Discover the shocking details of Iran’s 2026 nationwide protests. Security forces used deadly force, mass arrests, and internet shutdowns in cities like Tehran and Ahvaz. Human rights violations continue.
Iran Human Rights Society – Tuesday, January 21, 2025 – As nationwide protests continue, accounts from various cities in the country paint a picture of widespread repression, undeclared martial law, direct shooting of people, mass arrests, disappearances of detainees and increasing economic pressure. Field reports from Tehran, Ahvaz, Karaj, Sanandaj, Shiraz, Qazvin, Ardabil, Najafabad, and Gorgan show that security forces in plainclothes and combat equipment have taken complete control of the streets, while at the same time, efforts are being made to keep the true dimensions of the repression hidden by cutting off the internet and not registering the names of detainees.
Tehran; Silent martial law and the disappearance of detainees
According to a report received by the Iranian Center for Human Rights, intelligence and judicial institutions in Tehran are not registering the names of detainees in the prison and detention center system so that “they have free rein to inflict any harm on the detainees.” This report has intensified concerns about the enforced disappearance of detainees.
A silent martial law has been in effect in Tehran since 6 p.m. Although no visible military force is seen on the streets, the widespread presence of plainclothes forces has made the city extremely secure. Reports indicate that Tehran is practically deserted and cars with county license plates that had come to Tehran to work on Snap have returned to their cities.
At the same time, shortages of some basic goods have been reported and essential items have become extremely expensive. Local sources report rampant inflation and difficulty in obtaining basic necessities.
Ardabil; Direct clashes between people and officers in Baghmisheh
In Baghmisheh Square in Ardabil, during the days of the demonstrations, people, both men and women, clashed with officers. According to witnesses, protesters confronted the suppressive forces with stones and cinder blocks, and officers also beat people with batons. Several people were arrested during these clashes.
These scenes indicate the spread of nationwide protests to smaller cities and the violent response of security forces.
Ahvaz; Complete martial law and shooting from rooftops
In Ahvaz, complete martial law is in effect on all streets, alleys, and markets. Officers patrol in plainclothes and raid the Hayat-e-Thawra and Kian Bazaar areas every day at 6 p.m. and use batons to force people to close their shops. Anyone who refuses is arrested.
It has been reported that a number of former Arab activists have been arrested in Ahvaz, and others have been threatened with, “If you make a mistake, this time we will arrest you with your wife and children.”
Mass arrests have also been made in Hamidiyeh and the Malashiya area of Ahvaz. In Malashiya, during the security forces’ raid, people were shot at from rooftops and officers took away wounded people. It is not known whether the wounded are alive or dead.
In some areas of Ahvaz, people have come out with weapons. According to local sources, the presence of Popular Mobilization Forces from Iraq has also been reported. These forces are stationed in the new Hamidiyeh garrison in Susangerd.
It has also been reported that in Ahvaz, people are being raided at midnight and arrested. On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, an employee brought a tank to confront the people in the Zeytoun area.
Shiraz; Complete control of the streets
In Shiraz, citizens have reported that “it is impossible to leave the house.” According to local sources, officers are searching people everywhere and a heavy police presence prevails in the city.
Qazvin; Nighttime shooting and a semi-complete closure of the city
In Qazvin, sporadic shootings have been reported at night and people are acting “door-to-door.” The city is in a semi-closed state and no normal activities are taking place. Medical centers are also facing serious problems.
Karaj; Surgery without anesthesia and fear of arrest of the injured
In Karaj, the injured do not go to hospitals because they are immediately arrested. Wounded people who were wounded by live ammunition are operated on without anesthesia or even local anesthesia.
There is a threat of infection and loss of body parts, because no one has the facilities and follow-up care. The streets and lampposts are full of posters, pictures and tributes for young people who were shot dead by officers.
On January 6 and 7, people were shot on Jomhuri Street. A 17-year-old teenager named Sina Lavasani was shot and killed.
Sanandaj; Police atmosphere and extortion for the delivery of the body
In Sanandaj, the internet outage has paralyzed the people. Dozens of civil and environmental activists have been arrested and a heavy police atmosphere prevails in the city.
Security institutions are fully operational and are trying to create fear and terror with all their might. Anyone with a history of political cases has been arrested or imprisoned, or has been arrested or threatened by phone.
A family in Sanandaj whose relatives were killed has been asked for 180 million tomans to pay for the body. Since the family has no money, people are collecting donations.
It has been reported that if someone is arrested for having Starlink, they will be charged with espionage and given a heavy sentence.
Gorgan, Kermanshah and Fasa; Mass arrests
Martial law has been in effect in Gorgan since 7 p.m.
Arrests have been widespread around Kermanshah and the surrounding cities.
In Fasa, a large number of young girls and boys have been arrested and taken to unknown locations.
Hospitals; Wave of Injured and Dead
Hospitals in Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad are facing a massive wave of injured and dead.
In Najafabad, the bodies of 20 people killed in the protests over the past two nights have been transferred to Montazeri Hospital.
Human Rights Violations in the Suppression of Nationwide Protests
Accounts received from various cities indicate widespread and systematic human rights violations during the nationwide protests. Failure to register the names of detainees, nighttime arrests, direct shooting at people, transporting bodies, extortion for the delivery of bodies, arresting doctors, and threatening families are all examples of violations of the right to life, personal security, fair trial, and human dignity.
- Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Right to life and personal security): Direct shooting at people and shooting from rooftops violate the fundamental right to life.
- Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment): Surgery without anesthesia, beatings and degrading treatment of detainees are examples of inhuman treatment.
- Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Prohibition of Arbitrary Detention): Nighttime and mass arrests without official registration are examples of arbitrary detention.
- Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Right to a Fair Trial): Lack of access to a lawyer and the disappearance of detainees violate the right to a fair trial.
- Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Privacy): Raids on homes and seizure of property violate the privacy and security of the family.
What is happening in various cities of the country goes beyond a sporadic repression and has clear signs of a coordinated policy to quell nationwide protests at any cost. The continuation of the silent martial law, the shutdown of the internet, the shooting of people and the disappearance of detainees increases the risk of increasing the number of victims every day.
See also the below articles:
- Arrest of hundreds of citizens on charges of participating in the nationwide protests of 2026 + List No. 4
- Execution for Refusing to Shoot During Protests
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