Anti-government slogans were heard again in Iran during the commemoration of the dead
Iran held memorial services for those killed during mass protests that were brutally suppressed in late 2025. Several cities across the country saw renewed clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
In Abadan, people took to the streets with flowers and photographs of the dead, chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and shouting their support for the monarchy. Videos shared on social media show the crowd scattering after the sound of gunshots. In Mashhad, protesters chanted that one person killed meant thousands standing behind him.
On the same day, an official memorial ceremony was held at the Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran. Participants held Iranian flags and portraits of the deceased, chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. High-ranking officials, including Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Esmail Qaani, spoke at the event. According to Qaani, those who supported the organisers of the protests and the so-called terrorists will face consequences.
Mass protests in Iran began in December 2025 for economic reasons, but later took on a political character and spread throughout the country. Eyewitnesses and human rights organisations reported the use of firearms against demonstrators and the blocking of the internet and mobile communications by order of the authorities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on 23 January that 3,117 people had been killed during the protests, of whom 2,427 were civilians and security forces personnel. He described the rest of the victims as terrorists. At the same time, independent human rights organisations cite significantly higher figures. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates the death toll at over 7,000, most of whom, according to their data, are protesters.
