Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the USA stands “ready to help” people taking part in anti-government protests that have swept across the country.
The US president wrote on his social media platform Truth: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help.”
It marked a second threat against Iran’s government by Mr Trump, who on Friday warned that the US army was “locked and loaded” if Tehran killed protesters.
Rights groups have claimed that at least 65 people have been killed so far in the demonstrations, which began over the collapse of Iran’s currency but have since turned on the government, calling for the overthrow of supreme leader Ayatollah Khameni.
Tehran responded to the growing unrest on Saturday by threatening protesters with the death penalty. It claimed 100 “armed rioters” had been arrested.
Iran’s military also warned citizens to stay vigilant against “enemy plots” after authorities blamed “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel for the unrest. On Saturday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards' intelligence wing said it had arrested a foreigner suspected of spying for Israel.
Also on Saturday, demonstrations in solidarity of the protesters place around the world, including in London where a man appeared to pull down a flag at Iran’s embassy.
Key Points
- Timeline of how unrest unfolded and grew
- Keir Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors
- One hundred people arrested over alleged clashes with security forces
- Reza Pahlavi calls for two more days of protest
- Rights group reports 65 dead after 13 days of unrest in Iran
- Iran threatens death penalty as protests continue nationwide
- Met confirms arrests at Iranian embassy in London
- Trump sends another warning to Iranian regime
Iran police warn parents to look after their children - with seven reportedly killed in protests
19:00 , James ReynoldsIran’s police force has warned parents to keep an eye on their children with violent protests ongoing, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
"Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings and their plans to cause deaths, we advise families to take care of their youth and teenagers," a statement read.
Seven children have reportedly been killed during the protests so far, according to local rights groups.
Trump: 'Iran is looking at freedom', 'US stands ready to help'
18:50 , Dan HaygarthIn the last half hour, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
President Trump once again warned the United States could intervene, having yesterday said the US will “start shooting” if demonstrators in Iran are targeted by government forces.
President of European Commission says Europe stands with protesters
18:14 , Dan HaygarthTehran’s streets, and cities around the world, echo with the footsteps of Iranian women and men demanding freedom.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 10, 2026
Freedom to speak, to gather, to travel and above all to live freely.
Europe stands fully behind them.
We unequivocally condemn the violent repression of these…
Iranian intelligence arrests 'Israeli spy'
17:50 , James ReynoldsIran's Revolutionary Guards' intelligence wing says it has arrested a foreigner suspected of spying for Israel, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Authorities accuse the US and Israel of fomenting the recent unrest.
Met confirms arrests at Iranian embassy in London
17:39 , James ReynoldsThe Met has just shared that the protest outside the Iranian embassy in London is still ongoing and being policed.
Two arrests have been made, they said, including one for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker, and one for aggravated trespass.
Officers are also seeking another individual for trespass, the service said.
“We saw no serious disorder and officers will remain in the area to ensure the continued security of the Embassy.”
Europe stands with protesters, says Von der Leyen
17:37 , James ReynoldsEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that Europe was fully behind the protesters in comments this afternoon.
“Tehran’s streets, and cities around the world, echo with the footsteps of Iranian women and men demanding freedom. Freedom to speak, to gather, to travel and above all to live freely. Europe stands fully behind them,” she wrote.
She also called for the immediate release of imprisoned demonstrators, the restoration of internet access, and the restoration of fundamental rights in Iran.
Watch: Protesters return to Iran streets in nationwide uprising
17:06 , James ReynoldsIran 'repelling Kurdish dissidents entering from Iraq'
16:32 , James ReynoldsThe semi-official Mehr news agency is reporting that Iranian security officials have stopped Kurdish dissidents from entering the country via Iraq.
Protester scales Iranian embassy in London
15:42 , James ReynoldsA protester has climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London.
The Metropolitan Police said additional officers have been sent to the scene in Kensington.
Protests in Iran began on December 28 and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years.
ICYMI: Trump doubles down on threats against regime
15:33 , James ReynoldsHospitals across Iran overwhelmed by casualties
14:23 , James ReynoldsA doctor and a medic in Iran said that their hospitals have been inundated with patients as the protests continue to swell.
One doctor told the BBC that an eye hospital in Tehran was in ‘crisis mode’ due to the number of injuries they were treating.
A health worker at another hospital in the capital said patients were arriving with gunshot wounds.
A medic at another hospital, in Shiraz, said there were not enough surgeons to treat the number of patients coming in.
Government factions considering deposing Ayatollah, says expert
14:00 , James ReynoldsSome factions within the Iranian government are said to be weighing deposing the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Negin Shiraghaei, an Iranian activist, told Sky News: “This is the moment that a lot of my sources ... who are actually closer to the Iranian government are for the first time talking about the supreme leader needing to go.”
She said succession lobbying with the US had already started, citing unnamed sources.
Iranian pop icon Googoosh shares hopes for regime change
13:30 , James ReynoldsIranian singer Googoosh has said she is “waiting for a change of regime to happen soon”, as the country faces renewed nationwide protests.
“I am living day and night with a mix of anxiety and hope,” the veteran pop icon said in an interview with The Times published on Friday.
“Waiting for a change of regime to happen soon. The people are being brutally suppressed. The killing has not stopped. The situation can no longer wait.”
Read the full story:
Iranian pop icon Googoosh says she is ‘waiting for a change of regime to happen soon’
A timeline of how unrest unfolded and grew
13:00 , James ReynoldsDec. 28: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to a new record low
Dec. 29: The central bank head resigns as the protests spread and police fire tear gas at protesters
Dec. 30: President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to work with business leaders to hear their demands as university campuses join protests
Dec. 31: Protests in Fasa allegedly turn violent after crowds break into the governor’s office
Jan. 1: The protests' first fatalities are officially reported, with authorities saying at least seven people have been killed
Jan. 2: Trump threatens Iran if it kills peaceful protesters
Jan. 3: Khamenei greenlights security forces in crackdown. Protests reach 170 locations with 15 dead
Jan. 8: The government blocks the internet after Reza Pahlavi calls on citizens to act
Jan. 9: Iran ramps up threats of punishment with 65 reported killed and 2,300 detained.
Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors
12:29 , James ReynoldsSir Keir Starmer denounced the killing of protesters in Iran, calling on Tehran to "exercise restraint" amid a crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations.
In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister said he was “deeply concerned about reports of violence by Iranian security forces” and “strongly” condemned the killing of protesters.
Read the full story:
Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors amid crackdown on demonstrations
Marco Rubio backs protesters against regime
12:00 , James ReynoldsUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio also gave his backing to the protesters on Saturday.
"The United States supports the brave people of Iran," Rubio posted on X as the regime hit out at Donald Trump for allegedly interfering.
Trump has threatened Iran with force if it kills protesters rallying against the government.
"You better not start shooting because we'll start shooting too,” the president said on Friday.
Who is Iran’s supreme leader?
11:30 , James ReynoldsAyatollah Ali Khamenei has spent more than three decades consolidating power by crushing internal threats.
He now faces his most significant challenge yet as widespread protests grip the nation.
But who is the supreme leader of Iran clinging onto power against a rising tide of dissent?
One hundred people arrested over alleged clashes with security forces - local media
11:20 , James ReynoldsOne hundred people have reportedly been arrested in Baharestan, a county in Tehran province, amid the widening government crackdown.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on the arrests this morning, citing the local governor.
The detainees were accused of disrupting public order and using firearms and other weapons against security forces and law enforcement, the report said.
The agency is linked to the regime’s Revolutionary Guards. The report comes as Iran tries to deter civilians from joining demonstrations with the protests approaching their third week.
How many people have been killed?
11:00 , James ReynoldsHRANA, an NGO advocating for rights in Iran, reported on Friday that 65 people have been killed in the last two weeks of protest.
This figure included:
- 50 protesting citizens
- 14 law enforcement and security forces
- 1 government-affiliated citizen
Of the 50, seven were identified as children under the age of 18.
The provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Ilam, Kermanshah and Fars were worst affected, with 38 people killed in total.
HRANA notes that the internet blackout has made it impossible to establish an exact death toll definitively. The 65 come from verified reports over the past 13 days.
The Independent View: Regime change in Iran would be welcome
10:31 , James ReynoldsEditorial: Iran’s unremittingly harsh leadership faces one of the most serious challenges to its theocratic rule since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979.
After weeks of nationwide protests, the ayatollahs’ spell could soon be broken – which is how counter-revolutions begin, and governments fall:
Reza Pahlavi calls for two more days of protest
10:27 , James ReynoldsIran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi is calling for another two days of protest, with the authorities desperately trying to block opposition voices from mobilising support.
This morning he posted on social media to urge Iranians to “come to the streets" today and tomorrow from 6pm.
He also called on workers to strike nationwide.
It’s now been 36 hours since the internet blackout was put in place, limiting the reach of his message.
Watch: Trump warns Iran 'we’re going to hit very hard’ if protesters are targeted
10:00 , James ReynoldsArmy warns protestors against damaging public property
09:24 , James ReynoldsIran's army is insisting it will safeguard the country's national interests, strategic infrastructure and public property with widespread protests still ongoing.
It also urged citizens to be vigilant to thwart what it called "the enemy's plots" on Saturday.
What is happening in Iran?
09:00 , Shahana YasminBuildings, buses and shops have been burned to the ground turning Iran’s capital Tehran into a “war zone” as protests break out across the country demanding the fall of the country’s supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khameini.
At least 65 people have been killed in violent clashes with police, according to human rights groups.
This unrest follows a tumultuous period for Tehran, which is still recovering from a 12-day conflict in June, initiated by Israel, that saw US forces bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government.
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests
Iran internet blackout enters second day
08:45 , Shahana YasminInternet monitoring group NetBlocks said Iran’s nationwide internet blackout remained in place on Saturday morning, 36 hours after it was imposed.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, NetBlocks said connectivity restrictions were severely limiting Iranians’ ability to check on the safety of friends and loved ones as the country woke up to continued unrest.
“It’s now 8:00 am in Iran where the sun is rising after another night of protests met with repression,” the group said, adding that network data showed the blackout was still firmly in effect.
⚠️ Update: It's now 8:00 am in #Iran where the sun is rising after another night of protests met with repression; metrics show the nationwide internet blackout remains in place at 36 hours, severely limiting Iranians' ability to check on the safety of friends and loved ones 📵 pic.twitter.com/OYqJLsxKUK
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 10, 2026
The prolonged shutdown has made independent verification of events on the ground increasingly difficult as protests continue across the country.
Rights group reports 65 dead after 13 days of unrest in Iran
08:30 , Shahana YasminThe death toll from protests in Iran has risen to 65, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
In a report published on Saturday, the US-based group said demonstrations have continued for 13 consecutive days, taking place in 512 locations across 180 cities in all 31 provinces.
HRANA said those killed include 50 protesters, 14 law enforcement and security personnel, and one government-affiliated civilian.
At least 2,311 people have been detained, with dozens more injured.
The group said many of the injuries were caused by pellet shots and plastic bullets.
Iranian authorities have not issued official figures or commented on the reported deaths or injuries.
Iran threatens death penalty as protests continue nationwide
08:15 , Shahana YasminIranian authorities have intensified a crackdown on protests across the country, threatening participants with the death penalty and maintaining a nationwide internet blackout ahead of expected further unrest.
A Tehran prosecutor later warned that those accused of damaging public property during the unrest could face the death penalty, according to a Bloomberg report.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a statement calling the situation “unacceptable” and said it reserved the right to avenge what it described as “terrorist incidents”.
This comes as US president Donald Trump warned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the US will “start shooting” if demonstrators in Iran are targeted by government forces as nationwide protests demanding regime change continued into their 13th day.
Exiled prince Reza Pahlavi calls for nationwide strikes and expanded street protests
08:00 , Shahana YasminReza Pahlavi has called on Iranians to escalate protests against the Islamic Republic, urging nationwide strikes and a larger street presence on Saturday.
In a social media post on X, he addressed his “dear compatriots,” and wrote that their actions were a “resounding response to the threats of the treacherous and criminal leader of the Islamic Republic”.
هممیهنان عزیزم،
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 10, 2026
شما با شجاعت و ایستادگی خود، تحسین جهانیان را برانگیختهاید. حضور دگرباره و پرشکوهتان در خیابانهای سراسر ایران در شامگاه جمعه، پاسخی دندانشکن به تهدیدهای رهبر خائن و جنایتکار جمهوری اسلامی بود. یقین دارم که او این تصاویر را از مخفیگاهش دیده و از وحشت لرزیده… pic.twitter.com/MaQDiwkXRL
He called on workers in key sectors, including transport, oil, gas, and energy, to begin a nationwide strike aimed at cutting off the state’s financial lifelines.
“Our goal is no longer merely to come to the streets; the goal is to prepare for seizing the centers of cities and holding them,” he wrote, according to an online translation of his original Arabic text.
“To achieve this goal, move toward the more central parts of the cities from different routes as much as possible and connect separate crowds. At the same time, prepare now to stay in the streets and gather the necessary supplies.”
He said he was preparing to return to Iran, adding that he believed change was “very near”.
I had to flee Iran – but those I left behind have a fighting chance of freedom
07:45 , Shahana YasminAs I watch protesters risk everything by taking to the streets, I believe the regime is collapsing under the weight of its own cruelty – but my brave countryfolk urgently need the UK’s support, says British-Iranian dissident Vahid Beheshti
I had to flee Iran – but those I left behind have a fighting chance of freedom
Trump warns Iran 'we’ll start shooting’ if protesters are targeted
07:30 , Shahana YasminDonald Trump warned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the US will “start shooting” if demonstrators in Iran are targeted by government forces.
Trump said that the head of the Islamic Republic is “looking to go someplace” to escape, adding that Iran is on the “verge of collapse”.
“Nobody’s ever seen anything like what’s happening right now, but I have put Iran on notice that if they start shooting at them – these people are totally unarmed people, and they love their country,” he said in an interview with Sean Hannity for Fox News.
“They want something to happen. Look at their country. They’ve gone back 150 years. But I’ve warned them that if they do anything bad to these people, we’re going to hit them very hard. I’ve said it very loud and very clear, that’s what we’re going to do.”
He later warned Iran’s leaders that they “better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too”.
Pictured: Internet blackout drags on as Iran protests
07:17 , Shahana Yasmin
This Iranian uprising could be as pivotal as the French Revolution
06:30 , Shahana YasminIran’s Islamic regime looks to be tottering. In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to express their anger at worsening economic conditions, sparked by international sanctions that have seen their currency collapse and the cost of basic goods shoot up.
At least 38 protesters demanding regime change have been killed so far in violent clashes with police, and 2,200 arrested. Faced with what is fast becoming one of the biggest challenges ever to Iran and its clerical leadership, the ayatollahs – in a rare moment of weakness – pulled the plug on the internet, as government buildings in Tehran were set on fire.
Of course, the Islamic Republic has survived protest waves in the past. In 2009, allegations of election fraud sparked massive street protests and a hugely brutal response by Ayatollah Khamenei’s security forces. In 2022, more than 500 people were reportedly killed in protests after the death in police custody of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for refusing to wear the obligatory headscarf.
But this time, it feels different, writes Mark Almond
This Iranian uprising could be as pivotal as the French Revolution
Marco Rubio voices support for Iran protesters
06:15 , Shahana YasminUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed support for protesters in Iran, amid a wave of nationwide protests over worsening economic conditions.
“The United States supports the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The United States supports the brave people of Iran
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 10, 2026
Protests that began on 28 December have spread across multiple cities, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the clerical leadership and calling for political change.
Authorities have responded with force in some areas and imposed a nationwide internet and telephone blackout, limiting communication and independent reporting on events inside the country.
Regime change in Iran would be welcome
06:00 , Shahana YasminIran’s unremittingly harsh leadership faces one of the most serious challenges to its theocratic rule since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979. After weeks of nationwide protests, the ayatollahs’ spell could soon be broken – which is how counter-revolutions begin, and governments fall
Rights groups say Iran’s internet blackout hides abuses
05:50 , Shahana YasminSeveral rights and press freedom organisations have condemned Iran’s ongoing nationwide internet blackout amid protests, saying it violates fundamental rights and hinders independent reporting.
Rebecca White, a researcher at Amnesty’s Security Lab, said: “The Iranian authorities have once again deliberately blocked internet access inside Iran to hide the true extent of the grave human rights violations and crimes under international law they are carrying out..This blanket internet shutdown not only hides human rights violations but amounts to a serious human rights violation in itself.”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed “deep concern” for Iranian journalists, citing the nationwide blackout, threats against reporters and recent arrests.
“This increasingly intimidating climate cannot be tolerated,” Jonathan Dagher, head of RSF’s Middle East desk said, calling for the immediate restoration of telecommunications and the release of 24 detained journalists.
What you need to know about the protests in Iran
05:00 , Shahana YasminBuildings, buses, and shops have been burned to the ground turning Iran’s capital Tehran into a “war zone” as protests break out across the country demanding the fall of the country’s supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khameini.
This unrest follows a tumultuous period for Tehran, which is still recovering from a 12-day conflict in June, initiated by Israel, that saw US forces bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government.
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests
X appears to switch Iran flag emoji to pre-revolution design
04:45 , Shahana YasminX appears to have changed Iran’s flag emoji to a pre-revolution version, replacing the current Islamic Republic emblem with the former lion-and-sun symbol.
The change follows a post by X’s head of product Nikita Bier, who said on Thursday he was working on the update after a user request. By Friday evening, the change appeared to be live, with some official Iranian government accounts, including the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, displaying the old flag as a result.
Give me a few hours
— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) January 9, 2026
The pre-1979 flag features green, white, and red horizontal stripes with a lion-and-sun emblem, popular among sections of the Iranian diaspora opposed to clerical rule.
After the 1979 revolution, Iran replaced the symbol with a new coat of arms and added the words “Allahu Akbar” inscription to the flag.
Who is Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
04:30 , Shahana YasminAyatollah Ali Khamenei has been Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, making him the most powerful figure in the Islamic Republic. He succeeded Ruhollah Khomeini amid doubts about his religious standing and authority.
Over more than three decades, he has reshaped the Islamic Republic by shifting power away from elected institutions and towards unelected bodies controlled by loyal clerics, effectively placing key decision-making authority in the office of the Supreme Leader.
He oversaw the rise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps into the dominant force in Iran’s security, politics and economy, granting it broad autonomy in exchange for loyalty.
Khamenei has repeatedly relied on the Guard and other security agencies to suppress challenges to his rule, including major protest movements in 2009, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Trump saying US watching "pretty incredible" Iran protests "very closely"
04:15 , Shahana Yasmin'Protests may calm down, but won't be extinguished'
04:00 , James ReynoldsCommenting on the situation in Iran, Professor Maziyar Ghiabi, Director of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies at the University of Exeter, said:
“The protestors are maintaining their momentum in what is the largest nationwide event of the past decade. Iranian state officials have been uncompromising.
“It is likely the protests will calm down. But given the social and economic conditions, and the buildup of anger, it is hard to think that state force and repression would extinguish them.”
A timeline of how the protests in Iran unfolded and grew
03:45 , Shahana YasminDemonstrations broke out in Iran on 28 December and have spread nationwide as protesters vent their increasing discontent over the Islamic Republic's faltering economy and the collapse of its currency.
While the initial focus had been on issues like spikes in the prices of food staples and the country's staggering annual inflation rate, protesters have now begun chanting anti-government statements as well.
Internet blackout continues as unrest spreads across Iran
03:30 , Shahana YasminIran’s near-total internet blackout continued as protests spread across cities, sharply limiting the flow of information out of the country.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said internet connectivity remained cut across multiple service providers nationwide.
⚠️ Update: It has now been 24 hours since #Iran implemented a nationwide internet shutdown, with connectivity flatlining at 1% of ordinary levels. The ongoing digital blackout violates the fundamental rights and liberties of Iranians while masking regime violence ⏱ pic.twitter.com/wTIQTZou2x
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 9, 2026
Iran’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology said the shutdown was ordered “by the competent security authorities under the prevailing circumstances of the country”.
The blackout has also disrupted travel links. At least 17 flights between Dubai and Iran were cancelled, according to Dubai Airport’s website.
Iran’s Supreme Leader threatens crackdown as protests escalate
03:15 , Shahana YasminAyatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened that Iranian authorities will not back down in the face of a rapidly growing protest movement.
In his first public remarks since protests began on 28 December, Khamenei described demonstrators as “vandals” and “saboteurs”, accusing them of acting on behalf of foreign powers.
“The Islamic Republic came to power through the blood of hundreds of thousands of honourable people. It will not back down in the face of vandals,” he said
He claimed that protesters were “ruining their own streets” to please foreign leaders, including former US president Donald Trump, who has threatened American intervention if protesters are killed.
Pictured: Demonstrators march on Tehran
03:00 , James Reynolds
Recap: Trump says Ayatollah looking to flee Iran amid unrest
02:00 , James ReynoldsThe Iranian regime is under increasing pressure as nationwide protests gain momentum.
At least 40 protesters and several police officers have been killed in clashes, according to rights groups and local media, with 2,200 arrests and counting.
The government switched off the internet to most of the country as opposition groups tried to rally action against the regime.
Maira Butt has the full story:
Trump says Ayatollah will flee Iran as US warns it will ‘hit hard’ if people killed
Germany's Merz condemns killing of protestors
01:02 , James ReynoldsGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern about the reports of violence by Iranian security forces on Friday.
Writing on X, he strongly condemned the killing of protestors and shared the joint stance of Germany, France and Britain in urging the Iranian authorities to refrain from violence.
Watch: Trump saying US watching pretty incredible Iran protests very closely
00:30 , James ReynoldsRecap: Risk of foreign intervention 'very low' says Iran's foreign minister
Friday 9 January 2026 23:53 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister said earlier on Friday that the risk of foreign intervention is “very low” as US President Donald Trump warned it would hit Iran “hard” if it attacked protesters amid political unrest across the country.
Trump added that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be fleeing the country with reports that he could escape to Russia, sparking speculation that the US could intervene.
How many people have been killed amid the unrest?
Friday 9 January 2026 23:01 , James ReynoldsIranian rights group HRANA said on Friday it had documented the deaths of at least 62 people.
That figure included 14 security personnel and 48 protesters, since demonstrations began on December 28.
Iranian media reported that a number of children were among the casualties.
Iran pins violence on US and Israel
Friday 9 January 2026 22:30 , James ReynoldsIran’s UN ambassador told the security council on Friday that the US was to blame for the “transformation of peaceful protests into violent, subversive acts and widespread vandalism”.
Amir Saeid Iravani wrote in a letter that Iran condemns “the ongoing, unlawful, and irresponsible conduct of the United States of America, in coordination with the Israeli regime, in interfering in Iran’s internal affairs through threats, incitement, and the deliberate encouragement of instability and violence.”
ICYMI: Punishment for rioters will be 'decisive, maximal' and 'without legal leniency', says head of judiciary in Iran
Friday 9 January 2026 22:04 , James ReynoldsIran’s judiciary promised severe punishment for protesters as demonstrations entered their 14th day.
Judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei was quoted by state media in saying that the punishment of rioters would be “decisive, maximal, and without legal leniency”.
Iranian state media cited the Tehran prosecutor in saying those committing sabotage, burning public property or involved in armed clashes with security forces would face the death penalty.
US ready to 'hit Iran where it hurts', says Trump
Friday 9 January 2026 21:51 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump on Friday threatened to “hit Iran where it hurts” as he doubled down on threats against the regime over its handling of the ongoing protests.
“We’re watching the situation very carefully,” he told reporters at the White House. “I've made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved.”
Dozens of people have already been killed in clashes over the last two weeks.
“That doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts,” Trump added, noting: “We don't want that to happen.”
“They've done a bad job,” he said of the regime. “They've treated their people very badly, and now they're being paid back. So let's see what happens. We're watching it. We're watching it very closely.”
Pahlavi not trying to restore the monarchy, says supporter
Friday 9 January 2026 21:01 , James ReynoldsA supporter of Reza Pahlavi who has worked on his return to Iran insists that the exiled crown prince is not looking to restore the monarchy with his support for the ongoing protests.
Cameron Khansarinia, vice president of the US-based National Union for Democracy in Iran, told the BBC’s Newshour that Pahlavi backs free elections to let the people "decide whether they want to return to constitutional monarchy or they want a republic".
Watch: Protests gain momentum across Iran after two weeks of pressure
Friday 9 January 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsBritain, France and Germany condemn killings of protestors
Friday 9 January 2026 19:44 , James ReynoldsFrench, British and German leaders have condemned the killing of protesters in Iran.
A joint statement urged the authorities to refrain from violence and allow free expression.
“We urge the Iranian authorities to exercise restraint, to refrain from violence, and to uphold the fundamental rights of Iran’s citizens,” they said.
Background: US and Israel weighing fresh strikes on Iran
Friday 9 January 2026 19:03 , James ReynoldsIran faces renewed pressure to maintain order after US president Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed fresh strikes at the end of December.
The US and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran’s military and its nuclear installations in June. The US concluded early on that it had likely only set back efforts by a matter of months.
Trump said following the 29 December meeting with Netanyahu that he wanted to “eradicate” Iran’s nuclear programme.
Netanyahu then said on Monday: “We will not allow Iran to restore its ballistic missile industry, and certainly we will not allow it renew the nuclear programme that we significantly damaged.”
He called the recent protests “a decisive moment, in which the Iranian people take their futures into their hands”.
Recap: Trump says Ayatollah looking to flee Iran amid unrest
Friday 9 January 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsIf you’re just tuning in, the Iranian regime is under increasing pressure as nationwide protests gain momentum.
At least 40 protesters and several police officers have been killed in clashes, according to rights groups and local media, with 2,200 arrests and counting.
The government switched off the internet to most of the country as opposition groups tried to rally action against the regime.
Maira Butt has the full story:
Trump says Ayatollah will flee Iran as US warns it will ‘hit hard’ if people killed
Recap: Trump yet to endorse Pahlavi
Friday 9 January 2026 16:52 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump has been slow to endorse exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, despite supporting the protestors against the regime.
In comments to podcaster Hugh Hewitt, Trump indicated he would not be meeting with Pahlavi in the foreseeable future.
“I’ve watched him, and he seems like a nice person, but I’m not sure that it would be appropriate at this point to do that,” he said.
“I think that we should let everybody go out there and we see who emerges,” he added.
Iran's blackout passes 24 hour mark
Friday 9 January 2026 16:48 , James ReynoldsIt has now been 24 hours since Iran implemented its nationwide internet shutdown, according to tracking agency Netblocks.
Reza Pahlavi calls for Trump's support against Iranian regime
Friday 9 January 2026 16:32 , James ReynoldsIran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has called for the “support and action” of Donald Trump against the regime, after the US president threatened Iran with “hell” if demonstrators are killed.
“You have proven and I know you are a man of peace and a man of your word,” Pahlavi wrote in a post on social media on Friday afternoon, adding: “Please be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran.”
Pahlavi said it was Trump’s “threat to this criminal regime” that has “kept the regime’s thugs at bay” so far. He claimed the Ayatollah “wants to use this blackout to murder these young heroes”.
Iran warns US against intervention
Friday 9 January 2026 15:59 , James ReynoldsIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said today that the US and Israel were “directly intervening” in the major protests sweeping the nation, without providing evidence.
Araghchi claimed that they “have plans and want to interfere, and they are trying to take these protests and uprisings to the moment of violence”.
He also assessed the chance of foreign military intervention in Iran was "very low".
He said the foreign minister of Oman, which has often interceded in negotiations between Iran and the West, would visit on Saturday.
The comments came Araghchi said yesterday that Iran does “not seek war, but we are fully prepared for it”, offering openness to negotiations with the US.
Donald Trump last week said he would come to the aid of demonstrators if Iran kills protestors.
Is Iran facing another revolution? Expert says regime 'ossified' and unable to remedy concerns of protestors as demos gain momentum
Friday 9 January 2026 15:29 , James ReynoldsHolly Dagres, senior fellow at The Washington Institute, and curator of The Iranist newsletter, tells The Independent’s Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew:
“The Islamic Republic has been in a state of paralysis since October 7, exacerbated by the 12-day war. The clerical establishment is ossified in its ways and unable to seriously address the systemic problems Iranians have been protesting for years.
“Recognising that reform is dead and conditions on the ground are worsening, Iranians have increasingly taken to the streets to demand the ouster of the Islamic Republic. We haven’t seen protests light up all thirty-one provinces with the exception of 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom but the numbers from Thursday appear to be the largest protests we’ve witnessed in Iran.
“[Exiled prince, Reza] Pahlavi certainly has some support—just listen to the chants. This didn’t come out of nowhere; there’s been nostalgia for pre-1979 Iran for a long time, and Pahlavi has an institutional legacy.”
What do we know about the internet blackout in Iran?
Friday 9 January 2026 15:04 , James ReynoldsIran was largely cut off from the outside world on Friday after authorities blacked out the internet to curb growing unrest.
Verified video already shared widely online has shown protests spreading to the majority of Iran’s provinces as the demonstrations gain momentum and threaten the regime.
There was also footage of past protests in other countries being falsely presented as Iran last night.
Protests have been spurred on by opposition factions online, including exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who wrote on social media on Friday: "The eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets."
The internet blackout has sharply reduced the amount of information flowing out of the country. Phone calls into Iran were not getting through.
The Times has reported that activists have used Elon Musk’s Starlink devices to post content online. It also said that some influencers have had their Instagram posts taken down “due to criminal activity”.
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Punishment for rioters will be 'decisive, maximal' and 'without legal leniency', says head of judiciary in Iran
Friday 9 January 2026 14:45 , Maira ButtIran’s judiciary has promised severe punishment for protesters as demonstrations entered their 14th day.
Judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei was quoted by state media saying that the punishment of rioters would be “decisive, maximal, and without legal leniency”.
It comes as the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused demonstrators of being “terrorist agents” working for the US and Israel.
Several police officers killed in clashes
Friday 9 January 2026 14:31 , Maira ButtSeveral people officers have been killed overnight as protests in Iran have become deadly clashes, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
At least 38 demonstrators are reported to have died and at least 2,200 people arrested as they demand that the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei steps down.
Iranian state TV shows burning buildings and vehicles.
EU's Kallas says violence against protesters 'unacceptable'
Friday 9 January 2026 14:27 , Maira ButtThe European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy warned on Friday that violent crackdowns on Iran’s protesters are “unacceptable”.
“The Iranian people are fighting for their future. By ignoring their rightful demands, the regime shows its true colours,” Kaja Kallas wrote in a post on X/Twitter.
“Images from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and heavy-handed response by the security forces. Any violence against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable.
“Shutting down the internet while violently suppressing protests exposes a regime afraid of its own people.”
UK, France and Germany agree that 'close coordination' is required
Friday 9 January 2026 14:25 , Millie CookeThe leaders of the UK, France and Germany have agreed that "close coordination" is required in the coming weeks as events evolve in Iran.
After Sir Keir Starmer spoke with German chancellor Friedrich Merz and French president Emmanuel Macron on the phone on Friday morning, a Downing Street spokesperson said the leaders "agreed on the need for close coordination as events evolved".
The spokesperson also said Sir Keir "reiterated his support for those who exercised their right to peaceful protest".
Risk of foreign intervention 'very low' says Iran's foreign minister
Friday 9 January 2026 14:05 , Maira ButtIran’s foreign minister has said that the risk of foreign intervention is “very low” as US President Donald Trump warned it would hit Iran “hard” if it attacked protesters amid political unrest across the country.
Trump added that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be fleeing the country with reports that he could escape to Russia, sparking speculation that the US could intervene.
Iranian state TV shows burning vehicles amid protests
Friday 9 January 2026 13:45 , Maira Butt
Full story: What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after widespread anti-regime protests
Friday 9 January 2026 13:25 , Maira ButtBuildings, buses and shops have been burned to the ground turning Iran’s capital Tehran into a “war zone” as protests break out across the country demanding the fall of the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini.
At least 38 people have been killed in violent clashes with police and 2,200 arrested, according to human rights groups.
This unrest follows a tumultuous period for Tehran, which is still recovering from a 12-day conflict in June, initiated by Israel, that saw US forces bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
“This looks like a war zone – all the shops have been destroyed,” said an Iranian journalist in front of the fires on Shariati Street in the Caspian Sea port of Rasht.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government.
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests
