Iran is experiencing its largest protests since 2022. The unrest began in late December with strikes by small business owners angered by rising prices and worsening economic conditions, but it soon turned into broader political demonstrations against the authorities. Rights monitors say the movement has become the most serious challenge to Iran’s leadership in recent years.
After 12 days of unrest, the authorities restricted communications. NetBlocks said the country was left almost completely cut off from the outside world for more than 60 hours, and later more than 70. HRANA says the drop in reports after the shutdown likely reflects the loss of access to information rather than a decline in protests. As of January 10, the 14th day of demonstrations, protests had been recorded at 574 locations in 185 cities across all 31 provinces.
Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof called the internet shutdown a “blatant tool of repression” used to conceal violence during the crackdown.
According to HRANA, the deaths of 116 protesters, including seven minors, have been confirmed; most were reportedly killed by live ammunition or shotgun fire. The group also reported the deaths of 37 military personnel or security officers and one prosecutor. Axios, citing US and Israeli officials, said the true death toll could be much higher. HRANA also reported more than 2,600 detainees.
CNN and Reuters cited accounts of gunfire, overcrowded hospitals, and bodies shown by state television near Tehran’s forensic center. Against that backdrop, on January 10 Donald Trump said the United States was ready to help the Iranian people, while US media reported discussions in Washington about options for pressuring Tehran, including non-military measures, moving a carrier strike group to the region, and cyberattacks. Iranian officials responded by threatening strikes on US bases and Israel if Washington resorted to military action.