Iran, day 9 of the uprising: deadly repression and growing resistance

1. Main developments on the ninth day of the national uprising
   • Human toll and increasing repression
   • Demonstrations and strikes
   • Attacks on centres of repression
   • Major clashes
2. The execution machine continues unabated
   • Abdanan – Ilam Province
   • Malekshahi – Ilam Province
   • Tehran
   • Karaj (west of Tehran)
   • Other cities

The ninth day of the national uprising in Iran has been marked by an escalation in repression and a determined response from the population. According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, at least 31 people have lost their lives since the protests began.

While the regime's forces attack hospitals, security bases and urban areas, young insurgents continue to clash with the police and block streets, with demonstrations and strikes spreading to several cities across the country.

Main developments on the ninth day of the national uprising

Human toll and increasing repression

• The names of 13 new martyrs of the national uprising were announced. According to the latest statement from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the total number of victims now stands at least 31 martyrs.

• On Sunday, 4 January 2026, on the eighth day of the uprising and the day after the Malekshahi massacre (Ilam province), the forces of repression committed a serious crime in violation of international conventions: they stormed a hospital in Ilam to kidnap those wounded in the uprising who had been hospitalised after being shot.

• The regime refuses to return the bodies of the martyrs to their families. The remains are transferred to unknown locations and buried in secret.

Demonstrations and strikes

• Night demonstrations were held in Tehran, Isfahan and many other cities, with the central slogan: ‘Death to the dictator.’

• In Tehran, the regime deployed special units around the Grand Bazaar to prevent the protests from spreading, but they were met with popular resistance. Many shops and shopping centres closed.

• On Monday morning, shopkeepers in several cities went on a general strike, closing their businesses. In several neighbourhoods of Tehran, the population and young insurgents took to the streets shouting ‘Death to the dictator’.

Attacks on centres of repression

• In Abadan, young insurgents attacked prefectures and Bassij bases.

• In Tehran, two motorcycles belonging to the forces of repression were set on fire in one neighbourhood.

• On the 14th and 15th of Dey, young insurgents inflicted heavy losses on centres of repression, including Bassidj bases and administrative buildings in Abadan and other cities.

• In Yasuj, the city is under extremely tight security. The Free University (Azad) cancelled all its exams nationwide and the dormitories were evacuated.

• In Hefshajan (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province), angry residents set fire to the workplace of the killer of Soroush Soleimani, a 15-year-old teenager who was shot dead on Saturday 3 January 2026.

• In Abadeh-e Qashqai, the situation is almost military; several residents were seen armed in the streets.

Major clashes

• In Isfahan, on Sunday night, after shots were fired and protesters were beaten, young insurgents responded. After two hours of violent clashes near the Si-o-se Pol bridge, the police were disarmed and forced to surrender.

• In Hamadan, on Sunday night, young insurgents confronted the forces of repression; one officer was disarmed and the others fled.

• In Tehran (Nazi-Abad), young people snatched a taser from a police officer who was attacking the population.

• In Azna (Lorestan province) on Saturday night, a special forces vehicle was set on fire and the local police station involved in the repression was attacked.

• In Mashhad, on Nasser Khosrow Street on Sunday night, young insurgents attacked the police forces and freed several arrested people.

• In Tehran and many other cities, young insurgents blocked streets by lighting bonfires, preventing the intervention of the forces of repression.

The execution machine continues unabated

While the entire country is in turmoil due to clashes between young insurgents and the religious dictatorship, the execution machine continues to operate relentlessly. The number of executions recorded in December 2025 reached a shocking and unprecedented 403 people. Terrified at the prospect of his overthrow, Ali Khamenei continues with the executions.

In many regions, demonstrations were marked by violent clashes, persecution and direct confrontations with the repressive forces, the police and special units, who opened fire on the population.

Abdanan – Ilam Province

• The city has practically passed into the control of the population and young insurgents.
• Large crowds occupy the streets and confront the Pasdaran.
• The Ofogh-e Kourosh store, belonging to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, was set on fire.
• Unable to cope with the situation, the repressive forces took refuge on the roof of the police station.
• The regime cut off the city's electricity to slow the spread of the uprising.
• Propaganda posters were torn down and a state bank was set on fire.

Malekshahi – Ilam Province

• A huge crowd attended the funeral of the martyr Fares (Mohsen) Agha Mohammadi.
• The inhabitants, outraged by the massacres of 3 and 4 January, chanted: ‘I will kill whoever killed my brother.’
• During the clashes with the special units, several officers were killed or wounded, and the rest fled.
• A public bank was set on fire.
• Cries of ‘Death to Khamenei’ echoed throughout the city.
• Witnesses report that some areas of the city have been liberated.
• The Fars agency, affiliated with the Pasdaran, confirmed the death of Third Lieutenant Ehsan Aghajani, a member of the Ilam police repression forces.

Tehran

• The central areas (Haft-Tir, Ferdowsi and Valiasr squares) are under extremely tight security.
• Massive deployment of repressive forces and use of ambulances to transport officers.
• The Grand Bazaar in Tehran was the scene of new protests by traders and clashes with the security forces.
• Students from several universities demonstrated, chanting: ‘Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader.’

Karaj (west of Tehran)

• Unprecedented deployment of forces and armoured vehicles.
• Imposition of a climate close to martial law.

Other cities

• Shahr-e Kord: a young woman stood alone in front of a water cannon, humiliating the repressive forces.
• Firouzabad (Fars): arrest of 50 young people.
• Qazvin and Shahr-e Kord: young people took control of public squares.
• Mashhad: clashes on Tous Boulevard and Salman Farsi Street, seizure of equipment and escape of mercenaries on motorcycles.
• Borujerd: widespread mobilisation and clashes with the repressive forces.
• Ashkhaneh (North Khorasan): blocked roads; response by the regime with tear gas and live ammunition.