Mass protests in Iran sharply worsened on Friday evening (January 9): security forces opened fire on demonstratorswhich led to numerous casualties.
According to reports in recent hours, after protesters set fire to one of the houses of Supreme Leader Ali Khameneibegan to spread unconfirmed information that the president of the country Masoud Pezeshkian allegedly resigned.
BREAKING: Tehran, Iran tonight is engulfed in flames as Iranians fight for their freedom. pic.twitter.com/g0JkOeJ4Lk
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 10, 2026
Doctor in Tehranwho wished to remain anonymous, told the magazine TIMEWhat at least six capital hospitals registered at least 217 deadand, according to him, most of them were killed fire with live ammunition.
If these data are confirmed, we will talk about a tough and pre-prepared suppression operationas indicated by almost complete Internet and mobile blackoutintroduced on Thursday evening.
BREAKING: An elderly Iranian woman cries out after a regime projectile strikes her in the face:
“I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid! I’ve been dead for 47 years!”
This is the courage of Iran’s people.
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 10, 2026
Escalation is also seen as direct challenge to US President Donald Trumpwho previously warned that the Iranian regime “will pay a high price» in case of killings of protesters taking to the streets since December 28.
According to the source, on Friday authorities bodies of the dead were removed from hospitals. Most of the victims are young people. In one incident in northern Tehran, security forces opened fire from automatic weapons at demonstrators outside the police station. Eyewitnesses say that people died on the spot. Activists reported at least 30 shot in this episode.
After protesters set the fire in one of the houses of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic regime, Ali Khameni, Unconfirmed report of Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has submitted his resignation.#Iran pic.twitter.com/8gA2B7tqtc
— Abhishek yadav (@Abhishek89ya) January 10, 2026
Human rights organizations call smaller numberswhich is explained by differences in calculation methods. Agency Human Rights Activist News Agencywhich takes into account only confirmed cases, announced 63 dead since the beginning of the protests, of which 49 – civilians.
Against the backdrop of what is happening, the authorities are speaking out harsh threats. Ali Khamenei stated that “The Islamic Republic will not retreat from vandals”accusing protesters of trying to “please” the United States.
Tehran’s prosecutor warned that protesters could face even the death penaltyand the representative Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on state television: “If you get hit by a bullet, don’t complain.”.
Meanwhile the protest movement covered all 31 provinces of the countrywhich indicates the transition of the crisis to national phase.
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