Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the US stands “ready to help” people taking part in anti-government protests that have swept across the country.
The US president wrote on social media: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help.”
It marked a second threat against Iran’s government by Mr Trump, who on Friday warned that the US army was “locked and loaded” if Tehran killed protesters.
Rights groups have claimed that at least 116 people have been killed so far in the demonstrations, which began over the collapse of Iran’s currency but have since turned on the government, calling for the overthrow of supreme leader Ayatollah Khameni.
Tehran responded to the growing unrest on Saturday by threatening protesters with the death penalty. It claimed 100 “armed rioters” had been arrested.
Iran’s military also warned citizens to stay vigilant against “enemy plots” after authorities blamed “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel for the unrest. On Saturday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards' intelligence wing said it had arrested a foreigner suspected of spying for Israel.
Also on Saturday, demonstrations in solidarity of the protesters place around the world, including in London where a man appeared to pull down a flag at Iran’s embassy.
Read MoreTrump warns Ayatollah ‘we will start shooting if you do’ as Iran rocked by another night of protests
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after widespread anti-regime protests
Key Points
- Timeline of how unrest unfolded and grew
- Keir Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors
- One hundred people arrested over alleged clashes with security forces
- Iran threatens death penalty as protests continue nationwide
- Trump sends another warning to Iranian regime
What you need to know about the protests in Iran
02:30 , Daniel HaygarthBuildings, buses, and shops have been burned to the ground turning Iran’s capital Tehran into a “war zone” as protests break out across the country demanding the fall of the country’s supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khameini.
This unrest follows a tumultuous period for Tehran, which is still recovering from a 12-day conflict in June, initiated by Israel, that saw US forces bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government.
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests
Recap: Trump warns Iran 'we’re going to hit very hard’ if protesters are targeted
02:00 , Dan HaygarthStarmer and other European leaders condemned killing of Iran protestors
01:30 , Daniel HaygarthSir Keir Starmer on Friday denounced the killing of protesters in Iran, calling on Tehran to "exercise restraint" amid a crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations.
In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister said he was “deeply concerned about reports of violence by Iranian security forces” and “strongly” condemned the killing of protesters.
Read the full story:
Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors amid crackdown on demonstrations
Who is Reza Pahlavi?
01:00 , Dan HaygarthThe exiled son of Iran's last shah, who has emerged as a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition, made his strongest call yet for the protests to broaden into a revolt to topple the clerical rulers.
In a video posted on X, U.S.-based Reza Pahlavi, 65, whose father was toppled as Iran's shah in the 1979 revolution, said the Islamic Republic would be brought "to its knees".
Pahlavi’s name is being chanted through the streets of major Iranian cities including Tehran and Mashhad, with phrases “Pahlavi will return” and “Seyyed Ali will be toppled”.
Read the full article: Who is Reza Pahlavi? Iran’s exiled prince linked to mass anti-Khamenei protests
'Scattered, short-lived, and fluid gatherings' on Saturday
00:30 , Dan HaygarthThe US-based Human Rights reports that protests continued on Saturday, with people returning to the streets of Iran’s cities.
The agency said in an update on Saturday: “On the fourteenth day, limited reports and images emerged of continued gatherings in Tehran. The pattern of protests in the capital has largely taken the form of scattered, short-lived, and fluid gatherings, an approach shaped in response to the heavy presence of security forces and increased field pressure.
“At the same time, reports were received of surveillance drones flying overhead and movements by security forces around protest locations, indicating ongoing monitoring and security control.”
Recap: Timeline of Iran's two-week protests
00:00 , James ReynoldsDec. 28: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to a new record low
Dec. 29: The central bank head resigns as the protests spread and police fire tear gas at protesters
Dec. 30: President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to work with business leaders to hear their demands as university campuses join protests
Dec. 31: Protests in Fasa allegedly turn violent after crowds break into the governor’s office
Jan. 1: The protests' first fatalities are officially reported, with authorities saying at least seven people have been killed
Jan. 2: Trump threatens Iran if it kills peaceful protesters
Jan. 3: Khamenei greenlights security forces in crackdown. Protests reach 170 locations with 15 dead
Jan. 8: The government blocks the internet after Reza Pahlavi calls on citizens to act
Jan. 9: Iran ramps up threats of punishment with 65 reported killed and 2,300 detained.
Who is Iran’s supreme leader?
23:30 , Dan HaygarthAyatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, who has spent more than three decades consolidating power by crushing internal threats, now faces his most significant challenge yet as widespread protests grip the nation.
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Mr Khamenei might be planning to flee the country amidst the unrest, which has seen millions of Iranians take to the streets demanding regime change.
Mr Trump stated that the supreme leader is "looking to go someplace" when questioned about reports of a potential escape to Russia, adding that the country was on the "verge of collapsing" on Thursday.
In his first public address since the protests began, Khamenei called President Donald Trump “arrogant”, saying he would be “overthrown.”
Read the full article: Who is Iran’s supreme leader? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rise to power explained amid protests
Trump warns Tehran that US ‘stands ready to help’ Iranian protesters as regime crackdown intensifies
22:55 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump said on Saturday night that the US was “ready to help” protesters in Iran - on a day the country’s clerical regime tightened its clampdown on demonstrations with 100 “armed rioters” arrested, it claimed.
More than 100 people are feared to have been killed in the protests, which have swept across the country after starting two weeks ago.
On Saturday, following a night of protests in several cities including the capital Tehran, the Iranian attorney general warned that anyone taking part would be considered an “enemy of God”, a sentence that carries the death penalty.
On the same day, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps also accused “terrorists” of targeting military and law enforcement bases, while the country’s army said it would join the crackdown to “firmly safeguard national interests”.
Iranian media reported that 100 “armed rioters” had been arrested.
Read the full article:
Trump warns Tehran that US ‘stands ready to help’ Iranian protesters as regime crackdown intensifies
More than 100 people feared dead in protests
22:52 , Dan HaygarthUS-based Human Rights Activists News Agency claims to have confirmed 116 people have been killed in the protests, including seven aged under 18.
More than 2,638 people have been arrested, including 327 on Saturday, the group added.
Iranian protesters returned to the streets on Saturday night, according to the group, which described the gatherings as “scattered, short-lived and fluid” due to the threat from security forces.
Pictured: Protester rallies support for Pahlavi during Tehran protests
22:30 , James Reynolds Protesters' courage praised by UK government
22:00 , Dan HaygarthUK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has praised the courage of protesters taking to the streets of the Iran in the face of repression by the Tehran regime.
Ms Cooper stated those speaking out against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government should not face “the threat of violence or reprisals”.
She said: “It takes real courage to speak up in an authoritarian system, especially for young women, but it should not require courage just to make your voice heard.
“These are fundamental rights: free speech; peaceful assembly; and the exercise of those rights should never come with the threat of violence or reprisals.
“That is why the UK, France and Germany made the statement we did, and we urge the Iranian authorities to listen.”
Dozens have been killed and thousands have been detained as the Iranian state has attempted to quell the challenge to the regime.
The Iranian government has acknowledged the demonstrations as the the nation remains cut off from the rest of the world.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off by the regime, gauging the demonstrations against the government from abroad has grown more difficult.
However, dissent against the Islamic Republic has spread around the world, with a protester in London tearing down the country’s flag from its embassy in London.
Social media footage showed a man on the embassy’s balcony removing the flag and replacing it with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun flag – often used by opposition groups in the country.
The Iranian embassy later posted a picture on its X account of the flag back in place with the caption “Iran’s flag is flying high”.
In an update on Saturday evening, Scotland Yard said two arrests had been made, one for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker and one for aggravated trespass.
Officers are also looking for another person for trespass.
Violence across country on Saturday, reports local media
21:42 , Dan HaygarthThere were fresh reports of violence across Iran on Saturday, although an internet blackout made it difficult to assess the full extent of unrest.
State media said a municipal building was set on fire in Karaj, west of Tehran, and blamed "rioters".
State TV broadcast footage funerals of members of the security forces it said were killed in protests in the cities of Shiraz, Qom and Hamedan.
Iran's authorities indicated they could intensify the crackdown on demonstrations, as the Revolutionary Guards blaming unrest on terrorists and vowing to safeguard the governing system.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to intervene in recent days, posted on social media on Saturday: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!"
Pahlavi: 'The goal is to prepare to seize city centres and hold them'
21:31 , Dan HaygarthIn a video posted on X, U.S.-based Reza Pahlavi, 65, whose father was toppled as Iran's shah in the 1979 revolution, said the Islamic Republic would be brought "to its knees".
He called for people to seize the centres of their towns, and said he was preparing to return soon to Iran.
"Our goal is no longer merely to come into the streets; the goal is to prepare to seize city centres and hold them," he said.
Recap: Two arrests made after London protest
21:05 , Dan HaygarthA protester climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London earlier on Saturday.
Social media footage appeared to show a man on the balcony pulling down the flag and replacing it with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun flag – often used by opposition groups in the country.
The Iranian embassy later posted a picture on its X account of the flag back in place with the caption “Iran’s flag is flying high”.
The Metropolitan Police said it had sent additional officers to the scene in Kensington where a number of people gathered.
In an update on Saturday evening, Scotland Yard said two arrests had been made, one for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker and one for aggravated trespass.
Officers are also looking for another person for trespass.
Earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the killing of protesters in the country and urged Tehran to “exercise restraint” amid a crackdown on demonstrations against the regime.
Counterprotests expected on Monday
21:00 , James ReynoldsCounterprotests are now expected to follow on Monday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The outlet, which is linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, says the demonstrations would be to "condemn the actions of rioters and armed terrorists".
Iranian state TV repeatedly showing pro-government demonstrations
20:08 , Alex RossState TV is repeatedly playing a driving, martial orchestral arrangement from the Epic of Khorramshahr by Iranian composer Majid Entezami, while showing pro-government demonstrations.
The song, aired repeatedly during the 12-day war launched by Israel, honours Iran's 1982 liberation of the city of Khorramshahr during the Iran-Iraq war.
It has been used in videos of protesting women cutting away their hair in protest over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini as well.
"Field reports indicate that peace prevailed in most cities of the country at night," a state TV anchor reported.
"After a number of armed terrorists attacked public places and set fire to people's private property last night, there was no news of any gathering or chaos in Tehran and most provinces last night."
What is happening in Iran?
20:00 , James ReynoldsAt least 65 people have now been killed in clashes with police as protests rage on, according to rights groups.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government:
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests
Iran police warn parents to look after their children - with seven reportedly killed in protests
19:00 , James ReynoldsIran’s police force has warned parents to keep an eye on their children with violent protests ongoing, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
"Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings and their plans to cause deaths, we advise families to take care of their youth and teenagers," a statement read.
Seven children have reportedly been killed during the protests so far, according to local rights groups.
Trump: 'Iran is looking at freedom', 'US stands ready to help'
18:50 , Dan HaygarthIn the last half hour, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
President Trump once again warned the United States could intervene, having yesterday said the US will “start shooting” if demonstrators in Iran are targeted by government forces.
President of European Commission says Europe stands with protesters
18:14 , Dan HaygarthTehran’s streets, and cities around the world, echo with the footsteps of Iranian women and men demanding freedom.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 10, 2026
Freedom to speak, to gather, to travel and above all to live freely.
Europe stands fully behind them.
We unequivocally condemn the violent repression of these…
Iranian intelligence arrests 'Israeli spy'
17:50 , James ReynoldsIran's Revolutionary Guards' intelligence wing says it has arrested a foreigner suspected of spying for Israel, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Authorities accuse the US and Israel of fomenting the recent unrest.
Met confirms arrests at Iranian embassy in London
17:39 , James ReynoldsThe Met has just shared that the protest outside the Iranian embassy in London is still ongoing and being policed.
Two arrests have been made, they said, including one for aggravated trespass and assault on an emergency worker, and one for aggravated trespass.
Officers are also seeking another individual for trespass, the service said.
“We saw no serious disorder and officers will remain in the area to ensure the continued security of the Embassy.”
Europe stands with protesters, says Von der Leyen
17:37 , James ReynoldsEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that Europe was fully behind the protesters in comments this afternoon.
“Tehran’s streets, and cities around the world, echo with the footsteps of Iranian women and men demanding freedom. Freedom to speak, to gather, to travel and above all to live freely. Europe stands fully behind them,” she wrote.
She also called for the immediate release of imprisoned demonstrators, the restoration of internet access, and the restoration of fundamental rights in Iran.
Watch: Protesters return to Iran streets in nationwide uprising
17:06 , James ReynoldsIran 'repelling Kurdish dissidents entering from Iraq'
16:32 , James ReynoldsThe semi-official Mehr news agency is reporting that Iranian security officials have stopped Kurdish dissidents from entering the country via Iraq.
Protester scales Iranian embassy in London
15:42 , James ReynoldsA protester has climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London.
The Metropolitan Police said additional officers have been sent to the scene in Kensington.
Protests in Iran began on December 28 and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years.
ICYMI: Trump doubles down on threats against regime
15:33 , James ReynoldsHospitals across Iran overwhelmed by casualties
14:23 , James ReynoldsA doctor and a medic in Iran said that their hospitals have been inundated with patients as the protests continue to swell.
One doctor told the BBC that an eye hospital in Tehran was in ‘crisis mode’ due to the number of injuries they were treating.
A health worker at another hospital in the capital said patients were arriving with gunshot wounds.
A medic at another hospital, in Shiraz, said there were not enough surgeons to treat the number of patients coming in.
Government factions considering deposing Ayatollah, says expert
14:00 , James ReynoldsSome factions within the Iranian government are said to be weighing deposing the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Negin Shiraghaei, an Iranian activist, told Sky News: “This is the moment that a lot of my sources ... who are actually closer to the Iranian government are for the first time talking about the supreme leader needing to go.”
She said succession lobbying with the US had already started, citing unnamed sources.
Iranian pop icon Googoosh shares hopes for regime change
13:30 , James ReynoldsIranian singer Googoosh has said she is “waiting for a change of regime to happen soon”, as the country faces renewed nationwide protests.
“I am living day and night with a mix of anxiety and hope,” the veteran pop icon said in an interview with The Times published on Friday.
“Waiting for a change of regime to happen soon. The people are being brutally suppressed. The killing has not stopped. The situation can no longer wait.”
Read the full story:
Iranian pop icon Googoosh says she is ‘waiting for a change of regime to happen soon’
A timeline of how unrest unfolded and grew
13:00 , James ReynoldsDec. 28: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to a new record low
Dec. 29: The central bank head resigns as the protests spread and police fire tear gas at protesters
Dec. 30: President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to work with business leaders to hear their demands as university campuses join protests
Dec. 31: Protests in Fasa allegedly turn violent after crowds break into the governor’s office
Jan. 1: The protests' first fatalities are officially reported, with authorities saying at least seven people have been killed
Jan. 2: Trump threatens Iran if it kills peaceful protesters
Jan. 3: Khamenei greenlights security forces in crackdown. Protests reach 170 locations with 15 dead
Jan. 8: The government blocks the internet after Reza Pahlavi calls on citizens to act
Jan. 9: Iran ramps up threats of punishment with 65 reported killed and 2,300 detained.
Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors
12:29 , James ReynoldsSir Keir Starmer denounced the killing of protesters in Iran, calling on Tehran to "exercise restraint" amid a crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations.
In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister said he was “deeply concerned about reports of violence by Iranian security forces” and “strongly” condemned the killing of protesters.
Read the full story:
Starmer speaks out over killing of Iran protestors amid crackdown on demonstrations
Marco Rubio backs protesters against regime
12:00 , James ReynoldsUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio also gave his backing to the protesters on Saturday.
"The United States supports the brave people of Iran," Rubio posted on X as the regime hit out at Donald Trump for allegedly interfering.
Trump has threatened Iran with force if it kills protesters rallying against the government.
"You better not start shooting because we'll start shooting too,” the president said on Friday.
Who is Iran’s supreme leader?
11:30 , James ReynoldsAyatollah Ali Khamenei has spent more than three decades consolidating power by crushing internal threats.
He now faces his most significant challenge yet as widespread protests grip the nation.
But who is the supreme leader of Iran clinging onto power against a rising tide of dissent?
Who is Iran’s supreme leader as protests grip the country
One hundred people arrested over alleged clashes with security forces - local media
11:20 , James ReynoldsOne hundred people have reportedly been arrested in Baharestan, a county in Tehran province, amid the widening government crackdown.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on the arrests this morning, citing the local governor.
The detainees were accused of disrupting public order and using firearms and other weapons against security forces and law enforcement, the report said.
The agency is linked to the regime’s Revolutionary Guards. The report comes as Iran tries to deter civilians from joining demonstrations with the protests approaching their third week.
How many people have been killed?
11:00 , James ReynoldsHRANA, an NGO advocating for rights in Iran, reported on Friday that 65 people have been killed in the last two weeks of protest.
This figure included:
- 50 protesting citizens
- 14 law enforcement and security forces
- 1 government-affiliated citizen
Of the 50, seven were identified as children under the age of 18.
The provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Ilam, Kermanshah and Fars were worst affected, with 38 people killed in total.
HRANA notes that the internet blackout has made it impossible to establish an exact death toll definitively. The 65 come from verified reports over the past 13 days.
The Independent View: Regime change in Iran would be welcome
10:31 , James ReynoldsEditorial: Iran’s unremittingly harsh leadership faces one of the most serious challenges to its theocratic rule since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979.
After weeks of nationwide protests, the ayatollahs’ spell could soon be broken – which is how counter-revolutions begin, and governments fall:
Regime change in Iran would be welcome
Reza Pahlavi calls for two more days of protest
10:27 , James ReynoldsIran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi is calling for another two days of protest, with the authorities desperately trying to block opposition voices from mobilising support.
This morning he posted on social media to urge Iranians to “come to the streets" today and tomorrow from 6pm.
He also called on workers to strike nationwide.
It’s now been 36 hours since the internet blackout was put in place, limiting the reach of his message.
Watch: Trump warns Iran 'we’re going to hit very hard’ if protesters are targeted
10:00 , James ReynoldsArmy warns protestors against damaging public property
09:24 , James ReynoldsIran's army is insisting it will safeguard the country's national interests, strategic infrastructure and public property with widespread protests still ongoing.
It also urged citizens to be vigilant to thwart what it called "the enemy's plots" on Saturday.
What is happening in Iran?
09:00 , Shahana YasminBuildings, buses and shops have been burned to the ground turning Iran’s capital Tehran into a “war zone” as protests break out across the country demanding the fall of the country’s supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khameini.
At least 65 people have been killed in violent clashes with police, according to human rights groups.
This unrest follows a tumultuous period for Tehran, which is still recovering from a 12-day conflict in June, initiated by Israel, that saw US forces bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government.
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests
Iran internet blackout enters second day
08:45 , Shahana YasminInternet monitoring group NetBlocks said Iran’s nationwide internet blackout remained in place on Saturday morning, 36 hours after it was imposed.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, NetBlocks said connectivity restrictions were severely limiting Iranians’ ability to check on the safety of friends and loved ones as the country woke up to continued unrest.
“It’s now 8:00 am in Iran where the sun is rising after another night of protests met with repression,” the group said, adding that network data showed the blackout was still firmly in effect.
⚠️ Update: It's now 8:00 am in #Iran where the sun is rising after another night of protests met with repression; metrics show the nationwide internet blackout remains in place at 36 hours, severely limiting Iranians' ability to check on the safety of friends and loved ones 📵 pic.twitter.com/OYqJLsxKUK
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 10, 2026
The prolonged shutdown has made independent verification of events on the ground increasingly difficult as protests continue across the country.
Rights group reports 65 dead after 13 days of unrest in Iran
08:30 , Shahana YasminThe death toll from protests in Iran has risen to 65, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
In a report published on Saturday, the US-based group said demonstrations have continued for 13 consecutive days, taking place in 512 locations across 180 cities in all 31 provinces.
HRANA said those killed include 50 protesters, 14 law enforcement and security personnel, and one government-affiliated civilian.
At least 2,311 people have been detained, with dozens more injured.
The group said many of the injuries were caused by pellet shots and plastic bullets.
Iranian authorities have not issued official figures or commented on the reported deaths or injuries.
Iran threatens death penalty as protests continue nationwide
08:15 , Shahana YasminIranian authorities have intensified a crackdown on protests across the country, threatening participants with the death penalty and maintaining a nationwide internet blackout ahead of expected further unrest.
A Tehran prosecutor later warned that those accused of damaging public property during the unrest could face the death penalty, according to a Bloomberg report.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a statement calling the situation “unacceptable” and said it reserved the right to avenge what it described as “terrorist incidents”.
This comes as US president Donald Trump warned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the US will “start shooting” if demonstrators in Iran are targeted by government forces as nationwide protests demanding regime change continued into their 13th day.
Exiled prince Reza Pahlavi calls for nationwide strikes and expanded street protests
08:00 , Shahana YasminReza Pahlavi has called on Iranians to escalate protests against the Islamic Republic, urging nationwide strikes and a larger street presence on Saturday.
In a social media post on X, he addressed his “dear compatriots,” and wrote that their actions were a “resounding response to the threats of the treacherous and criminal leader of the Islamic Republic”.
هممیهنان عزیزم،
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 10, 2026
شما با شجاعت و ایستادگی خود، تحسین جهانیان را برانگیختهاید. حضور دگرباره و پرشکوهتان در خیابانهای سراسر ایران در شامگاه جمعه، پاسخی دندانشکن به تهدیدهای رهبر خائن و جنایتکار جمهوری اسلامی بود. یقین دارم که او این تصاویر را از مخفیگاهش دیده و از وحشت لرزیده… pic.twitter.com/MaQDiwkXRL
He called on workers in key sectors, including transport, oil, gas, and energy, to begin a nationwide strike aimed at cutting off the state’s financial lifelines.
“Our goal is no longer merely to come to the streets; the goal is to prepare for seizing the centers of cities and holding them,” he wrote, according to an online translation of his original Arabic text.
“To achieve this goal, move toward the more central parts of the cities from different routes as much as possible and connect separate crowds. At the same time, prepare now to stay in the streets and gather the necessary supplies.”
He said he was preparing to return to Iran, adding that he believed change was “very near”.
I had to flee Iran – but those I left behind have a fighting chance of freedom
07:45 , Shahana YasminAs I watch protesters risk everything by taking to the streets, I believe the regime is collapsing under the weight of its own cruelty – but my brave countryfolk urgently need the UK’s support, says British-Iranian dissident Vahid Beheshti
I had to flee Iran – but those I left behind have a fighting chance of freedom
Trump warns Iran 'we’ll start shooting’ if protesters are targeted
07:30 , Shahana YasminDonald Trump warned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the US will “start shooting” if demonstrators in Iran are targeted by government forces.
Trump said that the head of the Islamic Republic is “looking to go someplace” to escape, adding that Iran is on the “verge of collapse”.
“Nobody’s ever seen anything like what’s happening right now, but I have put Iran on notice that if they start shooting at them – these people are totally unarmed people, and they love their country,” he said in an interview with Sean Hannity for Fox News.
“They want something to happen. Look at their country. They’ve gone back 150 years. But I’ve warned them that if they do anything bad to these people, we’re going to hit them very hard. I’ve said it very loud and very clear, that’s what we’re going to do.”
He later warned Iran’s leaders that they “better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too”.
Pictured: Internet blackout drags on as Iran protests
07:17 , Shahana Yasmin This Iranian uprising could be as pivotal as the French Revolution
06:30 , Shahana YasminIran’s Islamic regime looks to be tottering. In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to express their anger at worsening economic conditions, sparked by international sanctions that have seen their currency collapse and the cost of basic goods shoot up.
At least 38 protesters demanding regime change have been killed so far in violent clashes with police, and 2,200 arrested. Faced with what is fast becoming one of the biggest challenges ever to Iran and its clerical leadership, the ayatollahs – in a rare moment of weakness – pulled the plug on the internet, as government buildings in Tehran were set on fire.
Of course, the Islamic Republic has survived protest waves in the past. In 2009, allegations of election fraud sparked massive street protests and a hugely brutal response by Ayatollah Khamenei’s security forces. In 2022, more than 500 people were reportedly killed in protests after the death in police custody of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for refusing to wear the obligatory headscarf.
But this time, it feels different, writes Mark Almond
This Iranian uprising could be as pivotal as the French Revolution
Marco Rubio voices support for Iran protesters
06:15 , Shahana YasminUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed support for protesters in Iran, amid a wave of nationwide protests over worsening economic conditions.
“The United States supports the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The United States supports the brave people of Iran
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 10, 2026
Protests that began on 28 December have spread across multiple cities, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the clerical leadership and calling for political change.
Authorities have responded with force in some areas and imposed a nationwide internet and telephone blackout, limiting communication and independent reporting on events inside the country.
Regime change in Iran would be welcome
06:00 , Shahana YasminIran’s unremittingly harsh leadership faces one of the most serious challenges to its theocratic rule since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979. After weeks of nationwide protests, the ayatollahs’ spell could soon be broken – which is how counter-revolutions begin, and governments fall
Regime change in Iran would be welcome
Rights groups say Iran’s internet blackout hides abuses
05:50 , Shahana YasminSeveral rights and press freedom organisations have condemned Iran’s ongoing nationwide internet blackout amid protests, saying it violates fundamental rights and hinders independent reporting.
Rebecca White, a researcher at Amnesty’s Security Lab, said: “The Iranian authorities have once again deliberately blocked internet access inside Iran to hide the true extent of the grave human rights violations and crimes under international law they are carrying out..This blanket internet shutdown not only hides human rights violations but amounts to a serious human rights violation in itself.”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed “deep concern” for Iranian journalists, citing the nationwide blackout, threats against reporters and recent arrests.
“This increasingly intimidating climate cannot be tolerated,” Jonathan Dagher, head of RSF’s Middle East desk said, calling for the immediate restoration of telecommunications and the release of 24 detained journalists.
What you need to know about the protests in Iran
05:00 , Shahana YasminBuildings, buses, and shops have been burned to the ground turning Iran’s capital Tehran into a “war zone” as protests break out across the country demanding the fall of the country’s supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khameini.
This unrest follows a tumultuous period for Tehran, which is still recovering from a 12-day conflict in June, initiated by Israel, that saw US forces bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.
Here’s what to know about the protests and the challenges facing Iran’s government.
What is happening in Iran? Internet blackout and Israel blamed after mass protests