Reza shrine, the holiest in Shiite Islam, making the protests there carry heavy significance for the nation’s theocracy.
Protests additionally appeared to occur in Kerman, 800 kilometers (500 miles) southeast of Tehran.
Iranian state tv on Sunday morning took a web page from demonstrators, having their correspondents seem on streets in a number of cities to indicate calm areas with a date stamp proven on display. Tehran and Mashhad weren’t included. In addition they confirmed pro-government demonstrations in Qom and Qazvin.
Khamenei has signaled a coming clampdown, regardless of U.S. warnings. Tehran escalated its threats Saturday, with Iran’s lawyer normal, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warning that anybody collaborating in protests might be thought-about an “enemy of God,” a death-penalty cost. The assertion carried by Iranian state tv mentioned even those that “helped rioters” would face the cost.
Extra demonstrations deliberate Sunday
Iran’s theocracy lower off the nation from the web and worldwide phone calls on Thursday, although it allowed some state-owned and semiofficial media to publish. Qatar’s state-funded Al Jazeera information community reported reside from Iran, however they seemed to be the one main international outlet capable of work.
Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who referred to as for protests Thursday and Friday, requested in his newest message for demonstrators to take to the streets Saturday and Sunday. He urged protesters to hold Iran’s previous lion-and-sun flag and different nationwide symbols used throughout the time of the shah to “claim public spaces as your own.”
Pahlavi’s assist of and from Israel has drawn criticism prior to now — significantly after the 12-day conflict. Demonstrators have shouted in assist of the shah in some protests, nevertheless it is not clear whether or not that is assist for Pahlavi himself or a need to return to a time earlier than the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The demonstrations started Dec. 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial foreign money, which trades at over 1.4 million to $1, because the nation’s financial system is squeezed by worldwide sanctions partially levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls immediately difficult Iran’s theocracy.
