Iranian regime reportedly fears possible US strike could cause it to collapse under renewed demonstrations

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s leadership is concerned that a potential U.S. strike could lead to renewed protests in the country, possibly toppling the regime, Reuters reported on Monday. 

Citing six current and former regime officials, the report said that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was recently briefed by officials that public anger over the violent crackdown on protests last month has led to a situation in which fear of violence is no longer a deterrent to the public.

Khamenei was reportedly told that many Iranians were willing to confront regime security forces, and would likely be emboldened to do so in the event of a U.S. strike. Regime officials are currently in Turkey for a summit with U.S. officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, that is planned for the end of the week.

The officials expressed concerns that a strike could lead to the “collapse” of the regime. “An attack combined with demonstrations by angry people could lead to a collapse (of the ruling system). That is the main concern among the top officials and that is what our enemies want,” one of the officials told Reuters. 

However, the officials offered no indication of Khamenei’s response to the report, despite Reuters' questioning. 

Another official told Reuters that “people are extremely angry.” He also noted that a U.S. attack could lead Iranian civilians to resume the suppressed protests. “The wall of fear has collapsed,” he stated. “There is no fear left.” 

Former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi, who has been under house arrest without trial since 2011, released a statement warning the regime about the anger of the populace. 

“The river of warm blood that was spilled on the cold month of January will not stop boiling until it changes the course of history,” Mousavi said in a statement. “In what language should people say they do not want this system and do not believe your lies? Enough is enough. The game is over.’” 

While the brutal crackdown by the regime on the protests has led to a halt in demonstrations, anger over the large number of deaths could cause them to reignite, regime officials said. 

While there remain significant discrepancies between different reports on the number of protesters killed last month, the editorial board of Iran International on Monday released a statement claiming to have documented evidence of “more than 6,000 names that have not been included on the list published by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

The regime has confirmed the deaths of 2,986 people; however, the opposition-aligned outlet said that fewer than 100 names on the list overlap with its own list.

While the Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has compiled a list of 6,854 confirmed deaths in the protests, Iran International continues to stand by its estimate, compiled from several reports, that “at least 36,500 people” were killed in the regime crackdown. 

Meanwhile, the last few days have seen a series of reports of unexplained fires and explosions across the country, amid the ongoing tensions with the U.S. and the possibility of American strikes against the regime.

On Tuesday morning, a large fire broke out at the Jannat Abad Market in Tehran, Tasnim News reported. 

A large fire has erupted at a market in the Jannat Abad area of Tehran, Iran. The cause and any casualties have not been confirmed. pic.twitter.com/2Tep6bkmJr

— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) February 3, 2026

A statement from emergency services in the Iranian capital said, "Firefighters are conducting fire control operations in this market in the western region of Tehran from several directions.”

The statement also said, ”So far, accurate information on the number of injuries or possible deaths in this incident is not available and additional news will be announced later."

According to reports, the fire started around 10:00 a.m., in the market that covers around 2,000 square meters ( about 21,530 square feet).

Photos and videos posted to social media showed heavy plumes of smoke, which could be seen for miles around. 

pic.twitter.com/7EqfhMANf7 🚨 #BREAKING Heavy smoke and flames are rising from the Janat Abad market in #Tehran as a fire tears through the area right now 😐

— Uncensored Globe (@bytemine) February 3, 2026

At the time of publication, there was no official statement regarding the cause of the blaze, which burned down the market. 

That blaze followed several recent fires and explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas over the past few days, including one on the last day of January, in which one child was killed and around 14 people were injured. 

While state media denied reports that IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri was the target of a possible attack, a video that showed an injured man in military uniform being carried out of the building was later deleted by a state-linked channel.

Evidence that this explosion targeted a military site and not an apartment building in Irans Bandar Abbas has been provided by a now deleted report by the Iranian media itself.

A men in military uniform can be seen being evacuated from the building, his hand placed on his… https://t.co/QaxS7MLJ7Z pic.twitter.com/5DJV1ReKOz

— ScharoMaroof (@ScharoMaroof) February 2, 2026

Since the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran War in June 2025, multiple fires and explosions have occurred across Iran, often close to known facilities of the Iranian government or IRGC. Official reports have often blamed the explosions on “gas leaks.”