# Iran is roiled by anti-government protests **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 2, 2026, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267 "2026-01-02T04:54:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/121 "2026-01-24T20:41:23Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Then this news broke. > > the tone of the conversation was desperate. For what it’s worth, it’s not just flights to Iran that are being cancelled. In Israel, too, several major airlines (AirFrance, Lufthansa, KLM) have announced cancellations due to political tensions. It may just be an issue of insurance coverage. The airlines prefer to lose a little money by cancelling a couple flights rather than risk lawsuits from passengers if something bad happens. Also, insurance probably doesn’t cover a war zone I assume that the airlines don’t have any special military intelligence. Also, for what it’s worth..many other airlines are still flying routinely to and from Israel. (This includes ElAl-and they fly in full accordance to Israeli Air Force intelligence.) ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/122 "2026-01-24T20:52:42Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Word is spreading fast across the country that borders have been closed and the military is mobilizing. Do you know which military? The Ayatollah’s Guard, or the regular army (Artesh)? And can you speculate what the significance would be if it is Artesh? Earlier in the thread there were hints that Artesh is not so loyal to the regime. A week ago there were isolated reports of soldiers joining the protesters. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/123 "2026-01-24T21:40:09Z")
The information we got isn’t that specific. There’s an internal communication blackout too, remember. This is all whispered word of mouth. But if an attack by American forces is imminent, then the mobilization would be general, all available forces. It’s the specific deployment that will vary: Artesh at the borders and incursion points, the Guard focused on defending regime assets and personnel. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/124 "2026-01-24T22:40:00Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Artesh at the borders and incursion points In other words, they’ll being posted as far as possible from any potential combat. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/125 "2026-01-25T00:18:32Z")
If the Iranian military is mobilizing, it’s probably in response to this: > **[Trump warns U.S. 'armada' heading to Iran; death toll in protest crackdown...](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/trump-armada-iran-death-toll-protest-crackdown-executions-rcna255547)** > > Tehran on Friday dismissed as "completely false" Trump's repeated suggestion that his threats had halted the planned executions of more than 800 protesters. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/126 "2026-01-25T08:55:20Z")
There are reports that the death toll was even higher than imagined, at over 30,000 people: [https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1heybmlwl#autoplay](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1heybmlwl#autoplay) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/127 "2026-01-25T15:08:14Z")
Came here to post a link to the same claim from TIME. > **[Iran Protest Death Toll Could Top 30,000: Local Officials](https://time.com/7357635/more-than-30000-killed-in-iran-say-senior-officials/)** > > At least 30,000 people were killed on Jan. 8 and 9 alone, senior officials of the country’s Ministry of Health tell TIME. SPECIFICALLY the claim is not 30,000 dead overall it is 30,000 dead _on Jan 8 and 9 alone_. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/128 "2026-01-27T19:36:46Z")
Potentially interesting background article on one of the Farsi language channels trying to bring news out of (and into) the country. > **[Labelled terrorists by Tehran: London-based Persian TV aims to air 'truth'...](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/london-based-persian-tv-aims-to-air-truth-about-iran-protests-1742786570)** > > Journalists at London-based Iran International are working around the clock to report on Iran's protests, defying threats from Tehran and intimidation targeting them and their families. No concrete updates to provide on a personal front, alas. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/129 "2026-02-03T17:24:12Z")
This may need to be split off into a new thread if it escalates further, but… Earlier today or last night depending on time zone a US tanker was approached by Iranian ships and told to stop and be boarded. It fled and was able to reach an American warship who escorted it away. Now the USS Lincoln, a carrier, shot down an Iranian UAV that approached it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/130 "2026-02-03T17:30:35Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Now the USS Lincoln, a carrier, shot down an Iranian UAV that approached it. Any news link? **Moderating:** Also as the US presence and saber rattling is encourage more protest, this type of story is fine in this thread. Reliable Link: [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-shoots-down-iranian-drone-approaching-aircraft-carrier-official-says-2026-02-03/](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-shoots-down-iranian-drone-approaching-aircraft-carrier-official-says-2026-02-03/) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/131 "2026-02-03T23:43:48Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Any news link? Sorry, saw it on live Israeli news, thanks for finding the link. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/132 "2026-02-03T23:49:37Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Earlier today or last night depending on time zone a US tanker was approached by Iranian ships and told to stop and be boarded. Is the identity/affiliation of the attempted-piracy ships known? Were they internal military, the external military, or something without official governmental affiliation? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/133 "2026-02-04T00:21:04Z")
According to [this](https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156253/Tension-flare-as-Iranian-gunboats-threaten-to-board-US-flagged-tanker), it was IRGC (Revolutionary Guard) boats. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/134 "2026-02-08T23:45:01Z")
[Not all in the IRGC are pleased with the crackdown.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cracks-behind-uniforms-silent-fracture-074337894.html) > [@](#): > > Some Iranian military personnel are dissatisfied with the killing of protesters; a member of the IRGC in Tehran says he has resigned. > > Three weeks after the unprecedented massacre of [protesters](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-cares-more-irans-nuclear-053931744.html) in Iran, carried out largely by forces of the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps](https://www.jpost.com/tags/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps) (IRGC) and its affiliated Basij militia, there are growing signs of discontent among some IRGC members over the continued use of live fire against civilians. > > An IRGC member, speaking through an intermediary, said he has not reported to work since Thursday, Jan. 8, and has since refused to return, citing severe depression and ongoing medical treatment. According to the officer, although [“shoot-to-kill orders”](https://www.jpost.com/tags/iran-protests) had been issued against protesters and harsh crackdowns were expected on Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9, and in the days that followed, he was still shocked by the level of violence and brutality inflicted by IRGC forces on the public. He added that some members of his own family were among the wounded or the disappeared. > > Unconfirmed reports indicate that in recent weeks the IRGC’s Intelligence Protection Organization, the body responsible for internal security oversight, sent confidential directives to commanders warning that any refusal to carry out orders, whether from their immediate superiors or from the Supreme National Security Council, would be met with severe punishment. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2026, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/135 "2026-02-22T01:56:09Z")
After a long pause, it looks like the protests are resuming: > **[Iran students resume anti-government protests](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yj2kzkrj0o)** > > The student protesters honoured thousands of those killed when nationwide mass protests were put down last month. I am assuming this has to do with the build up of American forces in the region? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267/136 "2026-08-10T03:08:22Z")
[Public executions have returned.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/iran-executes-protesters-public-regime-193020307.html) > [@](#): > > LONDON – Public executions returned to the streets of Iran last week as the regime clamps down on public dissent following months of war with the U.S. and mass protests in January, according to recent statements from human rights groups and family members of those executed. > > Cranes were used to set up hanging ropes in Isfahan, a central city in the country, to execute three young protesters. > > Amirhossein Safari, 27, Abolfazl Sepahi, 23, and Alirez Sepahi, 25, were brought by van to Isfahan’s Alikhani Street to be hanged for alleged crimes related to protests against the regime in January, according to human rights groups. > > The Islamic Republic regime in Iran has executed at least 56 people on national security-related charges since March 19, including 27 individuals in cases linked to nationwide protests in January, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a [statement](https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/08/1168081) Wednesday. More than 100 others are at risk of execution on similar charges, Türk warned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-roiled-by-anti-government-protests/1026267.md?page=6)