Iran Protests Sweep Nation, Govt Shuts Down Internet
Iran anti-government protests enter 13th day as citizens demand economic relief and political change; over 100 cities affected, 42 fatalities reported
Jan 9, 2026 - Huge anti-government protests in Iran entered its 13th day with more and more people, frustrated over economic hardship and currency collapse, joining in the campaign for a change in leadership. On Thursday (January 8), the unrest escalated with protestors setting fire to government buildings and there were reports of civilians setting fire to a building of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Isfahan. The Iranian authorities have imposed a nationwide internet and telecom blackout to limit communication and reporting.
The uprising, that began on December 28, 2025, has fired up into one of the broadest waves of unrest in years, spreading to more 100 cities across all 31 provinces. What started as a protest by local shopkeepers and merchants has snowballed from economic grievances to broader anti-government campaign with thousands taking to the streets across the country.
Demonstrators include shopkeepers, students, workers and ordinary citizens — demanding economic relief and broader political change. The unrest was triggered by soaring inflation, a sharp fall in the Iranian rial and rising food and medicine prices.
Iranian security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have been accused of using lethal force, live ammunition, metal pellets and water cannons to disperse protesters. At least 42 people have died in the protests so far, including 29 civilians, eight security personnel and five children, according to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA). Hundreds are believed to have been wounded in clashes with the security forces.
Reports say more than 2,277 people have been arrested since the protests broke out, a number of which are university students.
Meanwhile, the country’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has rallied behind the uprising. His call for night-time mass demonstration led thousands to take to the streets heeding to his call of “Rise Iran!”…. “take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands.”
With Media Inputs
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