Iran Summary – January 2026

As anti-regime protests swept through Iran, the government cracked down on dissent by killing thousands of protesters, kidnapping wounded citizens from hospitals, torturing demonstrators, and cutting internet access nationwide for over 20 days. The Human Rights Activists News Agency has confirmed the deaths of at least 6,000 protesters, but Iran International has reported that an estimated 36,500 protesters could have been killed during a major crackdown on the nights of January 8 and 9. Regime forces have also detained at least 42,000 other protesters while also utilizing Iraqi proxies to violently contain demonstrations.

Iran’s vile treatment of its citizens and struggle to repress dissent gained international attention as the United States repeatedly threatened military action against the government for its gross human rights violations and failure to comply with nuclear demands. U.S. warnings prompted public declarations of support for the regime from Iran’s proxies, as well as China and Russia, who warned against outside forces compromising Iran’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Turkish authorities arrested several people for spying for Iranian agents, including individuals accused of collecting sensitive information on the Incirlik Air Base.

Click here to read the January 2026 Iran Summary.