Across Iran, including the capital Tehran, widespread anti-government protests and violent clashes have continued for two consecutive nights. In a striking demonstration, protesters set fire to a mosque in Tehran’s Sada’at Abad district and waved the royalist flag from before the 1979 Islamic Revolution to express their anger.
A 60-year-old resident of Sada’at Abad told the that she joined the protests for the second night in a row and witnessed demonstrators committing arson at the mosque. The unrest has also spread beyond Tehran to major cities including Mashhad, Tabriz, Urmia, Isfahan, Karaj, and Yazd.
Social media footage and reports from BBC Persian show protesters chanting against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calling for the restoration of the monarchy under the Shah. In response, state television urged citizens to avoid participating in demonstrations, specifically warning parents not to send their children to the streets. Authorities also cautioned that the administration would not be held responsible if casualties occurred during clashes with security forces.
According to Tehran-based engineer Amir Reza, security forces have used firearms and sound grenades to disperse crowds. At one point, plainclothes militia and police reportedly opened fire, causing panic among demonstrators.
The unrest began on 28 December 2025, when merchants at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar held a peaceful protest. However, the situation quickly escalated into violent confrontations. Reported that over 200 protesters were shot dead in Tehran on Thursday alone. The protests have now continued for 13 days, with the death toll rising steadily.
The Iranian government has directly blamed the United States for the violence, filing a complaint with the UN Security Council and claiming that Washington’s interference turned a peaceful movement into a deadly crisis. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that if Iran does not cease killing civilians, the United States may carry out large-scale military operations.
Key Events and Casualties :
| Date | Location | Main Event | Estimated Deaths | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Dec 2025 | Tehran, Grand Bazaar | Peaceful merchant protest | 0 | Local media |
| 29–30 Dec 2025 | Tehran, Sada’at Abad | Mosque arson, royalist flag display | 200+ | Time Magazine, social media |
| 1–2 Jan 2026 | Mashhad, Tabriz, Isfahan | Protests spread, armed clashes | Unknown | BBC Persian, local reports |
The current crisis poses severe challenges for Iran’s internal stability and international standing. With internal revolt and external pressure mounting simultaneously, the country’s future remains highly uncertain.