Tehran, January 9 — The nationwide uprising against Iran’s religious dictatorship entered its thirteenth day on Friday, January 9, 2026, as protests continued across multiple cities despite a deadly crackdown, live fire by security forces, and a near-total internet blackout.
Following a turbulent twelfth day marked by general strikes in western Iran and the killing of eight protesters in Lordegan, demonstrations spread further on Friday, with significant developments reported in Sistan and Baluchestan, Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Shiraz, and several central provinces.
January 9: Protesters clashed with Iranian security forces in Tabriz#IranProtests #FreeIran2026 #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/FajVAkgtvn
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) January 9, 2026
In Zahedan, large crowds gathered near the Makki Mosque after Friday prayers, defying heavy security deployments and severe internet disruptions. Protesters chanted slogans including “Down with the dictator,” “Down with Khamenei,” and “Death to the dictator.” Security forces responded by firing live ammunition, birdshot, and tear gas at demonstrators. Reports confirmed injuries among protesters, though the exact number of casualties remained unclear due to the internet blackout and tight security cordons.
Women played a prominent role in the Zahedan protests, chanting “From Zahedan to Tehran, my life for Iran,” signaling solidarity with demonstrators nationwide. Despite the crackdown, protests continued throughout the day and into the evening.
In Tehran and Karaj, residents returned to the streets despite reports of a massacre carried out by security forces the previous night. Protesters erected roadblocks, lit fires, and in some areas forced security units to retreat. In Tehran’s Sa’adat Abad district, youths overwhelmed security forces, causing them to flee. Demonstrations also resumed in Shariati, Yousef Abad, Janat Abad, Zafaraniyeh, Moshiriyeh, Andarzgoo, Ekbatan, Chitgar, and eastern districts of the capital, where at least one regime building was reportedly burned down.
Chants heard in Tehran included “This is the year of blood, Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be overthrown,” “Down with the dictator,” “Don’t be afraid, we are all together,” and “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran.”
In Karaj’s Fardis district, where a violent crackdown had reportedly occurred just one day earlier, nightly protests resumed. Demonstrators confronted Basij and IRGC forces with chants such as “Basij, IRGC, to us, you are ISIS,” and “We won’t have a country until the mullahs are gone.” Protests were also reported in Golshahr.
In Mashhad, the uprising escalated further as protesters set fire to seminaries used as staging grounds for Basij paramilitary forces. Large crowds chanted “Down with Khamenei” and “Down with the dictator” as fires engulfed regime-linked buildings.
In Shiraz, protesters established roadblocks and set fires, chanting slogans including “This is the year of blood, Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be overthrown!” and “Down with the dictator!” Similar nighttime rallies were reported in Isfahan, Qom’s Zanbil Abad district, and Fuladshahr.
As protests spread, regime officials issued explicit threats. The governor of Tehran warned that weapons would be used against demonstrators if protests escalated into what authorities label as “confrontation,” justifying violence by distinguishing protests from what he termed “riots.”
January 9: Protesters took to the streets in Pasdaran Street in Tehran.#IranProtests #FreeIran2026 #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/0NP3ptv7jn
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) January 9, 2026
Alongside the crackdown, the regime imposed a nationwide digital blockade. NetBlocks confirmed that Iran had been offline for at least 12 hours, with national internet connectivity dropping to approximately 1% of normal levels. The blackout coincided with the escalation of protests and the use of live fire against demonstrators, particularly in Zahedan.
Opposition leader Maryam Rajavi saluted the protesters and rebellious youth, praising their resilience and honoring those killed during the uprising. She emphasized the continuation of protests until the overthrow of the clerical regime.
As night fell on the thirteenth day, demonstrations continued across Iran, underscoring persistent public defiance despite lethal force, mass security deployments, and efforts to isolate the country from the outside world.
January 9, 2026
