Protesters in Iran in constant danger as regime cracks down on recent citizen uprising
-Article by Sean Heart, January 11, 2026
Protests in several regions and cities in Iran have flared up since late December, as the population struggles with economic turmoil and rising inflation. In recent years, dissatisfaction with Iran’s leadership has grown not only due to the country’s economic difficulties, but also because of widespread anger over the regime’s brutality and oppression toward its own population. So far, 538 protesters have lost their lives since late December, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.
In 2022, nationwide protests erupted after Mahsa Amini, a young woman, was killed in custody following her arrest by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing a hijab properly in public. Iranian authorities cited an acute medical condition as the cause of death, but multiple witnesses, family members, and independent sources have testified that she was brutally beaten while in custody, leading to her death.
This time around, the Iranian regime has once again brutally cracked down on the uprising, leaving protesters and activists in constant danger of losing their lives. At the same time, Iranian officials have issued warnings to the United States and Israel, threatening consequences should they interfere or launch attacks while the protests are ongoing. The leadership has also imposed a nationwide internet and mobile phone blackout, attempting to limit the flow of information to the outside world and making communication and coordination increasingly difficult for those opposing the regime.
Despite this, protesters have continued to take to the streets in growing numbers. Chants have been heard calling for the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and in some cases even for the return of the former Shah’s son, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Several analysts argue that the Iranian regime may not survive beyond 2026 with the current leadership intact, pointing to persistent nationwide resistance, deepening economic strain, and a younger generation increasingly unwilling to accept repression and longing for a life with greater personal and expressive freedom.
photos by: Samuel Quek March 2023 support demonstration London // Tianlei Wu October 2022 support demonstration Ontario Canada // Artin Bakhan October 2022 support demonstration Stockholm Sweden
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