Over 30 killed as protests in Iran enter tenth day; regime seeks to ‘pay off’ demonstrators

At least 35 people have been killed as thousands of Iranians have protested against the Ayatollah regime across the country over the past nine days, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

The agency which collects reports from activists on the ground said that 20 protesters, four children and two members of the regime’s security forces were killed amid the protests, during an increasingly violent crackdown by the regime.

The opposition-aligned outlet Iran International reported that five protesters were killed and almost 30 injured when regime forces opened fire in the western city of Malekshahi on Saturday, in one of the most violent incidents of the protests so far.

Demonstrations have been reported from over 250 locations in 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces, according to HRANA.

The crackdown intensified since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s first public appearance during the protests on Saturday. He echoed several statements from regime officials who attempted to distinguish between legitimate protests against the economic situation and anti-regime protests, which they allege are caused by foreign instigation.

Interactive protest map of Iran featuring a timeline, chart and descriptions for both verified and unverified reports. Link in reply. pic.twitter.com/0ZHaaa7iGX

— Pouya (@Pouyaaii) January 6, 2026

On Monday, Tehran City Council head Mehdi Chamran again accused the protesters of carrying out “violent and organized unrest” while “taking orders from Netanyahu and people like him.”

On Sunday, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency said that authorities had arrested an “affiliate of the Zionist regime's espionage service (Mossad)” while he was “acting covertly among rioters in Tehran.”

The report added that the alleged Mossad operative confessed to being recruited and trained by the Mossad while being in constant communication with the agency.

“We talk with the protester; the officials must talk with the protester; talking with the rioter is of no use. The rioter must be put in his place,” Khamenei said.

The protests were first triggered by the currency collapse in recent weeks, as the rial reached a low of 1.4 million to $US1.

DAY 10: IRAN PROTESTS

Clashes erupted at Tehran's Bazaar between protestors and security forces who stormed the market and fired tear gas at demonstrators, who responded with chants of "Shame, shame!" pic.twitter.com/eH6xGnPp9y

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) January 6, 2026

As part of the regime’s carrot and stick approach, the government announced it plans to start issuing a monthly coupon worth one million tomans, about $7, to every Iranian to help alleviate the economic crisis.

However, the plan drew quick criticism even from newspapers like the Setareh Sobh, which called the move an “economic gamble.”

Meanwhile, the semiofficial Fars news agency said that some 250 police officers and 45 members of the volunteer militia Basij have been hurt in the demonstrations.

The U.S. State Department’s Persian‑language account on 𝕏 marked the ninth day of protests by posting a video of the protests. 

“Despite brutal violence and ruthless suppression, Iranians continue to stand with courage and unwavering resolve to claim their rights. Their resilience in the face of fear is a powerful cry for justice and freedom against a regime that rules through repression,” the post said.