Iran | ​​New Evidence of Systematic Killings, Summary Executions, and Violent Suppression: De Facto Martial Law Imposed

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 15 January 2026: Nineteen days into the anti-government nationwide protests in Iran, IHRNGO continues to receive reports of the extent of the bloody crackdown on protests through individuals who have recently left Iran, phone calls and communications through satellite internet devices. These accounts indicate the wide scale of repression and the systematic killing of protesters across Iran.

IHRNGO has obtained new evidence of state forces using heavy weaponry including DShK and other mounted machine guns, in attacks on protesters and carried out mass killings between 8 and 11 January.

Furthermore, reports from numerous cities across Iran indicate a substantial deployment of security and military forces across urban areas. From evening onwards, measures consistent with de facto martial law, including severe restrictions on movement, have reportedly been imposed.

Based on available information, the number of protesters killed is assessed to be significantly higher than the total verified by IHRNGO. However, according to information verified by the organisation, since the onset of the protests at least 3,428 protesters have been killed and thousands more injured.

Protesters being shot dead while trying to flee, the use of military-grade weapons, and the street execution of wounded protesters all point to a planned and widespread crime carried out with the aim of mass killing civilians.

The organisation further estimates that around 20,000 people have been arrested in connection to the protests. Concerns persist regarding the reported widespread issuance of death sentences through expedited proceedings in summary trial. Following public statements by the Head of the Judiciary calling for the swift issuance and implementation of death sentences for protesters, the Minister of Justice stated on 14 January, that any individual detained on the streets between 8 and 11 January would be considered a criminal. 

Recalling the international community’s obligations, IHRNGO calls for urgent action within the framework of international law. 

IHRNGO Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “Horrifying eyewitness accounts of protesters being shot dead while trying to flee, the use of military-grade weapons, and the street execution of wounded protesters all point to a planned and widespread crime carried out with the aim of mass killing civilians. Ali Khamenei and the individuals and institutions acting under his authority have committed one of the gravest crimes of our time. The international community has a duty to act immediately to prevent the continuation of this killing. The people of Iran urgently need help.” He continued: “The international community must pursue Ali Khamenei and all other perpetrators and those who ordered these crimes through judicial processes and bring them before a court of law.”

The new round of protests, which began on 28 December 2025 in Tehran’s bazaar over poor economic conditions, quickly spread to other parts of Iran, accompanied by anti-government slogans. Until the internet blackout on 8 January, protests had spread to all 31 provinces and around 190 cities and have continued sporadically in some cities since, per reports. Due to the ongoing blackout, information about recent protests has only reached the organisation through people who have recently escaped Iran, brief phone calls and limited communications via Starlink devices. 

Protests

While Islamic Republic officials claim that the anti-government protests have subsided, Chinese state television aired footage on the evening of 13 January showing demonstrators in the vicinity of Tehran’s bazaar. The footage shows security forces firing tear gas at protesters. Funerals of the slain protesters have also become focal points of protest in various cities.

On 13 January, there was a large turnout at the funeral of Alireza Seydi in Abdanan, Ilam province. An informed source told IHRNGO: “In protest against the state killing, no funeral prayer was performed. The presence of repressive forces was significant, and scattered gunfire could be heard. There were no casualties, but the ceremony concluded with people chanting ‘Death to Khamenei’.”

Schools remain closed in Ilam, Dehloran, Kermanshah, Marivan, Saqqez, Baneh, Divandarreh, Dehgolan, Ghorveh, Sanandaj and most other Kurdish-majority cities in Iran. Reports also indicate restrictions on movement and the establishment of extensive checkpoints in these regions.

At the same time, reports from many cities across Iran indicate a heavy deployment of security and military forces throughout urban areas. From evening onwards, measures consistent with de facto martial law, including severe restrictions on movement, have reportedly been imposed. In several cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Hamedan, and Qazvin, additional restrictions on movement have been reported. 

Repressive Measures

An eyewitness from Kerman told IHRNGO that state forces fired machine-gun rounds at protesters on 8 January, with at least 80 bodies transferred to a single hospital in the city that day.  In multiple areas of Tehran, including Tehranpars and Sadeghieh, as well as in parts of Karaj in Alborz Province, the use of heavy weapons, including DShK systems, have been reportedly used against protesters.

At least two informed sources stated that state forces opened fire upon a group of protesters dancing Kurdish dances in Punak Square, Tehran, on 9 January. According to these reports, Siavash Shirzad, a Bukan native, was amongst those killed. Footage of the Kurdish dancing had previously received widespread attention online.

An informed source in Rasht said: “On 8 January, security forces pursued a group of young people who were attempting to flee through the streets and alleys and opened fire on them.”

Footage from Tonekabon in Mazandaran Province shows extensive military patrols equipped with heavy weapons. An informed source in western Iran told IHRNGO: “Heavy weapons have been used in the cities of Javanrud, Mahabad, and Piranshahr.” According to this source, there is currently no accurate figure for the number of protesters killed in these areas. Footage from Mashhad also shows security forces firing on protesters from rooftops using heavy weapons on 11 January. 

Death Toll

According to data gathered by IHRNGO, at least 3,428 protesters have been killed since the start of the protests. It should be noted that the number only includes cases verified directly by IHRNGO or through two independent sources and includes the data received from sources within the Ministry of Health for 8 to 12 January.

Reports indicate that most of those killed were under 30 years old, and at least 17 were under 18, though IHRNGO is still working to obtain documentation confirming the exact ages of all victims. At least ten of the victims were women.

Unverified estimates ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 deaths have been reported. Owing to the complete internet shutdown and severe restrictions on access to information, independent verification of these figures is currently extremely difficult. IHRNGO is also still working to verify reports of killings from the early days of the protests. 

 Internet Blackout

The nationwide internet blackout which began at 22:00 on 8 January, is also in force. According to NetBlocks, 99% of Iran’s internet has been under blackout since.

In that time, only a limited number of people have been able to access the internet through Starlink devices.

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, January 15, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde