Tehran, Iran – January 10, 2026 – As antigovernment protests continue to sweep across Iran, the Iranian army has issued a stern pledge to safeguard the country's "national interests," accusing external forces like Israel and "hostile terrorist groups" of attempting to undermine public security. This declaration comes amid reports of mass arrests, protest-related casualties, and a nationwide internet blackout imposed by authorities to quell the escalating demonstrations.
The protests, which erupted in late December 2025, represent the largest wave of public dissent in Iran since the 2022-2023 movement triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code for women. Demonstrators are voicing deep frustration over soaring inflation, economic hardships, and the cost of living crisis, with calls growing for the end of the clerical system established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Military's Stance and Security Crackdown
In a statement released on semi-official news sites, the Iranian army emphasized its role under the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, vowing to protect strategic infrastructure and public property alongside other armed forces. "The Army... will resolutely protect and safeguard national interests," the statement read, highlighting ongoing monitoring of "enemy movements" in the region.
This warning aligns with intensified efforts by Tehran to suppress the unrest. Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), operating independently from the regular army, has also declared that preserving the achievements of the 1979 revolution and national security is a "red line" not to be crossed. State television reported IRGC statements underscoring their commitment to defending the Islamic Republic against perceived threats.
Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the government's response. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights reported at least 51 protesters killed by security forces, including nine children, with hundreds more injured. Amnesty International condemned the "blanket internet shutdown" as a deliberate tactic to conceal "grave human rights violations and crimes under international law" during the crackdown. Iran's Tasnim news agency, however, claimed that at least 200 "riot" leaders had been arrested, framing the actions as necessary to maintain order.
Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad escalated the rhetoric by warning that participants in protests could be charged as "enemies of God," a serious offense carrying the death penalty, according to state TV reports.
On-the-Ground Developments
Videos verified by AFP and other sources depict chaotic scenes in major cities. In Tehran's iconic Grand Bazaar, security forces deployed tear gas to disperse crowds on January 6, 2026. Protesters in the northern districts of the capital were seen setting off fireworks, banging pots, and chanting slogans in support of Iran's ousted monarchy. Similar rallies have been reported in Rasht, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Kerman, indicating the protests' nationwide scope.
Al Jazeera's correspondent Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, noted that while demonstrations remain sporadic, they have intensified in recent days, particularly in the capital. "The state response started by recognizing the right of people to peacefully protest, but as the situation escalated, authorities have drawn a line between protesters and 'saboteurs,'" Asadi explained. He highlighted increased security measures and a government initiative to provide monthly subsidies of about $7 to low-income families struggling with daily essentials.
However, experts doubt the subsidy's effectiveness. Mehran Kamrava, a professor of government at Georgetown University Qatar, pointed out that official inflation stands at 42 percent, with unofficial estimates nearing 60 percent. "This kind of measure isn't going to alleviate the economic pressure on the population," Kamrava told Al Jazeera.
Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, warned that even if authorities suppress the current movement, they cannot address the "underlying causes" of unrest, such as economic turmoil. "They're only buying time until the next round of confrontation between the state and society," Vaez said.
International Reactions and Accusations
The protests have drawn sharp international attention, with the United States and Iran exchanging pointed barbs. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the demonstrators on social media, stating that Washington "stands ready to help." In a press briefing the previous day, Trump cautioned Iran against violent crackdowns, threatening severe repercussions: "If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved... hitting them very, very hard – where it hurts."
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded vehemently in a televised speech, accusing Trump of having "hands stained with the blood of more than a thousand Iranians," seemingly referencing U.S.-backed Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025. Khamenei predicted Trump's downfall, likening it to the overthrow of the pre-1979 imperial dynasty, and affirmed that the Islamic Republic "will not back down in the face of saboteurs."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. and Israel of "directly intervening" to incite violence, claims dismissed as "delusional" by a U.S. State Department spokesperson.
Adding to the international dimension, Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran's deposed shah, urged protesters to escalate tactics. In a social media video, Pahlavi called for seizing and holding city centers: "Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centers." He encouraged further demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.
Economic Flashpoints and Broader Context
Iran's commercial hubs, including bazaars, have become key flashpoints, symbolizing public desperation amid the economic crisis. Protests in these areas highlight mounting pressures from inflation and currency devaluation, exacerbated by international sanctions and regional tensions.
Related developments include a U.S. warning to Iran amid the clashes, Trump's refusal to meet Pahlavi as protests intensify, and confirmation of a nationwide internet blackout by monitors. Human rights groups continue to call for restraint, emphasizing the need to protect civilians.
As Iran grapples with this wave of public anger, the government's blend of subsidies, security crackdowns, and accusations against foreign powers underscores the deepening divide. With demonstrations showing no signs of abating, the world watches closely to see if Tehran can navigate the crisis without further escalation.
This unrest echoes broader regional instability, including ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Myanmar's civil war elections, and Syria's battles involving SDF fighters. In Iran, however, the focus remains on internal grievances, with the clerical system's future increasingly under scrutiny.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
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