Mass demonstrations in Tehran continued into early morning on January 9, with large crowds answering an 8pm call to protest by the country's exiled former crown prince. Fresh clashes in some districts have been captured on video by bne IntelliNews, along with reports of expanding strikes and an ongoing internet blackout that has obscured the full picture for the past hour. 

Amid the protests, US President Donald Trump has warned Iranian authorities they will "pay hell" if they kill protesters as demonstrations entered their 12th day on January 8, US media reported.

"They know, and they've been told very strongly that if they do that, they're going to have to pay hell," Trump said. Addressing Iranians, he added, "You should feel strongly about freedom. There's nothing like freedom. You're brave people. It's a shame what's happened to your country."

At least 47 protesters have been killed by security forces during the demonstrations, according to human rights organisation HRANA, which has verified some of the deaths, including that of Saeed Tavakollian in Shiraz.

Dozens more have been wounded by gunfire and rushed to hospitals across several cities with several government buildings set alight in cities across the country as protests continue to grow through the night.

Protesters in Mashhad moved toward the state broadcaster building on January 8 as demonstrations intensified.

Security forces responded with live fire, though witnesses reported that officers largely retreated when confronted by demonstrators.

Buses used to transport security personnel were set ablaze at Seh Rah Rahnamayi intersection, whilst motorcycles belonging to officers were burned in Ahmadabad district.

Internet and telephone services were cut in Mashhad as protests escalated. Large crowds gathered in Tehran's Nabovat Square and Sadeghiyeh district, with some chanting monarchist slogans following calls from opposition figure and former crown prince Reza Pahlavi.

A January 2026 Atlantic Council piece on Iran protests recommends: “Pause all major non-protest-related policy initiatives. Now is not the time for renewed nuclear negotiations or military strikes.”

The same article says US policy should “reaffirm support for the Iranian people as a centrepiece of a more comprehensive approach to its Iran policy,” making protest support the priority in the current context.

German MP Norbert Roettgen said Europeans should support Iranian protesters. "In the face of the courage of these people, one can only have the deepest respect," he wrote whilst sharing protest footage.

Protests also occurred in Anzali and other cities across Iran following the opposition call for demonstrations on January 8.