-Iran’s Attorney-General Warns of Death Penalties Amid Protests
- Protests sweeping across Iran neared the two-week mark saturday, with the country's government acknowledging the ongoing demonstrations despite an intensifying crackdown and as the Islamic Republic remains cut...
- With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult.
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali khamenei has signaled a coming clampdown, despite U.S.
Protests sweeping across Iran neared the two-week mark saturday, with the country’s government acknowledging the ongoing demonstrations despite an intensifying crackdown and as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. But the death toll in the protests has grown to at least 72 people killed, with over 2,300 others detained, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists news agency. Iranian state TV is reporting on security force casualties while portraying control over the nation.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali khamenei has signaled a coming clampdown, despite U.S. warnings. Tehran escalated its threats Saturday, with the Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warning that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an “enemy of God,” a death-penalty charge. The statement carried by Iranian state television said even those who “helped rioters” would face the charge.
“Prosecutors must carefully and without delay,by issuing indictments,prepare the grounds for the trial and decisive confrontation with those who,by betraying the nation and creating insecurity,seek foreign domination over the country,” the statement read. “Proceedings must be conducted without leniency, compassion or indulgence.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned on Saturday that safeguarding security was a ‘red line’ and the military vowed to protect public property, as the clerical establishment stepped up efforts to quell the most widespread protests in years.
Reuters
U.S. secretary of State Marco Rubio offered support for the protesters.
“The United states supports the brave people of Iran,” Rubio wrote Saturday on the social platform X.The State Department separately warned: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
State TV split-screen highlights Iran’s challenge
Table of Contents
Saturday marks the start of the work week in Iran, but many schools and universities
Iran Protests Continue with Planned Demonstrations & Internet Restrictions (January 10, 2026)
The protests in Iran, initially sparked by economic concerns, are continuing with further demonstrations planned for Saturday and Sunday, despite significant government restrictions on data access. As of January 10, 2026, the situation remains volatile.
Internet Shutdown & media Access
Iran’s government implemented a widespread internet shutdown and restricted international telephone calls on Thursday,impacting access to information for citizens and limiting external reporting. Qatar-based Al Jazeera remains one of the few major foreign news organizations able to report live from within Iran.Source: Reuters – as of Jan 10,2026,this remains consistent with reporting from late 2023/early 2024
Calls for Protest & Symbolism
Exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi has been actively calling for protests,urging demonstrators to utilize Iran’s historical lion-and-sun flag and other national symbols associated with the pre-1979 monarchy. He aims to encourage protesters to “claim public spaces.”[Source:AssociatedPress-[Source:AssociatedPress-[Source:AssociatedPress-[Source:AssociatedPress-reporting consistent as of Jan 10, 2026](https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-reza-pahlavi-shah-699999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999