Widespread Iran protests reach 13th day; rights group says at least 51 killed in crackdown |
Protesters on Friday took to the streets of Iranian cities for a 13th day in a row, defying threats by authorities of a crackdown and despite reports that security forces had opened fire and killed demonstrators over the past day.
More than 51 protesters have been killed in 13 days of demonstrations in Iran sparked by anger against the regime and the rising cost of living, the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said Friday.
“At least 51 protesters, including nine children under the age of 18, have been killed and hundreds more injured in the first thirteen days of the new round of nationwide protests in Iran,” said the rights group, raising a previous toll of 45 issued the day earlier.
Protests are now marked by calls for the end of the Islamist clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the pro-Western shah.
Internet monitor Netblocks said authorities had now imposed a “nationwide internet shutdown” for the last 24 hours that was violating the rights of Iranians and “masking regime violence.”
Despite the crackdown in communications, thousands took to the streets in Mashhad — Iran’s second-largest city and the hometown of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — on Friday night, an eyewitness told Iran International.
10 pm in Iran
???? For the 2nd night in a row, massive crowds are marching in Mashhad—the 2nd-largest city in Iran & Khamenei’s hometown.
Witnesses say neither the beginning nor the end of the crowd is visible to the naked eye.
pic.twitter.com/mB2HGUFW2b
— Navid Mohebbi نوید محبی (@navidmohebbi) January 9, 2026
Unverified videos on social media also apparently showed large crowds protesting in the capital city of Tehran, including demonstrators chanting, “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran.” The slogan is seen as an expression of opposition to what protesters view as Iran’s government prioritizing foreign causes over domestic needs.
Tehran protesters were heard chanting "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran" during nighttime protests in Pasdaran Avenue, north of the capital, on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/tPpYTHfwXD
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 9, 2026
Tehran protesters were heard chanting "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran" during nighttime protests in Pasdaran Avenue, north of the capital, on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/tPpYTHfwXD
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 9, 2026
The........