Iran: the uprising enters a phase of open confrontation and intensified repression

1. Human toll and intensified repression
   • Days 23 and 24 of the uprising: clashes and street fighting
   • What are regime officials saying about the uprising?
     • Mohseni Eje'i, head of the Iranian judiciary:
2. International reactions

Human toll and intensified repression

Days 23 and 24 of the uprising: clashes and street fighting

• Tehran: intense and violent clashes between demonstrators and special repression forces on Jomhouri Street; exchanges of fire with live ammunition and tear gas. Insurgent attack on the Bassidj ‘Malek Ashtar’ base in the Atabak neighbourhood, blocking of supply routes and burning of facilities. Direct combat with armed units of the IRGC and Bassidj.

• Tabriz: bold attack by young demonstrators against special units, with clashes and chases in the streets of the city.

• Izeh: violent clashes between demonstrators and repressive forces affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards and special units in different parts of the city.

• Zahedan (Baluchistan province): insurgents block access routes by setting fires, chanting ‘Death to the tyrant, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader’.

• Kermanshah (Kermanshah province): clashes and street chases between insurgents and IRGC units and special forces in several neighbourhoods.

• Rasht (Gilan province): attack by insurgents on special forces, followed by violent clashes in the streets.

• Mashhad (Khorasan Razavi province): street fighting between insurgents and armed special forces units.

What are regime officials saying about the uprising?

• Tasnim News Agency: The head of the judiciary in Fars province announced the arrest of members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) and the existence of operational cells formed by the ‘rioters’.

• Statement by the Revolutionary Guards of Khorasan Razavi province: in coordination with the judiciary and other security agencies, a five-member PMOI cell was arrested; firearms and explosives were seized during searches.

• Tasnim Agency: 73 armed individuals were arrested in Isfahan for their participation in the ‘recent armed uprisings’.

Mohseni Eje'i, head of the Iranian judiciary:

"I have ordered our legal department to quickly fill any legislative gaps. If necessary, they should prepare a bill with double or triple urgency. Where the law is insufficient, we must act to strengthen it; and where it allows, we must fully exploit its capabilities. Verdicts must be swift and firm. Anyone who must be punished according to the law and Sharia must be punished without tolerance, without delay and without the slightest leniency." (Source: Tasnim Telegram channel, affiliated with the IRGC, 21 January 2026)

International reactions

• Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, addressed MEPs gathered in session and called for a round of applause to pay tribute to the courage and determination of the protesters who were killed.

• The European Union announced the preparation of a new package of sanctions against Iranian officials, including severe restrictions on the export of components used in the manufacture of drones and missiles.

• Mai Sato, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, stated that the UN Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session and could reactivate an independent international fact-finding mission on the events in Iran, with the possibility of examining responsibilities at the highest level of the regime.