Iran protests captured in photos amid claims of thousands killed

Tuesday 13 January 2026 - 12:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Iran protests captured in photos amid claims of thousands killed

Opposition groups report over 3,000 deaths in Iran's ongoing protests, now in their 16th day, following a ferocious government crackdown that has left hospitals overwhelmed and cities scarred. Demonstrations erupted across Tehran and Mashhad over the weekend, with eyewitnesses describing streets flooded by protesters and facilities unable to cope with the influx of casualties. Iran's main opposition, the People's Mojahedin Organization (MEK), confirmed the toll tonight, while exiled leader Maryam Rajavi branded the response a major crime against humanity.

Nationwide internet blackouts and severed phone lines greeted the population this morning, compounding the chaos after days of unrest. Videos surfaced showing continued gatherings early Monday, as authorities deployed extra troops in a bid to quell the uprising. Pro-regime rallies countered with crowds in Tehran waving images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Enghelab Square, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans in a show of force.

The violence has rippled globally, sparking solidarity protests from London to Berlin. In the UK capital, demonstrators torched a portrait of Khamenei outside the Iranian embassy, fueled by raw emotion. Berlin saw calls for Reza Pahlavi, son of the late shah, reflecting divided exile sentiments. Heavy damage marks Tehran's affected zones, underscoring the toll of clashes between youths and security forces.

Downing Street dismissed prospects of designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, echoing former MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore's caution that such a step offers little practical impact beyond domestic satisfaction. As images of destruction and defiance circulate, the protests highlight deepening rifts, with economic grievances fueling broader demands for systemic change.