10.01.2026 17:10
In the ongoing protests in Iran, the municipal building in the city of Karaj and the Al-Rasul Mosque in the capital Tehran were set on fire. Protesters chanted "Death to Khamenei," targeting Iran's religious leader Ali Khamenei. In a statement made yesterday, the religious leader said, "There is no tolerance for the rebels; Iran will not back down from its principles."
Protests that began against the rising cost of living in Iran on December 28 and quickly spread across the country, turning into violent incidents, continued on the 13th day. A municipal building in the city of Karaj and the Al-Rasul Mosque located in the Saadat Abad neighborhood of the capital Tehran were set on fire.
AT LEAST 50 PROTESTERS AND 15 SECURITY PERSONNEL HAVE DIED
Protesters in Tehran targeted Iranian religious leader Ali Khamenei, chanting "Death to Khamenei." The internet monitoring group Netblocks reported that internet outages across Iran have been ongoing for 36 hours. According to the U.S.-based Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 50 protesters and 15 security personnel have died since the protests began on December 28, and 2,311 people have been detained.
"THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO CREATE ANOTHER CONSPIRACY UNDER THE PRETEXT OF SUPPORTING THE IRANIAN PEOPLE"
In a statement from the Iranian army, it was said, "The army, under the command of the Supreme Leader, will not only monitor enemy movements alongside other armed forces but will also resolutely protect and secure national interests, the country's strategic infrastructure, and public property." The statement continued, "Today, the enemy is trying to disrupt order and tranquility in the cities and undermine the country's public security through another conspiracy, with the support of the guilty Zionist regime (Israel) and enemy terrorist groups. The same enemy, whose hands are stained with the blood of this nation's children during the 12-day war, is now trying to create another conspiracy under the pretext of supporting the Iranian people. The Islamic Republic of Iran Army calls on the brave and conscious people of Iran to remain vigilant and wise."
KHAMENEI'S RESPONSE TO PROTESTERS
Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement regarding the protests yesterday, said, "There are rebels who want to please U.S. President Trump by damaging public property. Trump should look at the problems in his own country; there is no tolerance for rebels. Iran will not step back from its principles."
Khamenei continued:
"Our nation does not tolerate mercenaries for foreigners. No matter who you are, when you become a mercenary for a foreigner, when you work for a foreign country, that country will consider you rejected.
"TRUMP WILL FALL"
That person (Trump), who arrogantly judges the whole world, should also know that generally, the cruel and arrogant powers of the world, such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Reza Khan, Muhammad Reza, and similar figures, have fallen precisely at the peak of their pride. He will also fall."
U.S. SUPPORT MESSAGE TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a post on the social media platform X, "The United States supports the brave people of Iran."
REZA PAHLAVI: I AM PREPARING TO RETURN TO IRAN
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's deposed leader Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was exiled in 1979, expressed his continued support for the protesters in Iran in his latest statement. Pahlavi said, "Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets; our goal is to prepare to seize the city centers and keep them under control." Pahlavi also called on workers and employees in key sectors of the economy, especially in transportation, oil, natural gas, and energy sectors, to start a nationwide strike. Pahlavi stated that he is preparing to return to Iran.