Tehran, January 10,2026: Major Iranian cities witnessed fresh waves of anti-government protests overnight, despite a nationwide internet blackout, as activists warned that authorities were intensifying their crackdown under the cover of communications restrictions. Human rights groups say at least 65 people have been killed since demonstrations began nearly two weeks ago.
According to images verified by international media and videos circulated on social platforms, new rallies took place late Friday following what activists described as the largest protests so far on Thursday. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said early Saturday that the nationwide internet shutdown had remained in place for more than 36 hours, raising concerns about transparency and accountability during the security response.
The Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that protests have occurred at 512 locations across 180 cities in all 31 provinces. The group said 50 protesters, 14 members of law enforcement and security forces, and one government-affiliated civilian were among those killed. It added that at least 2,311 people have been detained, while dozens were injured, many due to pellet shots and plastic bullets. Iranian authorities have not issued official figures regarding casualties.
Amnesty International said it was reviewing “distressing reports” suggesting security forces have escalated the use of lethal force against protesters since Thursday, resulting in additional deaths and injuries. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi warned that authorities could be preparing a “massacre under the cover of a sweeping communications blackout,” citing reports of hundreds of eye injuries treated at a single hospital in Tehran.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights has separately claimed at least 51 deaths so far, cautioning that the actual toll could be significantly higher due to restricted information flows.
Despite the blackout, footage showed protesters chanting slogans, banging pots, and lighting fires in parts of Tehran, including Saadatabad and Pounak districts. Demonstrations were also reported in Mashhad, Tabriz, Qom, Hamedan, and other cities. Some videos showed people dancing and waving pre-revolution Iranian flags, though not all footage could be independently verified.
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah and based in the United States, praised Friday’s turnout and called for more coordinated protests over the weekend. In a video message, he urged demonstrators to prepare to “seize and hold city centres,” and claimed he was preparing to return to Iran in the near future.
Iran’s leadership has rejected the protesters’ demands. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a defiant speech, accused “vandals” and blamed the United States for instigating unrest. Authorities say several members of the security forces have been killed, with state television airing footage of their funerals, including a large gathering in Shiraz.
Iran’s army said it would “vigorously protect and safeguard national interests” against what it described as an externally driven attempt to disrupt order. National Security Council chief Ali Larijani said the country was “in the middle of a war,” alleging foreign direction behind the protests.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Iran was facing “big trouble” and again declined to rule out further military action, following Washington’s support for Israel during last month’s conflict with Iran.
