Iran protests

Live UpdatesLast updated MAR 15
SUMMARY

The UN Rights Office expressed alarm on March 15, 2026, over credible reports of security forces using excessive force during ongoing protests in Iran. As of January 11, the death toll had risen to at least 116, with over 2,600 arrests reported nationwide. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on March 9 that any new protests would be met with a more forceful response than the January crackdown, which reportedly killed thousands. The protests, which began in late December 2025 due to economic hardship, have escalated into the largest uprising since the 1979 revolution, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly ordering deadly incidents on January 8 and 10, 2026. The UN Human Rights Chief called for an immediate moratorium on executions on February 27, following death sentences for at least eight people, including two children, linked to the protests.

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2026

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The UN Rights Office has expressed alarm over credible reports of security forces using excessive force during ongoing protests in Iran. As of January 11, the death toll had risen to at least 116, with over 2,600 arrests reported nationwide.

via Indiatimes

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued a stern warning that any new protests will be met with a more forceful response than the January crackdown, during which thousands were reportedly killed. Protests initially erupted on December 28, 2025, due to economic hardship and have evolved into a movement against the authorities.

via Arab News·The New Arab

Nationwide protests in Iran, which began in late December 2025, have escalated into the largest uprising since the 1979 revolution, driven by economic hardship and political grievances. The Iranian regime has responded with violent repression, including mass killings of protesters, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly ordering the deadliest incidents on January 8 and 10, 2026.

via amnesty.org

The UN Human Rights Chief has called for an immediate moratorium on executions in Iran following the issuance of death sentences linked to recent protests. At least eight people, including two children, have been sentenced to death, with reports of torture-tainted confessions and due process violations.

via iranintl.com

Student demonstrations have resumed across Iran, with protests occurring at several major universities since Saturday, February 21, 2026. Videos show protesters burning the flag of the Islamic Republic, a defiant act punishable by severe penalties. The government has stated that protesting students must respect the establishment's 'red lines,' acknowledging student anger due to thousands killed during nationwide protests in January.

via France 24·Ozar Media·The Washington Times

Iranian students have escalated protests across universities in Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, with some using pre-1979 monarchist symbols. Reports indicate security forces used live ammunition against bystanders, resulting in civilian deaths, and one protester died in custody after alleged torture. Seven protesters have been sentenced to death for allegedly setting fire to a Basij base.

via Iran International·cbsnews.com·opb.org

Iranian students have revived anti-government rallies at universities, chanting slogans and displaying monarchist symbols, prompting the government to stress "red lines" and deploy security forces. The protests, which began with the new academic year, mark the first sustained campus unrest since the December and January crackdowns.

via The Guardian·CBS News·Al Jazeera

Iran's government has rejected claims of a power grab following protest killings, with former President Hassan Rouhani blaming the US and Israel. On the same day, the US issued new sanctions on Iran ahead of nuclear talks in Geneva. The CIA also issued a rare appeal in Farsi to Iranians, urging them to make secure contact amid ongoing domestic unrest.

via Al Jazeera·The Guardian·iranintl.com

The CIA has issued a rare appeal in Farsi to Iranians, urging them to make secure contact amid ongoing domestic unrest and heightened Iran-US tensions. This development coincides with escalating student protests across Iranian universities, where some students are adopting monarchist symbols and chanting anti-regime slogans, leading to clashes with pro-regime forces.

via Iran International·theguardian.com·cbsnews.com

Iranian students have escalated protests by burning the national flag at three universities, marking a significant shift in the ongoing unrest and signaling a widening rift between the state and the people. Families of those killed in the January crackdown held independent memorials, while officials organized a state event.

via Iran International·theguardian.com·cbsnews.com

Iranian university students are in their third consecutive day of anti-regime protests across Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, with some using pre-1979 monarchist symbols. A 35-year-old protester died in a hospital after weeks in a coma, reportedly due to severe torture while in Revolutionary Guards intelligence detention. Separately, seven protesters have been sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran for allegedly setting fire to a Basij base during nationwide protests in January.

via Iran International·pbs.org·isw.pub

Armed police and security forces have been deployed to Iranian universities to quell a fourth day of student protests against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Running battles have been reported on some campuses, with videos showing clashes between state-backed militia and students. Pick-up trucks with machine guns were seen outside the University of Tehran, and many identified protesters have been barred from entering campuses.

via The Guardian·Al Jazeera·understandingwar.org

Iranian students have continued anti-government protests for a third consecutive day, chanting slogans and burning flags at universities. A government spokeswoman stated that students must respect 'red lines' while acknowledging their grievances. The demonstrations coincide with the United States reportedly considering possible air strikes against Iran.

via CBS News·Euractiv·CTV News

New anti-government protests erupted in Iran on February 22, 2026, with university students demonstrating around memorials for those killed in previous crackdowns. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 7,015 deaths, while Time magazine cited hospital records suggesting up to 30,000 protest-related deaths may have occurred. The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to hold the next round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva.

via PBS NewsHour·Wikipedia·The Guardian

Protests have reignited across Iran, with students clashing with pro-government groups at universities, including Sharif University of Technology. Seven protesters have been sentenced to death in Tehran for allegedly setting fire to a Basij base. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly nearing enrichment of uranium to bomb-grade levels, increasing international concern.

via Indianewsnetwork.com·Middle-east-online.com·Iranintl.com

Protests escalated across Iran on February 21-22, 2026, with students at Sharif University and Beheshti University chanting anti-regime slogans and confronting Basij forces. In Abdanan, protests erupted following the arrest of a teacher, with citizens chanting "Death to Khamenei." Meanwhile, Iran declared EU naval and air forces as "terrorist organizations" in response to the EU's designation of the IRGC.

via ncr-iran.org·Hindustan Times·Iran International

New accounts from Kerman, Iran, indicate security forces opened fire and killed dozens of protesters in early January who were attempting to reach a statue of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani. Iran has issued death sentences for at least 14 individuals detained during the protests. Memorial ceremonies marking 40 days since the killing of protesters were held across Iran, often accompanied by anti-government chants.

via Iran International·un.org·rnz.co.nz

Activists report that the death toll from the crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has reached at least 7,003 people, including 214 government forces, while Iran's government stated 3,117 were killed as of January 21, 2026. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for the immediate release of all children detained during the recent unrest, expressing concern over their continued detention.

via UN News·Institute for the Study of War·PBS NewsHour

Iranians held 20 protests across eight provinces on February 20, 2026, primarily at memorials for those killed during recent unrest. A U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency claims at least 7,005 people were killed, including 214 government forces, while Iran's government stated on January 21, 2026, that 3,117 people were killed.

via iranintl.com·iranintl.com

Experts assess that Iran is entering a period of sustained unrest due to decentralized triggers and growing economic and legitimacy issues. As of February 20, 2026, over 480 demonstrators and around 50 law enforcement officers were reportedly killed, with over 10,600 people jailed since protests began in late December 2025. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for the immediate release of all children detained during the recent unrest.

via Iran International·Amnesty International·Reuters·Institute for the Study of War·Council on Foreign Relations

A Revolutionary Court in Tehran has sentenced seven protesters, including 19-year-old Mohammad Amin Biglari, to death for allegedly setting fire to a Basij base on January 7, 2026. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for the immediate release of all children detained during the recent unrest.

via Iran International·UN News

A Revolutionary Court in Tehran has sentenced seven protesters to death for allegedly setting fire to a Basij base during nationwide protests in January. The sentences were issued on February 6, 2026, with charges including arson, "corruption on earth," and "enmity against God." The lawyer for the defendants stated he was denied access to the case file.

via Iran International

President Trump stated on February 20, 2026, that 32,000 people were killed during recent protests in Iran, a significantly higher figure than previously reported. Meanwhile, Iran's Justice Minister Amin Hossein Rahimi declared the regime back in "full control" as of January 15, 2026, following a crackdown and internet shutdown.

via CBS News·The Times of Israel

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for the immediate release of all children detained during recent unrest in Iran. UNICEF Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder stated that the agency is concerned about the reported detention of minors arrested in connection with the protests, which began in late December 2025.

via UN News

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is escalating efforts to control social media and expand the 'national internet' in Iran following recent protests. Authorities are also increasing pressure on women footballers who resigned from the national team in protest of the violent crackdown on demonstrations. Experts believe these factors contribute to Iran entering an era of constant unrest.

via Iran International

Experts believe Iran is entering a phase of persistent unrest, driven by economic and legitimacy pressures that repression may not contain, signaling a structural rupture between the state and society. Iranians are marking 40-day memorials for protest victims in streets and hospitals, not just cemeteries, reflecting ongoing political engagement and a reshaping of national mourning amidst continued arrests and repression.

via Iran International·Iran International

Senior analysts believe Iran is entering a period of sustained unrest, fueled by minor incidents and growing economic and legitimacy issues that state repression may not be able to control. The country experienced its most widespread and prolonged unrest in January 2026 since the Islamic Republic's inception. Tens of thousands have been killed, detained, or interrogated amidst what participants described as one of the harshest security responses in recent years.

via Reuters

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on police to manage public unrest with minimal cost, acknowledging a crackdown that has resulted in over 36,500 deaths. The judiciary has also announced the release of hundreds of protesters who were not involved in violence, while vowing to pursue legal action against organizers.

via aljazeera.com·mei.edu

A court in Iran has issued death sentences to at least 14 protesters involved in recent unrest, with some reporting forced confessions under torture. New eyewitness accounts detail security forces opening fire on protesters in Kerman on January 8, 2026, resulting in dozens of deaths. The judiciary has intensified the process of trying protesters.

via iranintl.com·iranintl.com

Over one million Iranians have rallied worldwide in solidarity with the ongoing protests in Iran, while a court in Iran has issued death sentences to 14 people. The death toll from the crackdown has reached at least 7,003, according to activists.

via iranintl.com·pbs.org

Weeks after Iran's nationwide protests were suppressed, security forces continue to conduct widespread arrests, raiding homes and workplaces, with an estimated over 50,000 arrests. Globally, over one million Iranians rallied in solidarity with the protests, coinciding with renewed nighttime demonstrations within the country.

via aljazeera.com·reuters.com

Activists report that the death toll from the crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has reached at least 7,005, with many more feared dead. Some sources suggest that between 12,000 and 20,000 people may have been killed, and video footage has emerged showing numerous bodies at a morgue.

via pbs.org·cbsnews.com

The death toll from recent protests in Iran has risen to at least 7,002, with activists reporting 52,941 detentions. The European Parliament has condemned the repression, warning that the reported killings could amount to crimes against humanity. An Iranian teachers' union confirmed the names of 200 students killed.

via middleeastmonitor.com·thehindu.com·iranintl.com

Activists report that the death toll from the crackdown on Iran's nationwide protests has reached at least 7,002 people, with many more feared dead. Amnesty International states that protests began on December 28, 2025, and Iranian authorities responded with a deadly crackdown, cutting internet access to conceal their actions. The "No to Execution Tuesdays" campaign is in its 107th week, coinciding with an escalation in executions and repression.

via amnesty.org·iranintl.com·iranintl.com·iranintl.com·cfr.org

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has acknowledged that 'thousands were killed' during the recent protests. He is also reportedly engaging in negotiations to avert a potential U.S. attack, amidst an increased American naval presence nearby. These statements come after a severe crackdown on the nationwide unrest.

via middleeasteye.net·pbs.org

Iran International reports that thousands of protest deaths are missing from the official tally, and the regime is pressuring families of detainees to attend state-run rallies. There are also reports of digital art and AI-generated images of protesters killed in Iran.

via iranintl.com

A senior Iranian reformist has accused security bodies of escalating and staging violence to justify the crackdown on recent protests. This claim disputes official narratives that blame foreign actors for the unrest. The reformist suggests that security agencies have historically used confrontations to rationalize harsher measures.

via iranintl.com

Plainclothes Iranian security forces have launched a mass arrest campaign, rounding up thousands of people to deter further protests after crushing recent unrest.

via timesofisrael.com

An Iranian man gave an eyewitness account of a massacre in Yazd on January 9, where government forces allegedly fired on 1,500 people. The protests originated in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, triggered by the collapse of the Iranian rial, and the Attorney General warned that protesters could face death penalty charges as 'enemies of God.'

via cbsnews.com·stimson.org·ir.usembassy.gov·thehindu.com

Several members of Iran's Jewish community have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the protests. Additionally, two senior officials from Iran's Ministry of Health reported that as many as 30,000 people may have been killed on January 8 and 9 alone.

via timesofisrael.com·time.com

Testimony from medics, morgue, and graveyard staff, along with documentation from a network of over 80 medical professionals, reveals a significant state effort to hide the systematic killing of protesters in Iran. This evidence suggests a brutal and large-scale crackdown.

via theguardian.com

Protests in Iran have escalated with reports of security forces firing on bystanders, resulting in civilian deaths, including a bodybuilding champion. Social media accounts of protesters have gone silent after their owners were killed. The CIA has issued a rare Persian-language appeal for secure contact amid the unrest.

via iranintl.com

Human rights organizations report that Iranian security forces carried out mass killings of protesters after nationwide demonstrations escalated on January 8, 2026. Estimates of those killed range from 2,000 to potentially 20,000, with verified video showing bodies piled at a morgue. Authorities responded with a deadly crackdown and cut internet access to conceal their actions, using unlawful force and firearms. Executions in 2025 were noted as being on a scale not seen since the late 1980s.

via amnesty.org·hrw.org·reuters.com·swissinfo.ch·iranintl.com

The Iranian regime reportedly issued nationwide shoot-to-kill orders to suppress protests. This comes amid circulating brutal evidence of the crackdown and contested death tolls.

via foxnews.com

The Iranian government is reportedly denying families the right to mourn by obstructing burials and seizing bodies, with over 36,500 Iranians arrested. Witnesses also claim security forces shot dozens of protesters fleeing a fire at the Rasht bazaar.

via iranintl.com·washingtonpost.com

Documents reviewed by Iran International reveal that over 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests. This figure represents the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history, significantly revising previous death toll estimates.

via iranintl.com

The nationwide uprising in Iran is described as an irreversible movement aiming for the complete end of the dictatorship, with clashes continuing despite internet shutdowns. Death toll estimates from the protests have risen to over 30,000, including 207 security force members, as of January 25, 2026.

via ncr-iran.org·en.wikipedia.org

Iran officially rejected a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution condemning the mass killings of protesters. An Iranian prosecutor controversially compared the death toll in Iran to the Srebrenica genocide, claiming more deaths in less time.

via aljazeera.com

The situation in Iran is described as a potential revolution following a massacre, with the state using violence and disconnection to impose silence. Efforts to maintain information flow are ongoing through methods like Starlink and broadcasts.

via iranintl.com

Iranian security forces may be using mystery chemicals against protestors. Iran has significantly reduced operations at its consulate in London, instructed media to cite only official death tolls, released figures detailing damage and casualties, and broadened its attack on dissent by seizing assets.

via iranintl.com·iranintl.com·iranintl.com·aa.com.tr·iranintl.com

A UN Fact-Finding Mission is urging the collection of evidence regarding violence in Iran, where protests sparked by an economic crisis have spread across all 31 provinces.

via miragenews.com

Amnesty International reports that Iran has deployed a nationwide militarized crackdown to suppress dissent and conceal the scale of mass killings of protestors. Security forces have imposed sweeping controls, including mass arrests, enforced disappearances, and a near-total internet blackout.

via iranintl.com

The Tehran Prosecutor's Office has initiated criminal cases against athletes, actors, movie industry personnel, and cafe owners on charges of supporting the ongoing protests. This marks a new official legal response to the unrest.

via news.un.org

US President Donald Trump stated on January 23, 2026, that the US is "watching Iran" and has a "big flotilla going in that direction," following his pledge to "come to their rescue" amid anti-regime protests. This indicates a potential US military response or increased presence in the region.

via atlanticcouncil.org

Street protests in Tehran have been quelled by the authorities, though the country continues to face significant economic challenges including surging inflation and collapsing incomes.

via iranintl.com

A UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran stated that the death toll from the crackdown could exceed 20,000, citing reports from doctors within the country. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) has also verified 4,902 deaths.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Iran's police chief issued an ultimatum for protesters to surrender, indicating an ongoing crackdown despite reports of protests being suppressed.

via timesofisrael.com

The European Parliament strongly condemned the Iranian regime's brutal repression and mass killings of protesters, expressing outrage at the widespread and disproportionate use of force by security forces.

via europarl.europa.eu

Reports emerged of security forces deploying heavily at medical facilities to restrict access to the wounded, and the killing of a shopkeeper in Shiraz who sheltered protesters. Authorities are also specifically targeting human rights defenders, with the arrest of Shima Ghooseh.

via iranintl.com·frontlinedefenders.org

Protests, which began on December 28, 2025, sparked by a sharp currency drop, are assessed to have largely ended around mid-January 2026, with an estimated 26,000 arrests. Human Rights Watch reported that security forces carried out mass killings of protesters after January 8.

via phenomenalworld.org·commonslibrary.parliament.uk·hrw.org

A new generation, particularly young women, is leading the protest movement in Iran, with a reported overwhelming majority favoring the separation of religion and state. This indicates a significant shift in public sentiment and poses a challenge to the Islamic regime.

via israelhayom.com

Iran is reportedly developing a new state-run intranet to increase control over domestic cyberspace, a move seen as an attempt to digitally isolate Iranians following the nationwide internet blackout during recent protests.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Iranian state TV announced an official death toll of 3,117 from the protests, with a U.S.-based human rights group reporting 4,560 fatalities. Separately, Iran's foreign minister threatened the United States with retaliation if attacked, and the UN urged maximum restraint amid concerns of military strikes.

via pbs.org·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com·news.un.org

Iran's regime has announced plans to pursue legal action in international courts against the United States and Israel for alleged 'crimes' and has cut off 40,000 Starlink terminals.

via timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Protests in Iran have continued for over three weeks, with authorities reportedly pressuring the families of slain protesters. Security deployments persist in hospitals and morgues amidst a widening crackdown and internet blackouts.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

A senior Iranian diplomat in Geneva reportedly sought asylum in Switzerland, reflecting growing anxiety among Iranian diplomats abroad. Furthermore, Turkey adopted a cautious stance on the unrest, acknowledging domestic grievances but warning against external exploitation.

via iranintl.com

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the recent unrest and 'bitter events' in Iran are part of a joint U.S.-Israeli initiative designed to exploit the challenging conditions faced by the Iranian people. He elaborated on how economic protests gradually turned violent due to individuals.

via english.news.cn

A coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations appealed to UN ambassadors for an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council to address mass killings in Iran. Separately, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranian protesters to "TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS."

via miragenews.com·motherjones.com

The White House stated that Iran halted 800 planned executions following pressure from President Trump. Documents reveal that over 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown.

via timesofindia.com·iranintl.com

Iran's Foreign Minister accused Mossad agents of killing protesters as part of an Israeli plot to draw the United States into a war.

via podcasts.apple.com

Foreign ministers from the G-7 nations issued a joint statement condemning Iran's repression of anti-government protesters. Separately, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep alarm regarding the escalating brutality against demonstrators in Iran.

via nippon.com·ramanmedianetwork.com

Protest activity in Iran significantly decreased to 7 protests across 6 provinces on January 13, down from 156 protests across 27 provinces on January 8. The Iranian regime is employing unprecedented brutality to suppress these protests and has implemented nationwide internet blackouts.

via understandingwar.org·cfr.org·youtube.com

Doctors in Tehran reported being overwhelmed by hundreds of protesters with severe gunshot wounds to the eyes, indicating a specific and widespread pattern of injury.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

CBS News has verified video evidence reportedly showing hundreds of bodies lined up at a morgue, supporting reports that at least 12,000, and possibly up to 20,000, people have been killed in the crackdown.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators rallied in Tehran on January 12, 2026, as the Iranian regime attempted to downplay the ongoing nationwide protest movement.

via theguardian.com

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed authorities would not back down, describing protesters as 'vandals.' The judiciary chief also promised decisive punishment, while the Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards issued warnings, blamed 'terrorists' and external actors like Israel for the unrest, and vowed to defend national interests. An external rights group reported the death toll has risen to at least 116 people.

via theguardian.com·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com·awazthevoice.in·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Masses of Iranians have taken to the streets at the call of Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince, who views himself as a unifying figure amidst the escalating protests and strikes.

via militarnyi.com

The Iranian government has responded to the protests by offering dialogue with representatives of the demonstrators. This marks a specific official action following earlier reports of a more conciliatory tone.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

At least six people have reportedly been killed during the widening protests across Iran. Additionally, Tehran's response has included Iranian media reporting on the events, the government adopting a more conciliatory tone, and internet access largely remaining available.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Protesters are increasingly chanting specific political slogans, including "Death to the dictator" and slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. They are also showing support for exiled prince Reza Pahlavi, indicating a more explicit call for regime change.

via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com·iranintl.com

Iran's Central Bank governor, Mohammad Reza Farzin, resigned and was replaced by Abdolnasser Hemmati. Clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in three reported deaths, including two civilians in Lordegan and a Basij militia member in Kuhdasht, where 13 security personnel were also injured.

via news.sky.com·ynetnews.com·indopremier.com·ncr-iran.org

Iranian security forces reportedly used live fire to disperse protesters on December 31. Authorities are now employing a dual strategy of offering limited concessions and issuing firm warnings against escalation, as the current demonstrations are characterized as the largest protests in Iran since 2022.

via iranintl.com·understandingwar.org·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

2025

3 updates

Protests broadened to include women's rights activists, who joined other demonstrators in chanting politically charged slogans such as 'woman, life, freedom'. This indicates a shift in the nature of the protests beyond purely economic grievances.

via theguardian.com

Protests escalated across Iran on December 29, 2025, with demonstrators confronting security forces in Tehran and Mashhad, and authorities deploying tear gas.

via foxnews.com

2024

2 updates

2023

2 updates

2022

3 updates

2025

Story began · 2 months ago