Protests in Iran have escalated sharply, with demonstrators in Fars province vandalising a statue of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. Video footage circulating on social media shows protesters striking and toppling the statue on Wednesday, 7 January, marking the eleventh consecutive day of nationwide demonstrations.
Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in 2020, an event that prompted Iran to launch missile attacks on several US military bases in the Middle East. His death continues to reverberate politically and symbolically, and the recent defacement of his statue highlights growing dissent against Iran’s leadership.
On Wednesday night, protests intensified across the country. Authorities responded by cutting off internet access and mobile phone networks in an attempt to control the unrest. Despite these restrictions, thousands of people took to the streets in Tehran and other major cities.
In Isfahan, reports indicate that protesters set fire to a building associated with state television. Turkish news outlet Yeninet News reported that demonstrators also torched police motorcycles, state TV facilities, government offices, and portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The protests gained further momentum on Thursday, following calls from Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah, urging citizens to join demonstrations. Crowds responded with slogans criticising the government and expressing frustration over economic hardships.
The unrest traces back to 28 December, when merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut down businesses in response to rising living costs. What began as an economic protest has evolved over twelve days into a broader movement, encompassing political grievances and opposition to state institutions.
Key Developments in Recent Iranian Protests
| Date | Location | Key Incident | Notable Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Dec 2025 | Tehran | Grand Bazaar merchants close shops | Economic grievances spark protests |
| 7 Jan 2026 | Fars Province | Soleimani statue vandalised | Statue toppled by demonstrators |
| 7 Jan 2026 | Isfahan | State TV building set on fire | Fire, police motorcycles torched |
| 8 Jan 2026 | Nationwide | Public demonstrations | Slogans against government and Supreme Leader |
Analysts suggest that the protests, initially motivated by inflation and rising living costs, have evolved into one of the most significant domestic challenges for the Iranian regime in recent years. The combination of economic distress, political opposition, and symbolic acts such as the desecration of Soleimani’s statue illustrates the depth of public anger.
Authorities have yet to announce any concrete measures to address the demonstrations, and the situation remains fluid, with large-scale protests expected to continue.