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Detailed Report on the Eighth Day of Protests; 222 Locations Across the Country Witness Demonstrations

Posted on January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News

Bandar-Abbas, Behbahan, Birjand, Dorud, Gachsaran, Hafshejan, HRANA, Joveyn, Karaj, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Lahijan, Likak, Mahallat, Marvdasht, Mashhad, Mashkan, Neyshabur, Nurabad-e Mamasani, Qazvin, Rudsar, Saman, Sangsar, Sari, Shahroud, Shiraz, Sureshjan, Tabriz, Tehran, Yasuj, Yazd, Zarqan

HRANA- Protests and strikes in various cities across Iran entered their eighth day. An assessment of updated and verified data indicates that despite intensified security measures, increased deployment of law enforcement and security forces, and the continuation of on-the-ground crackdowns in some areas, the geographical spread of the protests has been maintained, and various forms of protest actions continue in different parts of the country. Over the past eight days, at least 222 locations in 78 cities across 26 provinces have witnessed protests. During these events, at least 990 citizens have been arrested, and at least 19 protesters have lost their lives.

Protests that initially began with strikes and labor and trade gatherings have continued into the eighth consecutive day, taking the form of street demonstrations, limited sectoral actions, and student protests at some universities.

Background of the Protests

The protests emerged in a context where economic pressures on broad segments of society have reached a critical stage, and clear signs of disruption in the cycle of daily livelihoods are visible. Repeated surges in exchange rates, prolonged market instability, and the continuous decline in purchasing power have darkened and rendered unpredictable the economic outlook for households and trade activists alike, turning financial insecurity into a widespread experience.

In the days leading up to the start of the protests, reports indicated that exchange rates had crossed new thresholds, alongside a downturn in the capital market and capital outflows. Analysts have interpreted this trend as a shift of liquidity toward safer markets such as gold and foreign currency, and a decline in public trust in economic policies. At the grassroots level, the consequences have included the closure or partial shutdown of trade units, increasing difficulty in sustaining small businesses, and the spread of protest and strike waves in various cities, protests rooted not in a single short-term factor, but in the long-term accumulation of livelihood pressures and the erosion of hope for improved conditions.

Geography of the Protests

According to updated and aggregated information, over the past eight days at least 222 locations across Iran have witnessed protests, street demonstrations, or labor and trade strikes. These protests have been reported in a total of 26 provinces, and during this period, 17 universities have also seen student protest activities.

Over the past 24 hours alone, at least 20 cities, including Shiraz, Zarqan, Qazvin, Joveyn, Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Birjand, Behbahan, Karaj, Sureshjan, Sari, Tehran, Gachsaran, Mahallat, Khorramabad, Shahroud, Likak, Hafshejan, Dorud, Marvdasht, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Saman, Yasuj, Nurabad-e Mamasani, Mashhad, Mehdi Shahr (Sangsar), Lahijan, Mashkan, Rudsar, Neyshabur, and Bushehr, have experienced street protests, protest gatherings, labor strikes, student demonstrations, as well as the imposition of heightened security atmospheres in some areas.

An examination of the geographical distribution of the protests shows that these activities have not been limited to major metropolitan centers, but have also encompassed smaller cities and various regions across the country, indicating the horizontal spread of the protests and the participation of diverse social groups in this wave of dissent.

Forms of Protest and Slogans

A review of verified videos and reports shows that the eighth day of protests, similar to previous days, lacked a single unifying محور and encompassed a wide range of demands. Slogans chanted at gatherings ranged from livelihood and economic grievances to criticism of governance practices, restrictions on individual and social freedoms, and calls for justice.

Within the framework of its human rights mandate, HRANA focuses its reporting on slogans and demands that are directly related to violations of, or calls for, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and civil rights. The persistence of these demands across different parts of the country reflects the depth of public discontent and the overlap of economic, social, and political grievances within the current protest movement.

Conduct of Law Enforcement-Security Forces and Details of Violence

On the eighth day of nationwide protests, reports and published videos continued to point to a prevailing security atmosphere and the use of repressive measures by law enforcement and security forces to prevent the formation or spread of protest gatherings. Images released from various cities show violent crackdown, gunfire, the use of tear gas, and the arrest of protesters.

Meanwhile, state broadcaster IRIB aired a video of a forced confession by a citizen accused of setting fire to one of the agents—footage whose recording conditions remain unclear.

In addition, official accounts provided by local authorities regarding some of the fatalities have been met with skepticism by eyewitnesses and contradicted by unofficial reports. Details surrounding these deaths remain under review and subject to further verification.

Fatalities and Injuries

According to updated information from HRANA, the deaths of at least 20 people during the eight days of protests have been confirmed. One of the deceased was affiliated with law enforcement-security forces. At least 51 cases of citizen injuries have also been recorded so far, most of them resulting from pellet and plastic bullets.

Supplementing reports from previous days, new field investigations by this human rights organization confirm the deaths of Reza Azimzadeh, Mehdi Emami-Pour, Latif Karimi, Soroush Soleimani, Rasoul Kadiourian, Reza Kadiourian, Hossein Rabiei, and Amir Mohammad Kouhkan.

HRANA has also received concerning reports of the beating of Nasser Rezaei Ahangarany, a lawyer, by security forces on Saturday evening, January 3, during protests in Khorramabad.

Separately, Kurdpa News Agency, which covers developments in Kurdish regions, reported that at least 30 people were injured during protests in Malekshahi the previous day.

Arrests

Over the past eight days of protests, at least 990 protesting citizens have been arrested, although the actual number of detainees is estimated to be significantly higher.

Individual arrests with confirmed identities on the eighth day:

1. Full name: Salman Mardani
Place of arrest: Dehloran
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
2. Full name: Pouria Aliyari, student
Place of arrest: Esfarayen
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
3. Full name: Parsa Loghmani, student
Place of arrest: Babol
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Released
4. Full name: Erfan Dehghani Iraj
Place of arrest: Tehran
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Released
5. Full name: Asghar Shakeri
Place of arrest: Mashhad
Date of arrest: December 31, 2025
Current status: Detained
6. Full name: Fariba Hosseini
Place of arrest: Shiraz
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
7. Full name: Javad Soltani Kalateh
Place of arrest: Sabzevar
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
8. Full name: Abolfazl Imani, 17-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Sabzevar
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
9. Full name: Saeed Shiei, 17-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Sabzevar
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
10. Full name: Jalal Lotfi
Place of arrest: Sabzevar
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
11. Full name: Ali Amanabadi
Place of arrest: Neyshabur
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
12. Full name: Zahra Izadi Nia
Place of arrest: Yasuj
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
13. Full name: Hasti Ghorbani, 16-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Mashhad
Date of arrest: Unknown
Current status: Detained
14. Full name: Alireza Yazdani
Place of arrest: Tehran
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
15. Full name: Mahan Mohammadi
Place of arrest: Tehran
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
16. Full name: Sajad Ravad
Place of arrest: Behbahan
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
17. Full name: Shahrokh Shojaei
Place of arrest: Behbahan
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
18. Full name: Abolfazl Tayebi
Place of arrest: Behbahan
Date of arrest: January 1, 2026
Current status: Detained
19. Full name: Sina Dehdashti, 16-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Behbahan
Date of arrest: January 1, 2026
Current status: Detained
20. Full name: Artin Estadayan, 16-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Behbahan
Date of arrest: January 1, 2026
Current status: Released after submission of a salary slip
21. Full name: Saber Vafaian-Nejad, 15-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Behbahan
Date of arrest: January 1, 2026
Current status: Detained
22. Full name: Maryam Zarei
Place of arrest: Yazd
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
23. Full name: Sara Nosrati, 17-year-old minor
Place of arrest: Yazd
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
24. Full name: Reyhaneh Zarei
Place of arrest: Yazd
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
25. Full name: Farzaneh Golestani
Place of arrest: Yazd
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
26. Full name: Ahmadreza Khosravi, minor
Place of arrest: Shushtar
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
27. Full name: Emad Ghorbani, minor
Place of arrest: Shushtar
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
28. Full name: Sajad Khorshidi
Place of arrest: Ilam
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
29. Full name: Abolfazl Saki
Place of arrest: Ilam
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
30. Full name: Alireza Momeni
Place of arrest: Ilam
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
31. Full name: Alireza Momeni, student
Place of arrest: Ilam
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
32. Full name: Faizeh Rashidi
Place of arrest: Badreh
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
33. Full name: Siroos Azarmehr
Place of arrest: Isfahan
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
34. Full name: Saman Shahamat
Place of arrest: Isfahan
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
35. Full name: Payam Aminzadeh
Place of arrest: Isfahan
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
36. Full name: Siroos Javidy
Place of arrest: Isfahan
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
37. Full name: Fatemeh Zarei
Place of arrest: Mashhad
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
38. Full name: Elaheh Khazaei
Place of arrest: Shahriar
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
39. Full name: Setayesh Khazaei
Place of arrest: Shahriar
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
40. Full name: Nazanin Khazaei
Place of arrest: Shahriar
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
41. Full name: Mehdi Hasanpour
Place of arrest: Neqab
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
42. Full name: Negar (Aram) Iranmanesh
Place of arrest: Yasuj
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
43. Full name: Pouya Naderi
Place of arrest: Abdanan
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
44. Full name: Abdollah Ahmadi
Place of arrest: Abdanan
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
45. Full name: Mehdi Sheikhi
Place of arrest: Abdanan
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
46. Full name: Amir Eisa Zadeh
Place of arrest: Darreh Shahr
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
47. Full name: Mohammad Bashir Hashemian
Place of arrest: Darreh Shahr
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
48. Full name: Mehdi Hashemian
Place of arrest: Darreh Shahr
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
49. Full name: Ahmad Hasanvand Amouzadeh
Place of arrest: Darreh Shahr
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
50. Full name: Bahador Amouzadeh
Place of arrest: Darreh Shahr
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
51. Full name: Ahmad Haqnazari
Place of arrest: Sarableh
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
52. Full name: Reza Bagheri Nejad
Place of arrest: Sarableh
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
53. Full name: Shahin Qasr Beigi
Place of arrest: Sarableh
Date of arrest: January 4, 2026
Current status: Detained
54. Full name: Salal Sadeghi
Place of arrest: Shabab
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
55. Full name: Iraj Rostami Mehr
Place of arrest: Shabab
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
56. Full name: Samyar Motallebi, student
Place of arrest: Tehran
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
57. Full name: Ramin Pourasal, student
Place of arrest: Tehran
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
58. Full name: Ehsan Masoudi, student
Place of arrest: Tehran
Date of arrest: Recent days
Current status: Detained
59. Full name: Meysam Behzadi
Place of arrest: Kermanshah
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
60. Full name: Ehsan Hayati
Place of arrest: Kermanshah
Date of arrest: January 1, 2026
Current status: Detained
61. Full name: Mohammad Ziyadi
Place of arrest: Kermanshah
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
62. Full name: Rahim Mohammadvali
Place of arrest: Hersin
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
63. Full name: Ali Cheraghi
Place of arrest: Hersin
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
64. Full name: Milad Alibeygi
Place of arrest: Hersin
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Detained
65. Full name: Saeed Darvishi
Place of arrest: Eslamabad-e Gharb
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
66. Full name: Yousef Salkhordeh
Place of arrest: Gilan-e Gharb
Date of arrest: January 3, 2026
Current status: Detained
67. Full name: Delaram Kazemi
Place of arrest: Gilan-e Gharb
Date of arrest: January 2, 2026
Current status: Released

Group Arrests or Arrests Without Confirmed Identities (Eighth Day)

• Arrest of several individuals in Yazd, detained for activity on social media
• Arrest of one individual in Marlik, Malard, presented as a “leader of the protests”
• Arrest of one individual in Shiraz’s Maali Abad neighborhood, detained after being beaten by security forces
• Arrest of four citizens in Qazvin, described as “instigators of the protests”
• Arrest of several protesters in Zanjan, labeled as “agents of unrest”
• Arrest of 71 individuals, including one woman, in Yazd over recent days
• Arrest of 30 individuals on the previous night in Jafarabad neighborhood, Kermanshah
• Arrest of 150 individuals in Isfahan and their transfer to the city’s prison
• Arrest of 24 individuals in Shiraz and their transfer to Adelabad Prison
• Arrest of three individuals in Shiraz and Tehran
• Arrest of one individual in Rezvanshahr
• Arrest of 30 individuals in Behbahan

International Reactions

The escalation of violence and repression in Iran has also sparked international concern. In a statement quoted from its spokesperson, the European Union’s External Action Service expressed concern over violence against Iranian protesters and called on Iran’s security forces to exercise restraint in dealing with participants in peaceful demonstrations. The statement described the protests as “reflecting the demands of many Iranians” and emphasized that developments across Iran are being closely monitored. It further stated: “We are concerned by reports of deaths and injuries and call on Iranian security forces to show maximum restraint in responding to peaceful protests. Authorities have acknowledged socio-economic challenges, and addressing these challenges must take place through inclusive dialogue, not violence.”

A diplomatic source at France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing regret over the killing of protesters, called for full transparency and for Iran to respect its international commitments.

Amnesty International Australia called for an immediate halt to violence, the release of political prisoners, an end to executions, and a stop to the use of lethal weapons against protesters.

The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims, in a statement published on Friday, January 3, declared solidarity with protesters in Iran and called for an immediate end to the violent suppression of protests, accountability regarding those killed, injured, and detained, and respect for the right to protest and freedom of expression.

Domestic (Governmental) Reactions

Today, the commander of Iran’s national police (FARAJA) announced that what he described as “targeted arrests of leaders” had begun over the past two nights. Ahmadreza Radan claimed that those arrested were accused of inciting citizens and receiving foreign currency in exchange for their actions.

Meanwhile, official media and channels affiliated with security institutions continue to describe protests in various cities as “riots,” accusing protesters of ties to foreign actors and opposition groups. This narrative, presented without clear evidence, seeks to deny the livelihood-based and protest-driven nature of citizens’ demands and attribute the protests to external interference.

Mohammad Ja’far Montazeri, head of Iran’s Supreme Court, said the recent protests were unrelated to the will of the people and dismissed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding support for the Iranian people as ineffective. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of parliament’s National Security Commission, warned the United States that any action would result in its regional interests being targeted. Qassem Ravanbakhsh, a member of parliament from Qom, described Trump’s support for protesters as foreign interference and rejected it. In contrast, Ahmad Naderi, a member of parliament’s presidium, assessed the protests as stemming from runaway inflation and economic mismanagement by the government. At the same time, the police commander of Yazd Province reported the identification and arrest of administrators of several social media pages linked to the protests.

The Iran Reform Front reacted to the recent protests, stating that the government’s approach of avoiding violence and listening to protesters’ voices is a positive—though insufficient—step toward rebuilding public trust. It emphasized that the protests in Iran have entirely domestic roots and can only be pursued through peaceful means.

Ali Rabiei, the president’s social affairs aide, said in response to the protests: “Iran today stands at one of the most complex junctures in its history, a moment shaped not only by external pressures, but by the accumulation of economic imbalances, erosion of social capital, and policy mistakes over past decades.”

Finally, the Workers’ House of Iran, in a statement reacting to the protests, declared that the people of Iran have the right to protest their livelihood and economic conditions, and that this right is legitimate, legal, and social. It added that workers across the country have repeatedly raised their demands in professional and peaceful ways.

Domestic Reactions (Civil Society, Trade Groups, and Public Figures)

The Kermanshah Bar Association, in a statement responding to the popular protests, described the purpose of governments and political, administrative, and military institutions as “serving the interests of the people” in areas such as the economy, security, healthcare, and education. It emphasized that despite nearly five decades since the revolution, the Islamic Republic has failed to achieve a large portion of these objectives. The statement said that Iran has, over these years, become a “poor and isolated” country, and that the “widespread poverty and misery of the people,” alongside the “expansion of corruption,” are clear signs of the inefficiency of the governing system. The Hersin Teachers’ Association also issued a statement supporting the protests, declaring that under current conditions, no option remains other than street protests.

Separately, the Hersin Teachers’ Association reiterated its support for the protests, stating that there is no alternative but to take to the streets.

Labor organizations, retirees’ groups, and social associations, in a joint reaction to the protests, said in a statement that runaway inflation has broken the backs of the majority of the population. Wages and salaries that fall below the poverty line and the cost-of-living basket, privatization, repression, imprisonment, executions, and war-driven policies have pushed people’s lives to the brink of collapse. Society has reached a boiling point, and nationwide protests are a direct reflection of this critical situation.

The Islam Abad-e Gharb Teachers’ Association, expressing support for the protests, stated that given the livelihood problems facing working and retired teachers and various segments of society under the current dire economic conditions, it fully supports the rightful protests of different social groups across the country and will stand alongside them.

A number of male and female athletes, including members of national teams and club teams, also voiced their support for the popular protests through public messages.

Conclusion

The ongoing protests, which began at Tehran’s bazaar, have entered their eighth day marked by geographical expansion, increased public participation, and an intensified presence of security forces. The combination of livelihood and political demands, rising arrests, and authorities’ attempts to simultaneously manage the crisis through economic and security measures highlight the state’s heightened sensitivity to the continuation of these protests.

HRANA continues to collect, verify, and complete information related to these protests and will publish follow-up reports should the demonstrations continue or expand.

Detailed Report on the Sixth Day of Protests: Violence by Security Forces and an Increase in the Arrest of Protesters

Protests and strikes by shopkeepers and citizens in various cities across Iran entered their sixth day today. Over the past six days, at least 113 locations across the country, in 46 cities spanning 22 provinces, have witnessed protests. During these protests, dozens of people were arrested and at least eight protesters lost their lives.

Posted on January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News

HRANA – Protests and strikes by shopkeepers and citizens in various cities across Iran entered their sixth day today. Over the past six days, at least 113 locations across the country, in 46 cities spanning 22 provinces, have witnessed protests. During these protests, dozens of people were arrested and at least eight protesters lost their lives.

The widespread protests that began on Monday, December 29, with gatherings and strikes by bazaar merchants in Tehran continued today, Friday, January 2, for a sixth consecutive day. The protests have been accompanied in some cities by an intensified security presence, violence, and arrests of citizens. Demonstrations persisted in cities including Neyshabur, Sabzevar, Esfarayen, Mashhad, Hamedan, Fardis, Gohardasht, Khorramabad, Qazvin, Tehran, Fuladshahr, Zahedan, Marvdasht, Parand, Hafshejan, Joneqan, Yasuj, and Qom. Reports were also published today indicating the use of violence by security and law enforcement forces. As protests continued, the scope of arrests expanded, with reports collected of dozens of protesting citizens being detained.

Background to the Protests

The new wave of protests has emerged amid unprecedented economic pressure on various segments of society, alongside simultaneous signs of structural erosion in the country’s livelihood system. The rapid rise in foreign currency prices, chronic market instability, and the continued devaluation of the national currency have made the economic outlook extremely uncertain for citizens and trade activists.

In the days leading up to the protests, the exchange rate surpassed 140,000 tomans, while the capital market experienced a significant outflow of capital and declines in indices. According to analysts, these developments reflect a large-scale shift of capital toward lower-risk assets such as foreign currency and gold, and signal declining public confidence in economic policies. The direct consequences have included the closure or partial shutdown of trade units, the inability of small businesses to continue operating, and the expansion of protests and strikes in cities across the country.

Geography of the Protests

Based on collected information, gatherings and protests on the sixth day were reported in 17 cities across 13 provinces. Protests continued in cities including Sabzevar, Esfarayen, Neyshabur, Mashhad, Hafshejan, Joneqan, Hamedan, Fardis, Tehran, Parand, Gohardasht, Zahedan, Marvdasht, Fooladshahr, Yasuj, Qazvin, and Qom.

In Zahedan, protesting citizens took to the streets after Friday prayers and chanted protest slogans. These gatherings mainly took place on University Street and Khayyam Street.

Marvdasht also witnessed protest gatherings today. In the morning, during the burial ceremony of one of those killed in the protests, citizens chanted protest slogans, and several hours later, protest gatherings formed on Enghelab Street in the city.

Meanwhile, a video from the burial ceremony of Dariush Ansari Bakhtiarvand in Fuladshahr has been published, showing a large turnout of citizens. This protesting citizen was shot by law enforcement–security forces on Wednesday evening, December 31, after participating in popular protests, and lost his life.

According to verified reports up to the time of publication, a total of 113 protests have been recorded over the past six days in 46 cities across 22 provinces. Fifteen student gatherings at 13 universities are also included in this figure.

Methods of Protest and Slogans

Based on reviews of videos and verified reports, the slogans chanted were largely centered on livelihood, economic, and political demands rooted in citizens’ fundamental rights. These slogans included criticism of the power structure, objections to restrictions on individual and social freedoms, demands for justice, and opposition to the prevailing economic and living conditions.

At the same time, in some gatherings, slogans with more diverse themes were also heard, reflecting the heterogeneous range of views and tendencies among protesters. Within the framework of its human rights mission, HRANA focuses its reporting on slogans and demands that are directly related to violations of, or demands for, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and civil rights.

On the sixth day of protests, scenes of dissent extended to cemeteries, where citizens chanted protest slogans during the burial ceremonies of two individuals killed in the protests. In the streets as well, protesting citizens held gatherings while chanting slogans.

The persistence and repetition of these slogans across different cities indicate an overlap between labor, livelihood, and political demands within the context of the ongoing protests, and reflect the depth of accumulated grievances in Iranian society.

Conduct of Law Enforcement-Security Forces and Details of Violence

On the sixth day of widespread protests across various Iranian cities, reports and videos indicated the continued securitized atmosphere and the use of repressive measures by law enforcement and security forces to prevent the formation and spread of protest gatherings. In one such case, a video from the city of Qom showed agents using tear gas to disperse citizens. Hours later, another video from the same city was published in which a citizen is seen holding a cartridge casing attributed to a pellet gun used by anti-riot forces, stating that it belonged to pellet “No. 5.”

In Tehran, a video from protests in the Narmak neighborhood shows anti-riot forces using violence in an attempt to arrest a female protester. Field reports also indicate that today, Friday, security forces used violence to arrest a number of protesters during demonstrations in Zahedan.

Continuing acts of violence included the killing of Khodadad Shirvani, a resident of Marvdasht, who was shot by security forces yesterday after participating in popular protests and lost his life. His burial ceremony was held today, Friday, with a large turnout of citizens, during which attendees chanted protest slogans.

At the same time, a protest gathering in Yasuj was also met with suppression by law enforcement and security forces. According to a video published by BBC Persian, agents used tear gas to disperse protesters, and the sound of gunfire can also be heard in the footage. Reports have also emerged of the use of tear gas during nighttime protests in Fardis and Khorramabad.

In the cities of Hafshejan and Joneqan, protest gatherings were likewise accompanied by the presence of law enforcement forces. Mehr News Agency reported that “law enforcement officers, by being present at the scene, took action to manage the gathering.”

Additionally, a video published from protests in Kuhdasht, dating back to Wednesday, December 31, shows a protesting citizen who was seriously injured in the right leg, with those present attempting to stop the bleeding.

It has also been reported that during the nighttime protests on January 1 in Marvdasht, Fars Province, a passing vehicle was targeted by gunfire from security forces. According to the published video, a Pride car entering a main boulevard from a side street, an area filled with anti-riot forces and vehicles, was shot at close range and without prior warning by one of the agents. After the shooting, another agent intervened and instructed the driver to leave the area.

Finally, channels close to security institutions reported today the death of a Basij member during the recent protests in the city of Harsin. The individual was identified as Ali Azizi.

Arrests and Security Pressures

Today, HRANA received reports regarding the transfer of 15 detained women to Evin Prison. These women, who were arrested during the recent protests, are reportedly mostly injured and were therefore transferred to the prison infirmary upon arrival. Their identities are still under investigation.

According to additional information received, Fardin Moslemi and Mahan Khoobani, both 16 years old, were arrested by security forces in the cities of Gachsaran and Yasuj and transferred to an unknown location. Fardin Moslemi was arrested in the early hours of today, Friday, January 2, by IRGC Intelligence forces in Gachsaran, while Mahan Khoobani was arrested yesterday in Yasuj.

HRANA has also learned that Misagh Kooch Peydeh and Amir Nodehi, residents of Tehran, as well as Salman Ghodrati, a resident of Bojnord, have been arrested. According to this report, Messrs. Nodehi and Ghodrati were arrested yesterday, Thursday, by security forces.

Meanwhile, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Izeh announced the arrest of a number of citizens during last night’s protests in the city. Published reports also indicate that today, Friday, security agents arrested at least five individuals during protests by citizens in Zahedan.

In addition, reports have been received of the arrest of at least 16 citizens in the cities of Tehran, Kermanshah, and Ilam. The identities of these individuals have been reported as: Iman Ali-Moradi, Ali Najafi, Mohammad Hasanvand, Bijan Karimian, Mohammad Javad Zarei, Akbar Darvishi, Aref Darvishi, Mohammad Havasi, Sepehr Salehi, Amir Raoufi, Ehsan Maleki, Milad Kiadi, Farzad Shokri, Abolfazl Shadfar, Moein Maleki, and Yazdan Bakhti. These arrests took place on December 31 and January 1.

The chief justices of Lorestan and Isfahan provinces also announced that a number of protesting citizens were arrested in recent days in the counties of Azna, Delfan, and Isfahan.

In the same context, a channel close to security institutions published two separate videos of forced confessions by a detained citizen in Amol. In these videos, whose recording conditions are unclear, a young man with a fully visible face expresses remorse for publishing calls for protests. The same channel also released a video of the arrest of a citizen on January 2 in Khorramabad, claiming that weapons and ammunition were discovered in his possession. According to the report, this arrest was carried out by agents of the Abolfazl Corps of the IRGC in Lorestan Province.

State broadcaster IRIB also released videos containing forced confessions of several citizens, announcing their arrest during protests in Kermanshah. At least four citizens can be seen in these videos. Mehr News Agency likewise published a video of a forced confession by a citizen arrested yesterday on Motahhari Street in Khorramabad; the circumstances under which these videos were recorded remain unknown.

Subsequently, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Izeh once again announced the arrest of a number of citizens during last night’s protests in the city.

Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency reported that several protesters were arrested during demonstrations in Qazvin on charges described as belonging to “saboteur elements.” According to the agency, one individual allegedly involved in publishing protest calls online was also arrested.

HRANA has also learned that on December 31 and January 1, a number of citizens in Gorgan were arrested for publishing calls for protests.

The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Hamedan also announced today the arrest of several citizens during protests in the city, without providing details regarding their identities or the exact timing of their arrests.

Ashraf Montazeri, daughter of Ayatollah Montazeri, stated that her daughter and grandchild were arrested during street protests and released after one day on bail.

Fars News Agency also reported the arrest of a citizen in Isfahan, claiming that he “intended to join the gathering with a handgun and carry out anti-security and sabotage actions.” According to the outlet, the arrest took place on Thursday, January 1.

Additionally, media outlets close to security institutions, without naming individuals, reported the arrest of three citizens, including a teenager, in the cities of Isfahan, Khorramabad, and Amol during the ongoing protests.

In the final hours of today, the Public Relations Office of the Rouhollah Corps of the IRGC in Markazi Province announced the arrest of the administrators of two Telegram channels in the cities of Saveh and Arak, claiming that these channels played a role in the “management and direction of protesters.”

Meanwhile, Amirkabir Newsletter reported that Amirhossein Keshavarz, a student activist, was arrested by security forces. According to the report, agents went to his residence today, arrested him, and transferred him to an unknown location.

Reactions

As nationwide protests entered their sixth day, officials of the Islamic Republic and media outlets affiliated with official and security institutions, alongside continued on-the-ground repression, have sought to reinforce a dominant narrative centered on “foreign interference” and “national security,” while sidelining protesters’ demands.

At the political level, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, reacting to support expressed by Donald Trump for protesters, described the stance as “irresponsible and dangerous,” claiming that such statements target Iran’s sovereignty and that the Islamic Republic’s armed forces are “ready to respond.” At the same time, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, and Alireza Salimi, a member of the parliamentary presidium, issued threatening warnings that any “foreign interference” would be met with a “regret-inducing” response.

In this context, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council sent a letter to domestic media outlets, urging them to condemn Trump’s support for protesters and, by drawing a “clear line with the enemy,” refrain from what it described as “raw, emotional, or tension-inducing dissemination.” The council also praised media outlets that it said had “contributed to stability,” reflecting intensified control and guidance of the media narrative on the sixth day of protests.

In the judicial and security sphere, officials such as Saeed Shahvarai, Chief Justice of Lorestan Province, announced the arrest of protesters in cities including Azna and Delfan, without providing transparent details regarding charges or judicial procedures. At the same time, some pro-government religious figures, including Hossein Nouri Hamedani, while implicitly acknowledging economic pressures, sought to reduce the roots of the crisis to “mismanagement” and avoided linking the protests to the political structure.

At the international level, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over developments in Iran, stating that reports of violence against protesters are being followed “closely,” and called on Iranian authorities to respect citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. This position was expressed amid numerous reports of shootings, arrests, and an intense security atmosphere across various Iranian cities.

State-affiliated media, in their coverage of the sixth day, focused on emphasizing external threats, warning the United States and Israel, and promoting the narrative that protests are being directed by “hostile groups”—a narrative that does not align with field evidence or the breadth of protesters’ demands.

Conclusion

The ongoing protests, which began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, entered their sixth day with expanded geographic scope, increased public participation, and an intensified presence of security forces. The combination of livelihood and political demands, the rise in arrests, and officials’ efforts to simultaneously contain the crisis through economic and security measures reflect the authorities’ high sensitivity to the continuation of these protests.

HRANA continues to collect, verify, and complete information related to these protests and will publish supplementary reports should the gatherings persist or expand.

Report on Current Nationwide Protests: Hundreds Arrested; Dozens Killed and Injured

Posted on May 20, 2022May 23, 2022 by A MN

Freedom of Expression, News

During the last two weeks, triggered by food price hikes, nationwide protests erupted in more than 31 cities across 10 provinces. HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, has recorded 53 demonstrations so far.

According to HRANA, on Friday, May 6, 2022, following the government’s decision to cut subsidies on essential food items such as dairy products, flour, cooking oil, chicken, and eggs leading to soaring prices, the call for rallying against soaring prices went viral on social media. In the following days, several protests broke out in Khuzestan Province and soon swept through numerous cities across the country.

Prior to these protests, a series of protests and gatherings of teachers, labor workers and the retirees who had lost their pensions due to the government’s risky financial decisions had been sweeping across the country leading to dozens being arrested.

The new rounds of protests sparked initially in Susangerd City and other neighboring cities in Khuzestan Province. In the following days, at least 30 Arab-speaking citizens were arrested by security forces.

Soon after, the protests spread to other cities and provinces. The videos received from citizen journalists indicate that the protestors chanted slogans against inflation as well as the Iranian regime leaders, including President Ebrahim Raeisi and Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The map below shows the locations where the protests were.

As the map shows, the protests took place in the following cities: Izeh, Susangerd, Hamidieh, Ahvaz, Mahshahr, Masjed Soleiman, Shadegan, Jarahi Town Mahshahr, Dorud, Andimeshk, Dezful, Shahrekord, Junaqan, Fashafouyeh, Yasuj, Ardabil, Farsan, Khorramabad, Dehdasht, Borujerd, Suq, Yazd, Golpayegan, Cholicheh, Rasht, Neyshabur, Surshjan, Hafshejan, Babaheydar, Karevan Town and Pordanjan.

In total, 53 protests have been recorded. Moreover, 45 times, the attempts to start a protest were foiled due to the heavy presence of police and security forces in the streets.

The map below shows the locations of 53 protests and the time periods.

During these protests, at least on 22 occasions in 14 cities, the police and security forces used tear gas, warning shots, pellet guns and in some cases heavy weapons against the protestors. In nine cities, tear gas and in 14 cities warning shots were used to scatter the crowds. In eight cities, security forces fired straight toward the crowds. Reportedly, security forces have used pellet guns, Kalashnikov assault rifles and paintball guns to disperse the protestors.

The map below shows the places where crackdowns and unrestrained shootings have been reported.

Since the beginning of the protests on Friday, May 6, the government disrupted the internet in several areas in Ahvaz in an attempt to prevent the protests. In the days that followed, Internet disruption was also reported in at least 10 cities.

In addition to intentional Internet disruption, the press was banned from covering the protests.

According to the reports obtained from local sources, at least 449 individuals were arrested during the protests.

So far, six people have been confirmed dead. These people have been identified as Pishali Ghalebi Hajivand (Dezful), Saadat Hadipour (Hafshejan), Jamshid Mokhtari Junaqani (Junaqan), Omid Soltani (Andimeshk), Hamid Ghasempour (Farsan City), and Behrooz Eslami (Babaheydar). HRANA can only confirm the reports on the death of the first two individuals mentioned above.

From all videos of protests which are circulating on social media, HRANA has verified the authenticity of 30 video reports which compilation you can watch below:

Three Workers Killed and One Injured Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions

Posted on November 3, 2021November 3, 2021 by A MN

Labor and Guilds, News

Hafshejan, labor laws, Mahabad, Qorveh, Qorveh city, Sanandaj, Sanandaj City, Shahrokh, Shahrokh Mohammadi, workplace conditions, workplace safety

A total of three workers have been killed and one injured in recent accidents that were brought about by unsafe workplace conditions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna, on November 2, in three workplace accidents in Qorveh, Mahabad and Hafshejan cities, three workers lost their lives and one more was injured.

Ali Naseri, the head of the fire department in Qorveh announced the death of a worker due to the fire that broke out in a bakery.

“In a bakery in a district in the center city of Qorveh, a gas leak from a gas pipe, which had been branched off illegally to be used for bread baking machine, caused a fire in this bakery,” Naseri commented. “After the neighbors reported the fire, the fire department dispatched the firefighting team to the spot. The firefighters saved two workers from the fire. One of them had severe burns, who was transferred to the hospital.”

The head of the pre-hospital emergency care unit of Qorveh Shahrokh Mohammadi revealed that the 55-year-old baker died in a hospital in Sanandaj city due to severe burns in several parts of his body.

It is worth noting that many bakeries in both urban and rural areas use off-brand gas lines which are not up to code, and this can lead to gas leaks and fires.

In another workplace accident in Mahabad, a worker was poisoned by carbon monoxide gas.

“Following an emergency call, the Emergency Center of Police 110 sent a team to the spot,” the police commander of Mahabad stated. “Preliminary examination of the emergency team revealed the victim, a 50-year-old man, has died of poisoning due to inhaling carbon monoxide gas while he was asleep.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA, two months after a work accident, in a sugar factory in Hafshjan city in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, one worker died from severe injuries. Reportedly, the victim died from a neck fracture after eight heavy sugar bags fell on top of on him.

“The height of the sugar bag piles should not be more than 1.8 meters,” HSE manager of Hafshjan sugar factory Arash Heyday said. “The government has to take action to unload these warehouses. However, because of the delay in unloading and lack of room, we have to make higher stacks which endanger the workers.”

Iran ranks 102 in workplace safety out of 189 countries.

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Tag: Hafshejan