Widespread clashes and street fighting in Iran
Iran continues to be the scene of widespread clashes and street fighting across the country.
Sunday saw the 29th episode of these strong protests and demonstrations against the Ayatollah regime.
These protests have led to repression and riots and have taken place in various locations over the last few days:
- Arak – Late afternoon on Thursday, 22 January 2026: heroic clashes between insurgents and forces from police station No. 12-Razavi in the Gerdo neighbourhood, with the aim of preventing the transfer of detained demonstrators.
- Arak – Afternoon of 22 January: insurgents attack a police station of the regime in the Gerdo neighbourhood with Molotov cocktails.
- Arak – Afternoon of 22 January: insurgents force the repressive forces to evacuate the Razavi police station.
- Village of Qalehkhani (Dalahou district) – Thursday, 22 January 2026: brave resistance by insurgents against violent attacks by the Revolutionary Guard and the Ministry of Intelligence, who had surrounded the village to capture five wounded protesters.
- Qalehkhani – 22 January: Armed clashes with the Revolutionary Guard; young insurgents disarm four officers and seize four assault rifles.
- Isfahan – Tuesday, 20 January 2026: During an insurgent-led attack, three Basij militiamen are wounded.
- Isfahan – 20 January: Selective insurgent attack on the Basij base (militia affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard) in Kouhpayeh with multiple Molotov cocktails.
Official reactions from the regime
Gholami, commander of the Al-Ghadir Corps in Yazd:
“The organised violence during the recent riots is unprecedented. These riots led to the widespread destruction of our bases. Today is the time to stand up to the enemy. Tomorrow may be too late.”
Source: ISNA (regime-affiliated news agency), 23 January 2026
Ali Akbari, interim leader of Friday prayers in Tehran:
‘This time, a plot to overthrow the regime was clearly designed. It was a large-scale civil war.’
Source: Khabar Online, 23 January 2026
Soleimani, Khamenei's representative in Kerman:
‘The country is currently in a state of total war. We must remain vigilant to prevent a civil war. This sedition has inflicted significant damage on the regime.’
Source: Khabar Online, 24 January 2026
Saeedi, leader of Friday prayers in Qom:
"The main target of these riots was Khamenei himself. We must remain constantly vigilant and be fully prepared.‘
Source: Tasnim, 23 January 2026
Hosseini, Khamenei's representative in Karaj:
’The enemy knows full well that the Revolutionary Guard is the regime's strategic force. That is why they believe that the only way to defeat us is to defeat the Guard."
Source: Khabar Online, 23 January 2026
Ameli, Khamenei's representative in Ardabil:
‘The enemy harbours a deep hatred for the Revolutionary Guard, to the point of including it on lists of people to be assassinated and pressuring the UN Security Council to pass resolutions against it.’
Source: ISNA, 23 January 2026