2026 Iran massacres

The 2026 Iran massacres (2025–2026 Iranian protests also referred to by some sources as the 2026 Iran uprising) began on 28 December 2025 amid a severe economic crisis marked by hyperinflation, rapid currency devaluation, and rising prices of basic goods. What initially began as economic demonstrations quickly evolved into nationwide anti-government protests calling for (Islamic fascist) oppressive regime change, political freedoms, and an end to the Islamic Republic’s system of governance. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran,” and displayed pre-1979 Iranian symbols including the Lion and Sun flag.

The protests spread to all 31 provinces of Iran, including Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Kurdistan, Baluchistan, and Azerbaijan, and involved diverse social groups such as bazaar merchants, students, women protesting compulsory hijab laws, and ethnic minorities.

The Iranian authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown that included the use of live ammunition, pellet guns, tear gas, mass arrests, internet blackouts, hospital raids, and alleged extrajudicial killings. Human rights organizations, journalists, and international media described the response as one of the most violent suppressions of protest in the Islamic Republic’s history.

It was under the darkness, to hide from the world what they have been doing.

Horrific testimonies about the Islamist regime treatment of the protesters: severe patterns of abuse; forced injections of unknown substance; prevention of medical treatment, abduction from hospitals, silent executions; cries for help heard from the morgue.

Background

Economic crisis

Iran entered late 2025 facing one of its worst economic crises in decades. Inflation exceeded 40 percent, the rial reached record lows against the U.S. dollar, and prices of food, fuel, and medicine rose sharply. Analysts attributed the crisis to a combination of mismanagement, corruption, sanctions, regional conflicts, and reduced oil revenues.

Economic grievances quickly merged with broader political demands, particularly among younger protesters and women who had been active in previous protest movements.

Nationwide protests

By early January 2026, demonstrations were reported in every province. Iran International estimated that as many as 1.5 million people participated in protests in Tehran alone on January 8, 2026.

Nighttime rooftop chants, labor strikes, university protests, and bazaar closures became widespread. Protesters called for the removal of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and rejected Iran’s foreign spending in Gaza and Lebanon.

Crackdown and human rights abuses

The Islamic oppressive regime quickly turned to Lethal force, intentional eye injuries, internet ban, intimidation, demanding high price from families of the murdered to retrieve bodies.

Use of lethal force

According to eyewitness accounts collected by international media, security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters in multiple cities. The New York Times reported that government forces used automatic weapons and sniper fire, citing Iranian health ministry admission who claimed approximately 3,000 people had been killed by mid-January 2026.

The Washington Post verified videos showing security forces firing into crowds in at least six cities across Iran.

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Staff at several hospitals in Iran have told the BBC their facilities are overwhelmed with dead or injured patients, as major anti-government protests continue. A medic at one Tehran hospital said there were "direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well", while a doctor said an eye hospital in the capital had gone into crisis mode.

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'They just kept killing': Eyewitnesses described deadly crackdown in Iran. "I saw it with my own eyes - they fired directly into lines of protesters, and people fell where they stood."

Jan 14, 2026 report: the situation in the capital and other cities was so dire that “every person is reporting the death of a family member, relative, neighbor, or friend,” stressing that “this is not an exaggeration.” Fragments of carnage in Iran emerge under blackout.

Jan 17, in The Times: "Iran report says 16500 dead in 'genocide under digital darkness'. Witnesses tell of the brutality inflicted on those taking part in anti-regime protests." Most of the dead are under the age of 30. In addition, 330,000 people were injured, with most of the fatalities occurring over a period of a few days.

Jan 19: "Vignettes of horror on Iran's streets were trickling past a state-imposed internet blackout, as eyewitnesses described to Iran International the widespread killing and blinding of protestors with live fire and the denial of medical care to survivors."

Toxic chemical substances?

"People believe that some kind of toxic chemical substance was used against the protesters," Rammell said, "causing some of the injured to die a few days later."

Hospital raids

Multiple reports documented attacks on hospitals treating injured protesters. Amnesty International and other rights groups condemned raids on medical facilities, including Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, where security forces reportedly used tear gas, assaulted staff, and arrested injured protesters. Nurse: "Iranian forces 'behaved with savage brutality' when they stormed a hospital in Ilam."

Kurdistan Human Rights Network stated that such actions violated international humanitarian law and endangered patients and medical staff.

UN: Iranian security forces carried out mass arrests during the crackdown on protests, including pursuing wounded protesters into hospitals.

Shooting the injured - "finishing the job"

Report highlights a disturbing pattern in Iran’s crackdown on protesters, where wounded individuals were not only denied medical care but were deliberately targeted and executed. Accounts from grieving families, medical workers, and human rights groups describe security forces removing injured protesters from hospitals, sometimes alive, and killing them later.

One such case involves a teenage protester named Sam, who was shot in the head and taken away from a hospital while in critical condition. His family later found his body in a morgue with a second bullet wound, indicating that the second shot was intentional and lethal.

Eye injuries

Doctors reported widespread eye injuries caused by pellet guns and projectiles. Iran International reported that over 6,000 people sought treatment for eye injuries in Tehran alone.

Mass arrests and forced confessions

Human rights organizations reported over 18,000 arrests. State television broadcast interrogations conducted by Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, prompting concerns over coerced confessions and violations of due process.

Leaders ordered their own children to kill civilians

A commander's daughter (interviewed on Manoto TV) tearfully alleged regime leaders ordered their own children to kill civilians with batons, electric batons, and guns, claiming her father ordered her to do so, and describing internal suppression and family destruction.

Pay for bullets

"Iran authorities demanding large sums for return of protesters' bodies."

Pay for bullets:

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Pressure on families. Multiple sources told Iran International that families attempting to retrieve the bodies of their relatives face intimidation and pressure from security forces, including plainclothes agents and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to these accounts, security forces have raided the homes of victims’ families and their neighbors, searched mobile phones, verbally abused family members and, in some cases, fired shots at walls during nighttime raids. Hospital conditions have also been described as critical, with families reporting security presence inside medical facilities. Sources said authorities have informed families that bodies can only be released during the early hours of the morning. Burial ceremonies, they said, are restricted to individual funerals and must be completed by 4 a.m. Several families reported being warned that if they refuse to comply with these conditions, the bodies of their relatives would be buried collectively, without their consent. Families mourn as they gather at a facility to collect the bodies of loved ones killed during protests. (January 2026) Families mourn as they gather at a facility to collect the bodies of loved ones killed during protests. (January 2026) Paying for the bullets One of the most consistent elements across testimonies received by Iran International is the demand for money in exchange for the release of bodies. According to multiple sources, families are being told they must pay for each bullet used to kill their relatives. The amounts demanded range from 700 million rials to 2.5 billion rials per bullet, depending on the case. At the current exchange rate of approximately 1,450,000 rials to the US dollar, this translates to roughly $480 to $1,720. The average monthly income of a worker in Iran is less than $100, making such payments unaffordable for many families. This practice is not new and has been used by Iranian authorities in previous crackdowns. However, they described its application during the current unrest as unusually widespread.

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Foreign mercenaries

The Islamic Republic government employed foreign proxies, mercenaries to suppress protests, especially thousands of thugs from Iraq.

Internet ban

The internet ban had three major goals: to break domestic communication, cut off international reporting and to hide its crimes.

Still, "In a twist of dystopian irony, the Islamic Republic has pulled the plug on the nation’s internet and phone lines, plunging 80 million citizens into digital darkness, only to fill the void with the voice of Tucker Carlson."

Taunting Trump

On Jan 14, the Iranian government taunted Trump "as it airs footage of Butler assassination attempt: 'This time, the bullet won't miss'."

Death toll estimates

Due to communication blackouts and restricted access, casualty figures varied widely. Estimates first ranged from several thousand to as many as 16,500 20,000–30,000 deaths during peak violence, particularly between January 8–9, 2026.

As of Jan 23, 2026 report, the TIME cites, that in just 2 nights, on Jan. 8 and 9 alone: "Iran Protest Death Toll Could Top 30,000, According to Local Health Officials."

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The Health Ministry’s two-day figure roughly aligns with a count gathered by physicians and first responders, and also shared with TIME. That surreptitious tally of deaths recorded by hospitals stood at 30,304 as of Friday, according to Dr. Amir Parasta, a German-Iranian eye surgeon who prepared a report of the data. Parasta said that number does not reflect protest-related deaths of people registered at military hospitals, whose bodies were taken directly to morgues, or that happened in locales the inquiry did not reach. Iran’s National Security Council has said protests took place in around 4,000 locations across the country.

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Les Roberts, a professor at Columbia University who specializes in the epidemiology of violent death, who traveled into war zones to research civilian death rates in Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo, said, “the 30,000 verified deaths are almost certainly an underestimate.”

Then, Jan 25, 2025 report: "More than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests, making it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history, according to documents reviewed by Iran International's Editorial Board."

With some claiming even 50,000 and some claiming toll: over 60,000,

Others put the figure at 80,000 and even higher.

Activist Sana Ebrahimi reported on X (1/23/26) that sources with contacts inside the Iranian government claimed internal regime estimates placed the number of those killed during 2026 Iran massacres at over 80,000. She cited statements attributed to Mohsen Hashemi and warned of critical shortages of medical supplies and fear of arrest preventing injured individuals from seeking care.

From ISTO:

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The Numbers They Admit, and the Numbers They Conceal. Official state-affiliated sources have acknowledged approximately 36,500 deaths. Independent field reporting, hospital testimony, and burial documentation indicate 43,000 to 80,000, with credible estimates above 100,000 once unregistered deaths are accounted for. The discrepancy exists because: Many bodies never reached hospitals Many deaths were recorded under false causes victims were buried without documentation families were threatened into silence Medical records were altered or destroyed In authoritarian systems, official numbers are not measurements; they are political tools.

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Hayvi Bouzo wrote on Feb 2, 2026:

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It was a pleasure joining @NEWSMAX and sharing some insights from activists on the ground in Iran: as many as 80,000 people may have been killed by the Islamic Republic during protests, while official figures are still around 30,000. Rapid executions are being carried out against peaceful protesters who are detained by Basij and IRGC, as these regime militias continue their brutal crackdown. I also shared my view: there can be no deal with a regime that openly chants “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” while executing its own people and exporting terrorism. We cannot allow the world to be held hostage by this regime in Iran.

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(With Iran admitting to at least 3,000 on Jan 13, and days later that "thousands" have died and claiming that dozens of its security forces died).

In a piece titled: "The death rates in Iran are vastly higher than those in Gaza — and the obvious reason why," scientist Mark Changizi compares reported death rates in Iran’s protest crackdowns with Gaza war casualties, pointing out that Iran’s killings constitute concentrated massacres of civilians, while Gaza deaths occurred over longer periods amid combat, and that claims of Israeli fake-genocide are inconsistent with the data presented.

Australian Senator, on Feb 3, 2026:

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"Since 28 December last year, the Iranian regime has responded to peaceful protests with extraordinary and horrifying violence against its own people. Tens of thousands of Iranians have been brutally murdered—reportedly, over 80,000. Many thousands more have been arrested, beaten or simply disappeared. Millions of brave Iranians are being terrorised by an evil regime for simply advocating for the basic human rights that we all take for granted here in Australia: the right to democratically elect their own government; equal rights, dignity and respect for women; individual rights and freedoms protected by the rule of law; and the right to a government which serves its people. The regime has attempted to conceal the scale of its brutality through nationwide internet and telecommunication blackouts—a tactic that is designed to weaponise fear and silence witnesses."

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"Like a game"

In a disturbing revelation, Arshia Maghsoudi, a member of Iran's Basij militia, shared on social media (before it was deleted) his chilling experience during protests. He described being given a Dragunov sniper rifle and told by his commanders to treat it "like a game" and "shoot as much as you can." Maghsoudi proudly claimed to have targeted and killed teenagers, specifically landing numerous "headshots" during the violent crackdown on protesters. The post underscores the brutal tactics employed by security forces against those opposing the regime.

International response

The protests prompted international reactions including U.S. naval deployments to the region and statements from U.S. President Donald Trump warning Tehran against further violence. Tens of thousands of Iranians and supporters protested abroad, including in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

UN Watch reported limited public condemnation from UN Special Procedures experts, less that 6%, prompting criticism from activists and commentators.

"Human rights" organizations / UN / hypocrisy

UN Watch reported that only 5 of 87 UN Special Procedures experts condemned the crackdown as of January 13, 2026, contrasting with their activity on other issues.

Activists and commentators described events as genocide or massacre, criticizing global silence (especially from "Free Palestine" advocates/propagandists) and comparing to Gaza casualty scrutiny.

Journalist:

• Condemns what he sees as the moral hypocrisy of Western celebrities (“luvvies”), activists, and institutions who loudly denounce Israel but are largely silent about violent repression and mass killings by Iran’s Islamist regime.
• Points out that atrocities the Left falsely accuses Israel of committing are in fact being carried out by Tehran against its own people.
• Criticises international bodies (UN, ICC, ICJ) and human-rights figures for inaction.
• Argues celebrity activism around Gaza is performative while Iranian protesters are ignored.
• Concludes the regime is collapsing morally and economically and calls for support of a free Iran.

Activist: The Iranian people are victims of the “Free Palestine” camp and its leaders.

Activist:

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The Islamic Republic shoots protesters in the eyes, attacks hospitals, and uses ambulances to transport security forces…all clear violations of international law. But atrocities in Iran don’t fit the narrative, so they’re ignored by the likes of social justice warriors like Greta Thunberg, Ms. Rachel, and even much of the media. In today’s media ecosystem, jihadist regimes get a pass as long as the West can still be cast as the villain.

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Activist:

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Remember, these so called “progressives” don’t actually stand against oppression...

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Organization: "In 2 years of fighting in Gaza, 30k militants and 30–40k civilians died... In 2 weeks, the Iranian regime has massacred 20k civilians."

In a clip titled 'The Iranian protests reveal the “pro-Palestine” lie,' Mark Changizi, a scientist's commentary points out that self-described "pro-Palestine" movements were never meaningfully distinct from support for Hamas or Iran, pointing to silence about Hamas abuses, romanticization of militant symbols, and indifference to Iranian repression. The Iranian protests are presented as exposing this contradiction, with the claim that these movements align with Islamist regimes out of hostility to Israel, the West, and Jews rather than concern for Arab-Palestinians or Iranians.

Darya Safai Iranian-born Belgian politician, on Jan 27, 2026:

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My speech on Sunday was in English because, through our broken hearts, we were speaking to the whole world. In the first few seconds, I asked my dearest compatriots for permission to speak to the world in English. 👇 “We are mourning—but we are stronger than ever. In just three days, we lost 60,000 beautiful young lives. Where were all the human rights activists then? Where were they when it was about Iran? I shared the video of a young girl beaten to death by the IRGC simply because she refused to wear the hijab. Where were the women’s rights activists and so-called feminists. Every day, the world loudly expressed its opinion about what it believed was happening in Gaza. Why is that same world silent today? Apparently, the brave fight of Iranians against Islamist terrorists is considered an “internal affair,” while Gaza was treated as everyone’s and every-days responsibility. We saw everything. We are mourning—but we are more determined than ever. We will not allow the ayatollahs to occupy our land anymore. In only three days, we lost 60,000 of our people. There is no turning back. We carry the responsibility of their blood. That is why this is our final battle. After this, our great nation will decide its future. The people have chosen Prince Pahlavi, chanting with the risks of their lives: A free, democratic Iran is not only good for Iranians—it is good for the Western countries An ally instead of these terrorists. We are Persian—an ancient civilization of myths and legends. For thousands of years, our ancestors gave their lives to keep Iran alive. Their blood flows in our veins. But we cannot do this alone. Even if we resist, they will kill millions of us without results. We need our allies. We need Europe. We need America. Without their alliance, the world could not defeat communism. Now it is time to defeat Islamism. Totalitarian regimes are united against Western countries and their allies. Help us become your ally. President Trump understands this potential in the Middle East. Today, we are proud to have one of his close friends among us.

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Aftermath

Arab neighbors and Israel suggested to Trump that the regime is still far from collapsing. Trump backed off a military operation. By mid-January 2026, protests had largely subsided following mass repression, arrests, and fear of further violence. Analysts cited the absence of unified opposition leadership and limited defections from security forces as contributing factors. "The ruthless slaughter of anti-government protesters in Iran appears to have stopped but the reason behind it has left citizens in a state of terror, according to sources. There were tanks out — there’s tanks everywhere."

See also

• Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini
• 1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners in Iran
• Basij
• Arshia Maghsoudi
• 2026 Iran - United States negotiations
• Niyak Ghorbani
• Islamist genocides