"The day started with bazaar strikes and demonstrations in Kurdish regions in western Iran and other cities. After sunset, fueled by a call from opposition leader and former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, protests erupted into the most massive public defiance since the 2022 uprising. Raw footage shows brutal crackdowns, but protesters adopted bolder tactics: direct clashes with security forces and torching police and Basij paramilitary outposts."
"Norway-based Iran Human Rights reports at least 45 protesters killed as of January 8, with over 2,000 arrests. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, in a joint January 8 statement, accused Iranian forces of "unlawful use of force and firearms and mass arbitrary arrests." Pro-Islamic republic rallies may follow Friday Prayers on January 9 with heavy state media coverage, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was expected to make a TV address."
"Authorities first throttled nationwide Internet speeds before enforcing a near-total blackout at 10:15 p.m. local time on January 8, severing phone lines too. The unrest was initially driven by economic grievances before becoming full-fledged antiestablishment protests. Videos shared on social media overnight showed that protests were held even in Tehran's affluent Saadatabat neighborhood. News from inside is trickling out slowly amid the communications blackout, but US and European leaders have ramped up their focus on the chaos."
On January 8, protesters flooded streets in major cities, small towns, and Tehran neighborhoods in the largest demonstrations to date. The day began with bazaar strikes and Kurdish-region demonstrations and escalated after sunset following a call from Reza Pahlavi. Protesters clashed directly with security forces and burned police and Basij paramilitary outposts. Norway-based Iran Human Rights reported at least 45 killed and over 2,000 arrests by January 8. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused Iranian forces of unlawful use of force and mass arbitrary arrests. Authorities throttled internet speeds then enforced a near-total blackout and severed phone lines. Pro-regime rallies and a likely address by Ayatollah Khamenei were expected on January 9.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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