Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); January 4, 2026: A week after the start of the new round of nationwide protests across Iran, at least 19 protesters have been killed and hundreds more have been injured and detained. Reports indicate that the authorities have used military weapons, and in some areas heavy weaponry, to suppress protesters.
On 3 January, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, implicitly issued an order to crack down by referring to protesters as “rioters” and “agents of the enemy.”
Condemning the suppression of protests by Islamic Republic forces, warned of the possibility that the authorities may resort to even greater violence.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHRNGO said: “The people of Iran have once again come out into the streets to declare loudly that they do not want this incompetent, corrupt, and repressive dictatorship. Protest is a fundamental right of citizens; yet the Islamic Republic, as in the past, responds to the people’s peaceful protests with violence and repression, because it knows full well that accepting the people’s demands would mean the end of this system. We call on the international community to firmly support the rights and dignity of the Iranian people by recognising their legitimate demands and standing decisively against the Islamic Republic.” He added: “The use of military weapons against protesters constitutes an international crime, and all those responsible, from Ali Khamenei to those who open fire on the people, must be held to account.”
This new round of protests, which began on 28 December 2025 in Tehran’s bazaar over poor economic conditions, quickly spread to other parts of Iran, accompanied by anti-government slogans. Over the past week, protests have continued in at least 20 provinces and 50 cities across the country.
According to information collected by IHRNGO, at least 19 protesters have been killed by gunfire or other forms of violence carried out by security forces in seven provinces. The organisation is currently working to verify the additional reports of deaths.
On 3 January, several protesters in Malekshahi County in Ilam Province, were killed by live ammunition fired by security forces; informed sources reported the use of weapons including AK47 rifles. IHRNGO has confirmed information on five of the deaths and is working to verify several additional cases. There are also unconfirmed reports of DShK machine guns being used.
Hundreds have also been injured and detained across Iran. According to information obtained by IHRNGO, more than 150 arrested protesters are being held in Isfahan Central Prison alone, and some have been transferred to Ward 8. Several detainees were injured and taken to the prison infirmary. Many are reportedly very young, and some are under 18 years of age.
Three of them, Soroush Azarmehr (16), Payam Aminzadeh (17) and Saman Shahamat (16), were arrested after being wounded in the head and back.
On 3 January, about 100 detainees were transferred to Qom Central Prison, where they are all being held in a single hall. There are children under 18 amongst them and dozens of injured detainees. One protester, Soroush Javidi (17), lost consciousness due to heavy bleeding, and it is unclear whether he received appropriate treatment after being taken to the prison infirmary. Conditions for detainees in Qom Central Prison have been described as “very bad.”
On the same day, informed IHRNGO sources reported that dozens of protesters were transferred to Shiraz (Adel Abad) Central Prison. The identities of 24 protesters have been established by IHRNGO.
Furthermore, state media have started airing the “confessions" of unidentified protesters. The “confessions” of three young men from Khorramabad and two 16 and 18 year old girls from Isfahan were aired by the IRGC’s Fars News Agency. Authorities have historically aired confessions extracted under coercion and torture prior to the commencement of any legal proceedings. The “confessions” are later used as evidence in unfair trials that are marred by due process violations.