Month: January 2026

“[M]any of the victims’ injuries were so severe they could not be identified.”  This was due to sniper shots to the head and machine gun fire also directed at the upper torso and head.  And to beatings.  See “Photos leaked to BBC show faces of hundreds killed in Iran’s brutal protest crackdown,” BBC, 1-21-26.

“Iran’s Protests Have Been Completely Squashed, Government Says,” NYT, 1-21-26.

Next to the Abraham Accords, this type of movement is not what the “un”normal Regime supports, group movement toward peace in the Middle East.  It will be interesting to see what public statement Iran makes.  “8 Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, announce joint decision to join Board of Peace,” Times of Israel, 1-21-26.

“Iran vows mass retaliation to attack, taunts Europe over US Greenland push,” Times of Israel, 1-21-26.

There are several casualty numbers, maybe from a dozen sources, with the Regime’s 3,117 being the lowest (no surprise), to perhaps 25,000 killed.  And well over a quarter million injured, astounding.  “Iran offers first government-issued death toll from protest crackdown, one far lower than activists’ number,” NBC, 1-21-26.

Not like SA to complain before.  They are feeling the heat of how the ISI treats its people who protest.  “South Africa raised concerns with China over Iran’s participation in naval drills,” AA, 1-21-26.

“Media blackout in Iran: at least one media outlet suspended, silence from the country’s other independent newsrooms,” Reporters Without Borders, 1-21-26.

“Iran accused of sex assaults on teenage prisoners, while families charged to recover remains of loved ones,” Fox, 1-21-26.

“Iran shuts 40,000 Starlink stations to block internet access,” MEMO, 1-21-26.

“Witkoff: US Not Currently Negotiating With Iran,” RFE/RL 1-21-26.

“An American Aircraft Carrier Is Still on the Way to Iran,” National Interest, 1-21-26.

“Iran Is Still Offline. Will Access To The Global Internet Ever Be Restored?,” RFE/RL, 1-20-26.  “Iranians are living through one of the longest Internet shutdowns in history, with the authorities imposing a digital blackout since launching a bloody crackdown on antiestablishment protesters on January 8. … Filterbaan, an Iranian digital rights organization affiliated with the Texas-based Miaan Group, says the Islamic republic’s Internet policy has crossed into “absolute blockage,” with disconnection now the default and access granted only selectively. … A government official vowed on January 19 that Internet access would return to “normal” by the end of the week. But the news website IranWire reported on January 15 that government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani told journalists that international web access would not be available until at least the Persian New Year in March.”  Sound like it would be advisable for the U.S., the UN, anything that starts with the letter U, or anyone to demand that Iran allow the internet freely or there is a consequence.

Just as the Regime did not learn (and change) from the disastrous 12-day June War, the Regime is not learning from the latest serious civil unrest.  Instead it doubles down.  “Iran ‘just getting started’ on punishing ‘rioters’ arrested during protests,” Al Jazeera, 1-20-26.

“Iranian parliament warns of jihad if Supreme Leader is attacked, ISNA,” Reuters, 1-20-26.  Wait a minute.  Didn’t the Supreme Leader y say Jihad is not part of the Five Pillars?

And in response.  “Trump says Iran would be ‘wiped the off face of this earth’ if something happens to him,” The Hill, 1-20-26.

“Khamenei has systematically eliminated or neutralized every figure within the system who showed signs of independent authority or reformist ambition.”  It just occurred to me, the following persons are ending their life in hiding in tunnels—Sinwar, Nasrallah, and Khamenei.  Bad way to go, and a sign of poor leadership.  See “Iran’s coming reckoning: Regime collapse is likely — democracy is not,” Middle East Institute, 1-20-26.

Not sure why the WSJ would volunteer its pages for the ISI FM who supported killing protesters (he says they are rioters; regardless their sentence was self-selected).  For “waging war against Allah” the punishment the government meted out was death.  See “Iran’s Government Defends Its Crackdown,” WSJ, 1-20-26.  Quote of the Day—Iran FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, “Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack.”

“Cracks Are Emerging in Iran’s Once-Resilient Oil Sector,” RFE/RL, OilPrice.com, 1-20-26.

“Sudden deadly fusillade on Iran protesters culminated in Rasht bazaar inferno,” Iran International, 1-20-26.

“Trump Seeks ‘Decisive’ Options for Iran as Assets Move Into Middle East,” WSJ, 1-20-26.

“Iran’s president warns US attack on supreme leader would mean ‘full-scale war’,” Times of Israel, 1-19-26.  “A Sunday Times report, based on information from doctors in Iran, said more than 16,500 people were killed and more than 330,000 injured during the unrest. An Iranian official said authorities had verified at least 5,000 people had been killed in protests, including about 500 security personnel. … The first high-level meeting on a potential military response was chaired by US Vice President JD Vance on January 9, reported Axios. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted top Trump envoy Steve Witkoff that same weekend to open a de-escalation channel. Trump chaired his first meeting on the protests on January 13, and was presented with several options for strikes, including from US naval ships and submarines. According to Axios, Trump chose his favorite option and ordered preparations to be completed. According to a US official, a strike plan was ready that day but not approved.”

“Can the US end the communication blackout in Iran?,” ABC, 1-19-26.  “Activists are lobbying for direct-to-cell service in Iran.”

“Hackers target Iran state TV satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince,” AP 1-19-26.

“Iran Mulls Return Of Internet As Extent Of Deadly Crackdown Slowly Leaks Out,” RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, 1-19-26.

“Why mass protest alone has not toppled Iran’s rulers,” Iran International, 1-19-26

An important piece.  Let’s shut down the financial lifeline.  “In a report last October, the Treasury Department gave an address for the problem, stating that “companies based in the U.A.E. (99 percent of which were located in the Emirate of Dubai) transacted the highest volume of [Iran’s] potential shadow banking funds . . . and received more funds than any other jurisdiction.” This system keeps the Iranian regime alive with Dubai serving as its economic lung. … How much money is involved? United Against Nuclear Iran, the leading tracker of Iranian oil exports, estimates that Iran sold 609 million barrels of oil to China in 2025. At $50 a barrel (a conservative estimate), those sales would have generated $30.45 billion. Iran’s shadow banking system has been operating in its current form since 2019, when the first Trump administration designated Iran’s central bank as a terrorist entity, forcing Iran to externalize its financial operations. It’s how the Islamic Republic survives sanctions, pays its security services, and underwrites the lavish lifestyle of its elite while ordinary Iranians absorb the cost of economic collapse.”  See “Hit Iran in Its Shadow Bank Accounts,” WSJ, 1-19-26.

“After Iran’s massacres, tensions grow inside the regime,” Economist, 1-19-26.

“Iran protests stretch into fourth week as blackout, security pressure persist,” Iran International, 1-19-26.

“Analysts warn that the Iran crisis carries potential nuclear risks. Here’s what to know,” PBS, 1-19-26.

This story is wrong on so many levels.  “Iran gives “young people who became unwittingly involved” in protests 3 days to surrender, for “leniency”,” CBS, 1-19-26.  Where are the protesters and critics in the U.S. who have complained about various issues?  They need to decry these truly serious events in Iran.

“UN representative says Iran’s death toll is rising and there could be investigations into ‘crimes against humanity’,” ABC, 1-19-26.

“Videos Emerge Showing Brutal Tactics Of Iranian Security Forces,” RFE/RL, 1-19-26.

“Killed, blinded, stranded: dispatches from Iran’s bloody crackdown,” Iran International, 1-19-26.

“Iran’s Spiritual Revolution,” Times of Israel, 1-19-26.

“Iran crackdown left 16,500 dead, 330,000 injured – Sunday Times,” Iran International, 1-18-26.  Horrible.  Don’t read the following if you are squeamish.  “The doctors’ report said most deaths occurred over two days during what it described as the most violent phase of the crackdown in the Islamic Republic’s 47-year history, with most victims believed to be under 30. Professor Amir Parasta, an Iranian-German eye surgeon and medical director of Munich MED, told The Sunday Times the data was gathered through doctors communicating via smuggled Starlink satellite terminals after internet access was cut on January 8. “This time they are using military-grade weapons,” Parasta was quoted as saying, adding that doctors were seeing gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head, neck and chest. He said at least 700 to 1,000 people had lost an eye. Figures compiled from eight major eye hospitals and 16 emergency departments cited in the report put the number of injured between 330,000 and 360,000. One Tehran eye hospital, Noor Clinic, documented around 7,000 eye injuries alone, according to the report. An ophthalmologist quoted by The Sunday Times said the volume of pellet-related eye injuries had overwhelmed hospitals. Another witness cited said more than 800 eye removals were performed in a single night in Tehran. Medical sources said some patients died due to blood shortages, with one surgeon quoted as saying security forces had at times prevented blood transfusions. Witnesses who spoke to The Sunday Times described security forces firing live ammunition at protesters, including shots aimed at heads, and deploying snipers on rooftops. Accounts also described the use of Kalashnikov rifles and machineguns mounted on vehicles.”

“Senior Iranian UN diplomat in Geneva defects, seeks asylum in Switzerland,” I24, 1-18-26.  “According to the report, several other Iranian diplomats have discreetly contacted European authorities in recent weeks to explore the possibility of seeking asylum.”

“’All options on the table’: US boosts presence in Middle East as Iran strike remains possibility,” JPost, 1-18-26.

Credit the Ayatollah and his desire for control.  “Why Iran’s regime, facing internal and external threats, has no clear leader in waiting,” NBC, 1-18-26.

“World Economic Forum invites Iranian foreign minister to Davos after regime slaughter of Iranian civilians,” Fox, 1-18-26.

“United Against Nuclear Iran says WEF ignored letter urging exclusion of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,” Fox, 1-18-26.

“Trump halted Iran strikes amid ally concerns, logistical hurdles, diplomatic breakthrough: Report,” MEMO, 1-18-26.

“Fears grow that Iran’s internet blackout may turn permanent to weaken dissent,” NYPost, 1-18-26.

Don’t do it solely on his request.  “Exiled crown prince urges world to help protesters topple Iran’s government,” BBC, 1-17-26.

“Iran’s supreme leader acknowledges thousands killed as pressure builds on clerical rule,” NPR, 1-17-26.

The internet blackout continues.  “Iran enters uneasy calm after deadly anti-regime protests,” AP, AFP, 1-17-26.

“Protests in Iran appear to have slowed as Khamenei claims Trump personally ‘encouraged’ unrest,” NBC, 1-17-26.

“Iran protests abate after deadly crackdown, Trump says Tehran calls off mass hangings,” Reuters, 1-16-25.

“Who was behind Iran’s deadly crackdown?,” Iran International, 1-16-26.  “There remains no evidence that any force beyond the Iranian police and Revolutionary Guards [and the Quds Force] were behind the violence.”

This article, and others, shows why Iran International remains a leading source of news about the Regime.  “What Tehran means when it says protesters won’t be executed,” Iran International, 1-16-26.  “Tehran has rarely—perhaps never—executed individuals under the formal charge of participating in an illegal gathering. Under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, that offense does not carry the death penalty and is typically punishable by imprisonment. In that narrow, technical sense, officials can plausibly claim that the state does not execute people for protesting. The distinction, however, lies in how protesters are subsequently defined. Across successive protest movements, Iranian authorities have routinely reframed demonstrations by dividing participants into shifting categories: first “peaceful protesters” and “rioters,” and more recently “vandals,” “saboteurs” and “terrorists.”  … Once a detainee is removed from the category of protester, prosecutors gain access to a separate set of charges—including moharebeh (warring against God), efsad-fel-arz (corruption on earth), terrorism, armed action or collaboration with hostile states—all of which can carry the death penalty. … In this way, the state’s claim that it does not execute protesters is technically consistent with its practice. Executions occur only after protest-related activity has been reclassified as a more serious offense. … The result is a system in which the boundary between lawful protest and criminal conduct is not defined in advance, but determined after the fact.”  This reminds us that definitions matter, and that when terrorist claim they don’t claim innocents such as women and children doesn’t matter because the terrorist can reclassify those persons as offenders or members of the wrong country and declare they are legitimate targets.

“Iran in limbo: What’s next for country under internet blackout?,” Al Jazeera, 1-16-26.

“Iran Protests Quelled Since Deadly Crackdown, Residents Say,” NYT, 1-16-26.  “There is massive disappointment and disillusionment,” said another resident, who worked in central Tehran and also spoke on the condition of anonymity. … There have been no large-scale protests documented in Iran since Sunday, according to Arina Moradi and Mina Khani, members of the Norway-based Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, which has been monitoring the demonstrations since they began. … An Israeli defense assessment found that the scale of protests had noticeably declined since Sunday, following the Iranian forces’ escalating use of live ammunition and the internet blackout….”

I put posts up that are helpful to hear, even if I may not agree with everything they say.  With that in mind, this author is one of the persons in the two most recent administrations who sided with step away.  “Iran and the Limits of American Power,” Foreign Affairs, 1-15-26.

“Iran reopens airspace after Trump says protest crackdown has eased,” MSN, 1-15-26.

“US says sanctions target ‘architects’ of protest crackdown,” Iran International, 1-15-26.  Well deserved.  “Among those sanctioned was [the Ayatollah’s] security chief Ali Larijani, with the treasury calling him “one of the first Iranian leaders to call for violence in response to the legitimate demands of the Iranian people.””

“Iran Backpedals on Executions Threat but Casts Protesters as ‘Terrorists’,” NYT, 1-15-26.

“Many Fiery Remarks, Little Clarity on What’s Next at Security Council Meeting on Iran,” NYT, 1-15-26.  This article lets the world see the Regime, and also its agent Iran’s deputy ambassador to the U.N., Gholamhossein Darzi.  He labeled protesters in Iran as terrorists, and denied that Iran had killed any of them (!).  Darzi also denounced the two credible and well-known opposition activists the U.S. invited to address the council, Masih Alinejad and Ahmad Batebi.

The U.S. President has apparently been successful in slowing the number of deaths.  “Trump reportedly informs Iran he does not intend to attack,” I24, 1-15-26.

“Trump Was Told Attack on Iran Wouldn’t Guarantee Collapse of Regime,” WSJ, 1-15-26.  “[T]he U.S. learned of Iranian plans to execute 800 people Wednesday, which didn’t happen.”

“Iran protests appear increasingly smothered after internet outage and regime’s crackdown,” NPR, 1-15-26.

“Kurdish opposition groups in Iran support protests, claim attacks on Tehran regime,” Long War Journal, 1-15-26.

“UK ambassador and all embassy staff evacuated from Iran,” Politico, 1-14-26.  ““The move came shortly after the U.S. ordered the evacuation of some personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, its largest base in the Middle East, which hosts 10,000 U.S. troops. A former U.S. official familiar with the situation said aircraft had also been moved. … Britain’s envoy to Iran was summoned alongside European diplomats on Monday to a fractious meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, European officials said. In turn, Britain’s Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer summoned Iran’s Ambassador to London for a meeting Tuesday. [I imagine Iran insisted that these countries stop making comments in support of the protesters, and that the ambassadors insisted Iran stop shooting its citizens!].  Speaking to POLITICO on a tour of Finland and Norway — before the evacuation was public — U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper praised Tehran’s “brave protesters, especially for women to be out protesting, who are facing such huge repression in their daily lives.” With some protesters facing execution, she said: “Iran needs to understand the whole world is watching, and they need to end this violence. The idea that they would escalate the violence further with these executions is absolutely horrific.””

“Iranians arrive in Turkey through border gate as crackdown persists,” JPost, 1-14-26.

There is spillover from the Regime killing its citizens besides people fleeing.  “Saudi Arabia tells Iran its land, airspace won’t be used in strike: Sources,” Al Arabiya, 1-14-26.  And “Saudi Arabia leads Gulf efforts to dissuade Washington from striking Iran,” MEMO, 1-14-26.

WPost tries to make news by stating the obvious, the Regime knows that revolutions don’t start with clear opposition leaders, that is one way the Ayatollah has stayed in power.  “Iran’s opposition is battling to oust regime but hobbled by divisions,” WPost, 1-14-26.  Let’s don’t aid the Supreme Leader extend his power.

“Iran’s Leaders May Survive Protests. But Anger Will Likely Persist,” NYT, 1-14-26

Great article.  “Starlink reportedly made free in Iran – but protesters are taking huge risks by using it,” BBC, 1-14-26.

Thank you Amnesty.  What will other countries say?  What will the UN do?  “Iran: Massacre of protesters demands global diplomatic action to signal an end to impunity,” Amnesty International, 1-14-26.  Quote of the Day.  “Tell the world that if they do nothing, they [authorities] will turn the country into a graveyard.”  A journalist from Tehran.

WPost has helpful reporting here.  “With tensions high, Israel and Iran secretly reassured each other via Russia,” WPost, 1-14-26.  “The two Middle Eastern countries exchanged messages through a Russian intermediary saying they would not preemptively attack each other.”

The indignities and terror remain.  “Iran authorities demanding large sums for return of protesters’ bodies,” BBC told,” BBC, 1-14-26.

Horrendous.  A crime against humanity.  Other than the U.S., who is willing to stand up and do something about this?  “At least 12,000 killed in Iran crackdown as blackout deepens,” Iran International, 1-13-26.  “In the largest killing in Iran’s contemporary history – carried out largely over two consecutive nights, Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9 – at least 12,000 people were killed. In terms of geographic scope, intensity of violence, and the number of deaths in a short time span, this killing is unprecedented in Iran’s history. Based on information received, those killed were mainly shot by forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij. This killing was fully organized, not the result of “sporadic” and “unplanned” clashes. Information received from the Supreme National Security Council and the presidential office indicates that the killing was carried out on the direct order of Ali Khamenei, with the explicit knowledge and approval of the heads of all three branches of government, and with an order for live fire issued by the Supreme National Security Council.”

I posted the Iran Int’l story above at the same time I’m posting the NYT story immediately below.  Notice the level of detail and numbers missing from the Times.  “‘Shoot to Kill’: Accounts of Brutal Crackdown Emerge From Iran,” NYT, 1-13-26.  “As many as 3,000 feared dead as witnesses describe government forces firing on unarmed protesters.”  The people only have one choice left.

“Bowen: Authoritarian regimes die gradually then suddenly, but Iran is not there yet,” BBC, 1-13-26.

“Iran Protester ‘to be executed tomorrow’, rights group says, as official says 2,000 killed in crackdown,” BBC, 1-13-26.

“Trump Tells Iranian Protesters ‘Help Is On Its Way’,” WSJ, 1-13-26.  Notice the range of options.

“Iran: ‘The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop,’ UN rights chief says,” United Nations, 1-13-26.

Good article by CNN.  “Iran makes high-tech additions to its age-old playbook for crushing protests,” CNN, 1-13-26.  “Low-flying surveillance drones, [military-grade] signal jammers, a rapid-response propaganda apparatus, and the violent deployment of force were unleashed simultaneously by a regime keen to learn from each wave of unrest. … Protesters were heavily surveilled with CCTV cameras on the streets, but even those who chose to protest from their homes by shouting anti-regime slogans from their windows were being watched. Iranian police distributed a video titled “Identifable Sounds” showing drones hovering outside apartment buildings to find people chanting against the regime. … Set to ominous background music, the footage showed a drone operator peering into residential windows to identify people chanting “death to the dictator,” followed by scenes of security officials marking buildings with warning stickers, and in some cases, arresting residents. … In an unusually grim move, state television aired a report from a morgue showing rows of body bags, apparently intended to deter potential demonstrators from joining. … Even SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet terminals, used by Iranians to circumvent the restrictions, were jammed using what experts describe as military-grade technology.”

“’They just kept killing’: Eyewitnesses describe deadly crackdown in Iran,” BBC, 1-12-26.

“544 dead, over 10,600 arrested in Iran as Trump says Tehran sought talks | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 1-12-26.  These stories are the only news, about anyting, out of Iran.

“The Iranian Regime Could Fall:  But a U.S. Strike Would Prop It Up,” Foreign Affairs, 1-12-26.  Notice these are the same persons, whether during the June War, or at any time when the question of force might be applied by the U.S., who say a war will break out (when the U.S. takes out nuclear facilities, when the U.S. removes Soleimani, when Pres. Trump eliminated Baghdadi, etc.  Further, these are the same people who say that someone should rescue those who are being taken advantage of–yet they apparently don’t want the U.S. or their country to do it.  How many foreign leaders and news rooms around the world are calling to help the Iranians getting shot in the streets?

Both are untrue.  “Iran Prepared for War but Ready to Negotiate, Foreign Minister Says,” NYT, 1-12-26.

“Network of Scottish X accounts go dark amid Iran blackout,” The Herald, 1-12-26.