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A crowd of anti-government protesters demonstrates in Tehran’s Poonak district on the evening of January 9.
A crowd of anti-government protesters demonstrates in Tehran’s Poonak district on the evening of January 9.

Live Blog: Thousands Reported Detained, Dozens Dead As Iran Protests Enter 14th Day

Driven by soaring prices, inflation, and a plunging currency, Iranians have taken to the streets in what is the biggest threat to the Islamic regime in years. Journalists from RFE/RL’s Iranian service, Radio Farda, bring you the latest developments, analysis, and reporting from on the ground.

Key Takeaways:

  • RFE/RL's Radio Farda has verified the deaths of 35 protesters. Some human rights groups say the actual number is higher, and that over 2,000 people have been arrested.
  • Cyber watchdog NetBlocks says Iran is experiencing a "national Internet blackout."
  • Journalists are being summoned by the authorities in Iran in a warning against covering the protests.
  • Traders in Kurdish parts of the country have gone on strike in support of the protesters.
  • Following comments by US President Donald Trump, who has twice explicitly warned that Washington would deliver a severe blow to Tehran if it killed peaceful protesters, Iran's Defense Council warned the Islamic republic would not confine itself to responding after an attack by its adversaries.
10:44 5.1.2026

Son Of The Shah Publishes List Of Protesters Killed

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was ousted in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has published on X a list of protesters he says have been killed in the ongoing protests in Iran. He wrote, "I assure you that the perpetrators of these crimes will be identified and punished without a doubt."

Pahlavi lives in the US and advocates for regime change in Iran.

10:33 5.1.2026

Protests Continued Last Night

Reports and videos published on social media indicate that on the evening of January 4, nationwide protests in Iran continued for the eighth consecutive day. In numerous cities, there were street rallies and protests by civilians and clashes with security forces.

Videos posted online and obtained by RFE/RL's Radio Farda showed that protests continued in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Yasuj, Ilam, and Fardis, while fires burned in the streets of Mashhad and Mahallat on January 3.

According to reports from inside Iran, clashes between protesters and counter-riot forces have been particularly intense in the western city of Ilam, to the point where security forces stormed the city's Imam Khomeini Hospital and dispersed protesters.

Video appearing to be from Ilam show security forces firing tear gas at protesters.


Eyewitnesses in Ilam say that the number of security forces in some parts of the city has reached more than 150 people -- and there have been shots fired at protests, although it is unclear what weapons or ammunition was used.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported the arrest of at least 17 citizens, including a teenager, in the broader Ilam Province region.



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