“Video shows security forces firing tear gas at protesters as Iran crackdown kills dozens,” NBC, 1-7-26. It looks like the killing has begun. “The protests are diffuse and largely leaderless, and the president’s efforts at mediation — and the killings and arrests by security forces — haven’t persuaded the demonstrators to stay off the streets.”
“Report: US demands Venezuela stop selling oil to Iran, China, Russia,” 1-7-26. The new VP has to decide whether to sever other ties to Iran.
“Iran’s top general warns US, Israel against ‘threatening rhetoric’ and protest support,” I24, 1-7-26.
“The deep roots of Iran’s economic crisis,” Engelsberg Ideas, 1-7-26.
“Iran protests have put the country’s political system on trial,” The Conversation, 1-7-26.
11th Day. “Violent clashes reported as Iran protests spread to more areas,” BBC, 1-7-26. “The protests have so far spread to 111 cities and towns across all 31 provinces, according to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA). It has reported that at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have been killed during the unrest, and that 2,200 protesters have been arrested. … Vice-President for Executive Affairs Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah said President Masoud Pezeshkian had ordered that “no security measures” be taken against peaceful protesters. “Those who carry firearms, knives and machetes and who attack police stations and military sites are rioters, and we must distinguish protesters from rioters,” he added. (keep in mind that the Basji and police are authorized to carry bicycle chains, clubs, machetes, etc, but are not considered rioters!) The protests have been the most widespread since an uprising in 2022 sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. More than 550 people were killed and 20,000 detained in a violent crackdown on those protests by security forces, according to human rights groups.”
“Videos from multiple cities taken by protesters and passers-by showed crowds chanting “Death to the dictator,” and “Freedom, freedom, freedom,” and “Don’t be afraid, we are all together.” In many places protesters demanding the end of the nearly five-decade rule of the Islamic Republic targeted the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shouting, “Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is void.”” See “Protests Spread in Iran, and Crackdowns Escalate,” NYT, 1-7-26.